HR Impact Leader of the Year

About the category

HR Impact Leader of the Year is a premium individual category of the Recruitment Academy Awards, in which we recognize individuals with a demonstrable, measurable impact on HR and/or recruitment. Typically, this is a person who not only came up with an idea, but also managed to implement it across the company—and the results can be seen in data, processes, and people's behavior.

People in positions such as HR or Recruitment Leader/Manager/Director, Head of People, CHRO, etc. can be nominated for this category. It is also possible to nominate leaders outside of HR and recruitment (e.g., CEO, CIO, CMO, or other managers) if they have made a significant contribution to HR or recruitment activities and impact (e.g., pushed through a fundamental change, implemented AI into recruitment processes, ensured the adoption of new technologies, created conditions for scaling).

Methodology

In this category, we evaluate leaders and managers who have demonstrably advanced HR and/or recruitment through a combination of strategy, innovation, and execution. Recommended finalists are selected based on the following criteria:

Measurable impact: Demonstrable improvement in at least two metrics in the "before vs. after" period (e.g., time-to-hire, retention, engagement, cost per hire). Activity alone is not enough—results backed by data are key.
Innovation in approach: Original solutions (new process, program, automation/AI), not just the deployment of "another tool." The quality of the idea and how the solution addresses a specific problem are evaluated.
Execution and adoption: Successful implementation – people are using the solution, there is a visible change in behavior and an impact on results. This is not about a presentation or pilot without adoption, but about a functional change in real operation.
Leadership and collaboration: The ability to drive change across the company (managers, business, IT, finance) and move the HR team forward. The impact, work with stakeholders, communication, and ability to deliver change even in an environment of resistance or limited capacity are evaluated.

Selection process

You can nominate others or yourself. We recommend adding a document or presentation to your application that describes the impact and achievements of the HR leader in as much detail as possible. From the applicants, a panel of experts will select a shortlist of nominees for the next round and request further information. One winner will be selected from among them.

Application for the category is free of charge. The winner will be announced at a gala evening on April 23 at the Archa+ Theater.