Karen MacKenzie

Senior Talent Advisor @ Softchoice | Certified Internet Recruiter

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

About

As a seasoned technical Talent Acquisition Advisor, I bring a wealth of expertise in sourcing both technical and non-technical talent, with experience recruiting across diverse industries. My passion lies in connecting exceptional candidates with their dream roles, and helping organizations grow their teams by providing them with industry leading talent. Areas of Expertise: Specialty Sales: Attracting candidates with expertise in customer solutions, who excel in helping customers optimize IT and drive business innovation through comprehensive services in Managed/Professional Services, Business Consulting, Applications and Data, Collaboration and Productivity, Modern Infrastructure, and Security. IT/Sales, & Business Development,: Navigating the competitive tech sales landscape to uncover the perfect match in both the Commercial and Enterprise customer segments. Demand Generation, Digital Marketing/Brand Management: Spotting brand evangelists who ignite growth and develop world class marketing and event plans. My strength lies in forging meaningful connections with candidates, hiring managers, and industry influencers. I believe that recruitment is not just about filling positions; it’s about building lasting partnerships. I thrive on challenges and consistently exceed expectations. Whether it’s time-to-fill, quality of hire, or candidate satisfaction, I aim for excellence and seek to bring a diverse pool of candidates to the hiring table every time. Assessing skills goes beyond checkboxes. I delve deep to understand not only technical competencies but also cultural fit and long-term potential.

Experience

  • Softchoice (9 yrs 10 mos)
    • Senior Talent Advisor
      Oct 2016 - Present · 9 yrs 10 mos

    • Senior Talent Advisor
      Oct 2016 - Present · 9 yrs 10 mos

      Softchoice is one of the largest IT solutions and managed services providers in North America! We are an influential, growth-oriented organization determined to enable our people, our clients, our partners and the communities we serve to realize their potential. Our unique culture fosters a friendly, open-minded workplace where employees are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work. From in-person consultations to advanced solution design, delivery and implementation services, we’re redefining the level of service customers have come to expect from a trusted technology advisor like Softchoice. Responsible for partnering with hiring managers to source, assess and advise on top quality candidates for both technical and non-technical roles to support areas of the business such as Solutions & Services, Sales/Support, Marketing, Operations, and Finance.

    • Talent Acquisition Consultant
      Nov 2016 - Apr 2017 · 6 mos

      Responsible for partnering with hiring managers to source, assess and advise on top quality candidates for both technical and non-technical roles to support areas of the business such as Sales/Support, Marketing, Operations, and Finance. Advised and partnered with hiring managers on full-cycle recruitment, collaborated on job details, and advised on effective candidate assessments Delivered end-to-end search on active roles, including developing job-based recruitment strategies Performed phone screens, compiled shortlists of candidates, conducted and lead the interview process, managed debrief discussions and coordinated the offer process Demonstrated high quality service and provided client service excellence to all candidates Used a variety of sourcing methods to continually build and maintain a robust talent pool – including Linked IN, Indeed, referrals and networking Compiled Weekly Hiring Manager Tracking reports to provide stakeholders with up to date recruitment information

  • Talent Acquisition Team Lead (Contracted to Softchoice) at AMS
    Apr 2023 - May 2024 · 1 yr 2 mos

  • HirePower Inc. (13 yrs)
    • Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant
      May 2010 - Apr 2023 · 13 yrs

      We are Leaders in HR consulting. HirePower offers seamless partnership to our Clients, like no other professional services relationship you’ve ever experienced. We work in a highly integrated way with your organization to leverage the strengths of both companies – and to help you achieve competitive advantage in the marketplace. Clients I have supported through my career with HirePower: Softchoice November 2016-May 2017, May 2018-December 2019, May 2021-April 2022 Algonquin Power & Utilities May 2017-May 2018 Loblaw Companies Limited May 2010-November 2016 In both of these engagements I have been fortunate enough to become an integrated member of their world class Talent Teams and provided focused, onsite support on a number of different roles supporting a variety of Business Units. These include Operations, Finance, Marketing, Brands, Merchandising, Legal and Properties (Real Estate)

    • Maternity Leave
      Jan 2020 - May 2021 · 1 yr 5 mos

  • Talent Acquisition Consultant (Contracted through HirePower Inc) at Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.
    May 2017 - Apr 2018 · 1 yr

    With over 60 combined power generation facilities and utilities in Canada and the United States, a career at Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. is an opportunity to work for a growing renewable energy and regulated utility company recognized for operational excellence. It’s being part of a team that is committed to delivering long-term value to our investors, customers, governments, business partners and the communities in which we do business. We are dedicated to providing exciting, challenging, and rewarding work opportunities because at Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., our people are the heart of our company and the key to our success and growth as a business.

  • Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist at Loblaw Companies Limited
    May 2010 - Oct 2016 · 6 yrs 6 mos

    Developed and cultivated strong relationships with both HR Business Partners and Hiring Managers to build effective sourcing and assessment strategies on opportunities across Merchandising, Brands, Quality Assurance, Marketing, Procurement, Legal and Properties Business Units Actively lead the recruitment process and consistently demonstrated exceptional communication with Hiring Managers, candidates, and colleagues. Provided candidates and Hiring Managers with a extraordinary experience throughout the entire recruitment process Managed full cycle recruitment for 20+ requisitions; created robust recruitment strategies, sourced, screened candidates and managed the coordination of interviews, references and offer letters Partnered closely with Senior Level Business partners to develop recruitment strategies that targeted difficult to find, passive talent and identified pipeline candidates to consider for future needs in critical opportunities Ensured all recruitment administration was consistently and accurately completed, including recruitment folders, intake/candidate notes and recruitment metrics and reports