Sr. Talent Acquisition Leader Culture Builder

Jenny Hooker-Drewery

Sr. Talent Acquisition Leader Builder of Scalable, Inclusive Hiring Systems Culture Strategist

*********@*****.*** 662-***-**** New Albany, MS LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jenny-hooker-drewery

Professional Summary

Visionary and hands-on Talent Acquisition Leader with over a decade of experience driving recruitment strategy, operational transformation, and team performance across complex, fast-moving environments. From revitalizing underperforming branches to scaling high-impact recruitment systems, I lead with clarity, creativity, and a deep commitment to people-first practices.

I’ve built, rebuilt, and expanded talent operations across sectors—delivering consistent results in candidate quality, time-to-fill, retention, and hiring efficiency. Known for my ability to energize teams, earn trust with executive stakeholders, and implement scalable solutions that align people strategy with business outcomes.

Core Competencies

- Talent Acquisition Strategy & Execution

- Leadership & Team Development

- Process Optimization & ATS Implementation

- Data-Driven Decision Making

- Employer Branding & Candidate Experience

- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives

- Workforce Planning & Executive Hiring

- Operational Turnaround & Client Engagement

Professional Experience

Transcend Consulting LLC — Talent Acquisition Strategist & People Partner

Mar 2020 – Feb 2025 Remote / MS

- Architected full-cycle hiring strategies across tech, GTM, and leadership roles—cutting time-to-fill by 80% and saving clients up to 40% in recruiting costs.

- Designed scalable sourcing pipelines and onboarding frameworks for startups, equipping lean teams with repeatable processes and inclusive hiring best practices.

- Elevated employer branding and outreach efforts, increasing qualified applicant flow by 35% and improving acceptance rates through targeted messaging.

- Led DEI-focused transformation initiatives, increasing underrepresented candidate pipelines by 25%.

- Coached founders and hiring managers on candidate assessment, structured interviewing, and leadership alignment.

- Built workforce forecasting models to align hiring strategy with business growth.

Ashley Furniture Industries — Recruiting Manager

Oct 2019 – Mar 2020 Ecru, MS & Tacoma, WA

- Directed hiring operations across 4 sites supporting over 3,000 employees—overseeing recruiters, interview specialists, and HR partners.

- Increased hiring effectiveness by 20% by aligning workforce planning with operations leadership.

- Reengineered recruiter performance metrics and pipeline visibility through ATS optimization.

- Reduced early attrition and improved candidate fit by enhancing role definition and onboarding experience.

- Led recruiter enablement efforts through coaching and SOP design.

- Spearheaded job fairs and rapid-response hiring events, improving employer brand in competitive markets.

EmployBridge, LLC — Regional Branch Manager, Talent Acquisition & Operations

Aug 2014 – Jan 2019 Mississippi Delta Market

- Directed 14 recruiters and account managers across 4 major on-site accounts and 2 branch offices, managing over 900 contingent associates.

- Generated $2M in new client revenue and ranked Top 12 nationwide in total revenue and profitability.

- Restructured a branch without formal leadership for 2 years—rebuilt team, improved client satisfaction, and returned operations to profitability.

- Improved workforce retention through engagement and referral bonus programs, reducing turnover below benchmarks for 3 quarters.

- Achieved 100% on-time payroll and fill rates through operational overhaul and cross-training.

- Led regional support for Memphis Metro divisions, driving recruitment strategy and client success.

- Prevented $25K+ in OSHA fines by advising on mock audit and improving workplace safety protocols.

Education & Certifications

- BBA, Management — Mississippi State University

- Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certification — University of South Florida

Tools & Platforms

ATS Platforms (SAP Fieldglass, Bullhorn, ADP), HRIS, Microsoft 365, G Suite, Trello, Slack, CRM, Boolean Search, OpenAI Tools

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