Episode SummaryWhat does it take to move Talent Acquisition (TA) from a back-office function to a core driver of business strategy? In this episode of Built by People, Dave D’Angelo sits down with Trent Cotton, Head of Talent Insights and Analyst Relations at ICIMS, to explore that very transformation.
With 20+ years in HR across high-growth organizations and now a leader in workforce analytics, Trent shares how TA leaders can speak the language of the business, build executive buy-in, and make data-driven decisions that influence growth. From internal mobility and TA tech adoption to forming high-trust relationships with CIOs, Trent offers real-world examples and tactical advice for HR professionals ready to elevate their impact.
Whether you're a TA leader, HR strategist, or tech executive, this conversation offers a blueprint for aligning talent strategy with business success.
Key Timestamps
[00:45] – Trent’s career journey from banking to HR leadership
[03:07] – Transitioning from traditional HR to thought leadership at ICIMS
[04:36] – Turning recruiting from reactive to strategic through market insights
[06:34] – Bridging the gap between TA and CIOs with business acumen
[08:23] – How to drive TA tech adoption and avoid common implementation pitfalls
[10:25] – Tying TA investments to business results using revenue metrics
[11:35] – The case for internal mobility and preparing talent for the future of work
[13:19] – How Trent used agile practices to build trust and alignment with a CIO
Actionable Takeaways
Translate HR metrics into business impact – Show how KPIs like time-to-fill directly affect revenue targets.
Build executive trust early – Engage stakeholders at the beginning of TA tech evaluation to create internal champions.
Adopt agile practices in HR – Use sprints and planning cycles to stay aligned with fast-moving business needs.
Elevate internal talent – Leverage your internal applicant data to reskill and redeploy instead of defaulting to external hires.
Speak the business’s language – Swap TA jargon for business outcomes when communicating with CIOs and executives.
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