Leyla Surkhayzade
Baku,
Summary
Experienced Career Coach and Strategic Leader with over 10 years of expertise in HR, Career Advising, Recruitment, Training, and Coaching. Demonstrated success in Full-Cycle Recruitment and Talent Acquisition, as well as Cross-Cultural Leadership. Achieved a remarkable $80,000 fundraising milestone for Mevzu, resulting in notable industry awards. Proven ability to cultivate networking partnerships and lead multinational teams to success through agile project management and impactful coaching.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Career Coach
Randstand Enterprise
Baku
11.2023 - Current
- Appointed to deliver services to participants of Randstad RiseSmart as a freelance career coach.
- I coach participants as they move through career transitions within their current organization or to their next opportunity, whether that is a new job, career change or creative retirement.
- Leveraging my knowledge of the local job market, I help participants discover their focus, plan their transition strategy and execute it.
- I am a key member of a career mobility team partnered with other Randstad RiseSmart service providers, including branding experts and job concierges.
Co-Founder / Chief of Staff
Mevzu
Istanbul
09.2021 - 09.2023
- Raised 80.000 USD angel investment from family, friends and professional network in 1.5 years for Mevzu App. Mevzu team got Felis MediaCat Awards on Data-Driven Product (2022) and Istanbul Marketing Awards on Mobile Application Development (2022)
• Led cross-functional strategic initiatives, facilitated special projects, and ensure action items are executed
• Operated at a tactical, strategic, and operational level, handled the oversight of projects that did not neatly fit within the organizational chart or that fell between departments or leadership areas of responsibility
• Acted as an extension of the Founder and information funnel, filter, and facilitator with internal and external stakeholders
• Assessed all inquiries directed to the Founder, determined priority and the proper course of action
• Promoted team integration as well as cross-functional communication and collaboration
• Managed key relationships and built a process to track and nurture key stakeholders, investors, and clients
• Tracked high priority initiatives for the Founder to identify any/potential obstacles
• Provided analysis, recommendations, and options to the Founder regarding high impact decisions
Freelance Recruiter
Benefit Systems Türkiye
Istanbul
09.2021 - 05.2023
- Led full-cycle recruitment processes for diverse roles, including Sales, Marketing, IT, and Administration, and completed the hiring process for 30+ employees for the company which newly started its operations in Istanbul.
- Reviewed employment applications, candidate backgrounds, skills, compensation needs, and other qualifications, and created case studies for assessment.
- Built and maintained strong talent pipelines by engaging with passive candidates by strategically using social media, professional networks, and CRM tools.
- Collaborated closely with the Country Director to ensure alignment between staffing needs and organizational goals while delivering a seamless candidate experience.
- Managed recruitment strategies, ensuring the hiring process was efficient, quality-focused, and responsive to organizational needs.
Training and Development Manager
EREB GLOBAL
Istanbul
03.2020 - 08.2021
- Managed training programs aimed at improving employee performance across departments, ensuring alignment with business goals.
- Led cross-functional teams to develop and implement training solutions for operational roles, ensuring that talent was prepared for dynamic, high-pressure work environments in the real estate market in Istanbul.
IT Recruitment Consultant
Talentra Recruitment Agency
Istanbul
05.2019 - 01.2020
- Sourced and recruited candidates for technical roles, contributing to talent acquisition for a rapidly growing agency.
- Streamlined recruitment operations, using digital marketing and social media platforms to attract top-tier talent in a competitive field.
- Coordinated with internal stakeholders to refine recruitment strategies, optimizing time-to-hire and enhancing candidate engagement.
JST Fellow
THE JOHN SMITH TRUST
London
06.2019 - 07.2019
- The John Smith Trust seeks to promote good governance, social justice and the rule of law by nurturing a new generation of leaders committed to making a difference in their countries and societies
- The JST Fellowship Programme is a unique and potentially life-changing opportunity
- It offers exceptional individuals the chance to explore issues of good governance, social justice and the rule of law in an intensive four-week programme in the UK
- The Programme includes a week in Scotland and three weeks in London
- Fellows participate in workshops, debates and visits with senior leaders and high-level experts
- Each Fellow also has a programme of meetings tailored to their particular area of interest, which is reinforced by follow-up mentoring and support
- I successfully completed the UK programme and became a part of the distinguished network of JST alumni of over 500 Fellows spanning over 20 countries.
Career Center Director
Code Academy
Baku
12.2017 - 02.2019
- Spearheaded the establishment of the Career Center, driving recruitment processes for students transitioning into the workforce.
- Built relationships with employers, conducted job fairs, and developed internship programs to ensure seamless integration of graduates into the job market.
- Provided strategic career coaching and advisory services, helping individuals navigate the job market and secure roles in top organizations.
Apprenticeship Challenge Fellow
The DO School
Rio De Janeiro
03.2017 - 04.2018
- Westerwelle Foundation, Sinal do Vale and the DO School challenged 20 fellows to develop innovative ways to promote apprenticeships or vocational training to reduce global youth unemployment and create a sustainable future
- The solution that I co-created with the other 19 Fellows during the Challenge Lab helped enable local businesses to train young people on the job, focusing on the importance of continuous skill-based training
Social Media & Communications Manager
SOCAR
Baku
02.2017 - 12.2017
- Administrate the creation and publishing of relevant, original, high- quality content;
- Identify and improve organizational development aspects that would improve content;
- Implement a content editorial calendar to manage content and plan specific, timely PR/Marketing campaigns
Co-Founder, HR Training Manager
GR8
Baku, Azerbaijan
04.2015 - 12.2017
- Recruiting staff, which involves developing job descriptions and person specifications,preparing job adverts, checking application forms, shortlisting, interviewing and selecting candidates;
- Developing and implementing policies on issues like working conditions, performance management, equal opportunities, disciplinary procedures and absence management;
- Dealing with grievances and implementing disciplinary procedures, developing HR planning strategies, which consider immediate and long-term staff requirements;
- Analyzing training needs in conjunction with departmental managers; planning and delivering training - including inductions for new staff.
Workforce Training Specialist
Baku
10.2014 - 03.2015
- Coordinated and delivered training for volunteers during the 2015 European Games, ensuring high-quality preparation for event-specific roles.
- Managed logistics for large-scale events, aligning recruitment and staffing needs with operational requirements to ensure smooth execution.
- Customized and developed training materials for the 2015 European Games, test events, and other major activities, ensuring relevance and effectiveness in preparing staff and volunteers for the event.
- Prepared, edited, and ensured the quality of training materials, delivering polished content that met the highest standards for clarity and effectiveness.
- Collaborated on the design and layout of training materials, including presentations, handouts, and visual aids, ensuring they were engaging and accessible for diverse audiences.
- Created comprehensive training aids (PowerPoint presentations, flip charts, handouts, etc.) to facilitate learning and improve understanding for volunteers and staff.
- Delivered impactful training sessions to Baku 2015 volunteers, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their roles during the event.
Project Coordinator & Trainer
UNDP
Baku, Azerbaijan
10.2014 - 03.2015
- Led the selection process for project participants, ensuring alignment with project criteria and goals.
- Trained individuals using the SYSLAB methodology, driving skill development and participant success.
- Provided regular progress updates to stakeholders and summarized results in detailed reports.
- Organized job fairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor, supporting participants in securing employment.
- Coordinated Project Management Team events, including workshops and stakeholder meetings.
- Assisted with financial management, ensuring compliance with UNDP standards and national regulations.
- Delivered general administrative support to ensure smooth project operations.
Education
Alumni - Entrepreneurship
Founder Institute
Palo Alto, California, United States03.2022
Professional Coach - The Art & Science of Coaching
Erickson Coaching International
Vancouver, Canada04.2019
Bachelor of Science - Human Resources Management
Eastern Mediterranean University
Turkish Republic Of Northern Cyprus06.2013
Bachelor of Science - American Studies
Baku State University
Azerbaijan01.2010
Skills
- Networking and Partnership Development
- Full-Cycle Recruitment & Talent Acquisition
- Cross-Cultural Leadership & Multinational Team Management
- Project Management & Strategic Planning
- Conflict Management
- Coaching
- Teaching
- Training
- Agile Methodologies
- Project Management
Languages
Turkish
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Russian
Advanced (C1)
C1
Spanish
Elementary (A2)
A2
Timeline
Career Coach
Randstand Enterprise
11.2023 - Current
Co-Founder / Chief of Staff
Mevzu
09.2021 - 09.2023
Freelance Recruiter
Benefit Systems Türkiye
09.2021 - 05.2023
Training and Development Manager
EREB GLOBAL
03.2020 - 08.2021
JST Fellow
THE JOHN SMITH TRUST
06.2019 - 07.2019
IT Recruitment Consultant
Talentra Recruitment Agency
05.2019 - 01.2020
Career Center Director
Code Academy
12.2017 - 02.2019
Apprenticeship Challenge Fellow
The DO School
03.2017 - 04.2018
Social Media & Communications Manager
SOCAR
02.2017 - 12.2017
Co-Founder, HR Training Manager
GR8
04.2015 - 12.2017
Workforce Training Specialist
Baku
10.2014 - 03.2015
Project Coordinator & Trainer
UNDP
10.2014 - 03.2015
Alumni - Entrepreneurship
Founder Institute
Professional Coach - The Art & Science of Coaching
Erickson Coaching International
Bachelor of Science - Human Resources Management
Eastern Mediterranean University
Bachelor of Science - American Studies
Baku State University
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