Balancing innovation with the human side of hiring is shaping the future of talent acquisition. On this episode, host Ryan Dull is joined by Jeff Ollinger, Director, Talent Acquisition – Corporate and Campus, of Sun Life. They discuss Jeff’s career journey, the evolution of his role and the strategies Sun Life is deploying to strengthen both campus and experienced hiring. Jeff shares how his background in athletics and early career experiences led him into HR and TA, eventually shaping his leadership approach. He highlights the scope of Sun Life’s hiring operations, the company’s student conversion strategy and its focus on inclusion through specialized programs.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction.

02:36 Jeff shares how he became an accidental HR professional.

05:07 Jeff’s journey from RBC to the tech sector to broaden his campus recruitment work.

10:07 Sun Life hires 500–700 students annually, with a focus on full-time conversion.

13:45 Student recruitment is balanced all-year-round, not just in the summer.

18:03 Sun Life prioritizes manager and new hire satisfaction with a seamless experience.

20:12 Internal hiring is a priority for developing talent and filling senior roles.

22:14 AI is used to boost efficiency and insights, while decisions remain human-led.

25:10 Be open to unexpected career paths and new ways of doing business.

Resources Mentioned:

Jeff Ollinger

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffollinger

Sun Life | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sun-life-financial

Sun Life | Website

https://www.sunlife.com/en/

Dean Connor Inclusion Scholarship

https://www.sunlife.ca/en/careers/student-and-new-graduate-programs/scholarship-guidelines/

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