Candice Taylor Email and Phone Number

VP of People at Kite, reporting directly to CEO Rob Solomon (former CEO of GoFundMe), I led Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, and IT for a 100% remote organization.Backed by Blackstone and Juxtapose, Kite is creating a new “every channel” commerce platform, designed from the ground up to support digital-first consumer product brands in developing the infrastructure and technologies they need to scale their businesses to customers across e-commerce, social, retail, and more. We leverage AI and the API economy to build a modern technology stack that will drive manufacturing, supply chain, design, and customer acquisition excellence at scale. Creating radical efficiencies across a product’s commerce journey is the path to unlocking its greatest potential. Kite is reimagining how products are made, moved, stored, shipped and sold—at scale. As more products utilize the platform, the more the platform adapts and learns. As a result, the smarter and more transformational it becomes—with efficiencies at every turn—to intelligently scale the brands that we find, buy and scale, or otherwise support.

Led a dynamic remote team in the FinTech space, steering the talent acquisition strategy towards future-ready directions and robust infrastructure. I led the transformation of our ATS using Greenhouse, optimizing recruitment processes for efficiency and effectiveness. By integrating the Gem platform, I refined our talent sourcing and engagement strategies and overhauled the interview process to align with Orum’s culture and core values.I spearheaded the design and architecture of our employer branding efforts, including an overhaul of the careers page and enhancement of the company's LinkedIn presence. Additionally, I led DE&I efforts, integrating diversity goals into our recruitment DNA, ensuring that our hiring practices were inclusive and reflective of our commitment to diversity.To further improve our talent evaluation processes, I launched a comprehensive interview training program, ensuring unbiased and thorough assessments of candidates. I also established rigorous pipeline metrics, enhancing hiring precision and candidate satisfaction. As a result, we improved our candidate satisfaction score by 33%, contributing to our overall success in attracting and retaining top talent in the FinTech space.

At ChowNow, I reported directly to the CEO, leading the talent acquisition and operations team during the pivotal Series B and C phases. My efforts drove an impressive 1100% organizational growth, expanding the staff to 650 employees and aligning talent strategies with strategic financial objectives. I played a critical role in designing and institutionalizing ChowNow's core values, ensuring alignment with organizational culture and business strategy for a cohesive work environment. Additionally, I directed the design and architecture of our employer branding efforts, including overhauling the careers page and enhancing the company's LinkedIn presence, which significantly boosted visibility and attracted top talent.I led executive staffing strategies at ChowNow, focusing on talent identification and direct recruiting. Collaborating with elite executive search firms, I enhanced recruitment outcomes and pioneered negotiation and offer strategies to ensure alignment with the company's strategic goals. Managing an 8-member team of talent and operations professionals, we consistently surpassed quarterly recruitment goals, achieving a 92% offer acceptance rate through effective leadership and strategic oversight. As a member of the steering committee for selecting ChowNow's first regional office, I was chosen to relocate and lead the team build. I successfully established operational foundations, staffed the office with high-performing teams, and spearheaded regional growth initiatives. I also initiated and led a Diversity Recruiting strategy, achieving 50% female representation and over 50% BIPOC representation across the organization, fostering an inclusive workplace. Furthermore, I developed and implemented interview training programs focusing on unconscious bias and EEOC compliance, enhancing the fairness and effectiveness of the hiring process and ensuring regulatory adherence.

Oversaw Executive, Tech, R&D, G&A, and Sales Recruiting for a high-growth SaaS startup, driving comprehensive talent acquisition strategies across diverse departments. Managed a dedicated team of three, including a Technical Recruiter and a Recruiting Coordinator, ensuring seamless recruitment processes. Implemented a values-based STAR interview process, which effectively reduced time-to-fill by 33%.Launched key Recruiting KPIs and introduced a candidate survey, achieving an impressive 4.8 Glassdoor interview rating. Developed a successful Referral program that contributed to 20% of company hires, enhancing employee engagement and sourcing efficiency. Collaborated closely with the CFO and executive team to facilitate quarterly Executive workforce planning sessions, providing expert guidance on market compensation, timelines, and Recruiting resources.

•First in-house Recruiter, managing full-cycle recruitment for various departments.•Implemented Applicant Tracking System (Lever) and collaborative recruiting processes.•Hired over 80 employees with a 90% acceptance rate.

•Built Dallas and Seattle teams from scratch, focusing on Sales, Leadership, and Engineering for AmazonLocal (daily deals platform), PrimeNow (restaurant platform), and Amazon Destinations (OTA).•Exceeded hiring goals, refining recruitment processes for efficiency and optimal candidate experience.

•Provided HR leadership and oversight for over 400 employees to our largest client, Amazon.•Administered benefits and managed internal investigations, streamlining processes organization-wide.•Developed an employee relations program, setting a benchmark for national rollout.

•Managed full-cycle recruitment for diverse roles, exceeding yearly goals by $100,000.•Selected to support onsite recruiting for our highest profile client, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

•Served 7 major clients, providing employee relations support to 300+ field employees including coaching, counseling and terminating. Fielded questions regarding payroll, benefits, assignment length and pay increases.•Managed workers' compensation and assisted in resume building and redeployment.•Awarded Employee of the Year in 2011.