Dakotta — Global Program Manager | Program Management & Analytics

Current Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands | LinkedIn | Work Authorization: US & EU (Citizenship in both jurisdictions) | Contact

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Strategic Program Manager with 15+ years of experience leading global, cross-functional initiatives across talent acquisition, people systems, and organizational transformation. Proven expertise in program roadmap development, stakeholder management, process optimization, and data-driven decision-making. Track record of delivering measurable business impact across 20+ global markets through strategic alignment, resource optimization, and change management. Skilled in building real-time analytics dashboards, driving operational efficiency, and scaling inclusive initiatives aligned with organizational objectives.

CORE COMPETENCIES

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Global Program Manager

Booking.com | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Feb 2021 – Present

Led global cross-functional programs transforming talent acquisition and people systems into scalable, data-driven solutions across 20+ markets. Directed strategic program execution, resource allocation, and risk mitigation for complex organizational initiatives.

Key Achievements:

Transformed referral program into #2 global hiring source across 70+ countries, significantly increasing talent pipeline quality and internal hiring volume
Reduced time-to-hire by 35% and decreased manual recruiting effort through workflow automation, policy redesign, and process optimization
Built and maintained real-time analytics dashboards tracking program health, ROI metrics, and diversity KPIs—enabling data-driven decision-making for stakeholders across product, HR, marketing, and operations
Scaled inclusive, analytics-driven marketing campaigns by embedding Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) into campaign design, increasing candidate diversity representation
Developed modular engagement models aligned to global brand goals and business priorities across geographically distributed teams
Managed cross-functional teams across product, HR, marketing, and operations—ensuring seamless delivery, dependency management, and executive alignment
Executed global program roadmaps aligned with business priorities and 18-month growth targets

Global Program Manager – Operations

Booking.com | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Mar 2020 – Feb 2021

Led global programs modernizing talent acquisition systems and enhancing candidate experience during rapid digital transformation and scaled remote onboarding. Managed platform implementations and change initiatives supporting thousands of concurrent hires.

Key Achievements:

Rolled out CRM platforms (Phenom People, Eightfold) improving recruiter efficiency, funnel visibility, and global consistency across all regions
Launched company’s first Alumni Program, successfully reactivating 500+ past employees and expanding employer brand reach
Designed and delivered inaugural virtual onboarding program supporting 5,000+ new hires worldwide during pandemic transition
Developed scalable change management and risk mitigation frameworks ensuring compliance across multiple global projects
Led internal communications for major talent acquisition initiatives, crafting executive messaging and coordinating cross-team updates
Applied advanced analytics to identify and eliminate operational bottlenecks, enhancing overall performance and recruiter productivity
Managed complex program timelines coordinating collaboration across multiple departments using Monday.com, Trello, Lucidchart, and Miro

Global Recruitment Manager – Strategy, Analytics & Assessments

Booking.com | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Jul 2017 – Jul 2018

Recruited to modernize and scale global hiring systems supporting recruitment of 1,000+ Product & Tech professionals. Built executive dashboards and optimized omni-channel recruitment campaigns through data-driven analytics.

Key Achievements:

Pioneered Textio-driven job content optimization and A/B testing, significantly boosting candidate quality and pipeline diversity
Built executive dashboards using Google Data Studio, Looker, and Tableau tracking key funnel metrics including time-to-fill, cost-per-source, recruiter productivity, and channel performance
Consolidated multi-channel recruitment data to optimize job ad spend and engagement using conversion analytics and data-backed campaign decisions
Enhanced recruitment intelligence by surfacing trends that improved sourcing strategy, candidate experience, and hiring velocity
Led omni-channel recruitment campaigns across social, digital, and job boards, iterating based on real-time conversion metrics
Partnered with Talent Acquisition to align event strategies (virtual and in-person) with DEI objectives and business growth
Featured on Hired.com and HackerRank podcasts for innovative work in funnel optimization and recruitment analytics

Global Program Manager – Operations (Technology Stack)

Booking.com | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Jul 2018 – Sep 2019

Owned and optimized global people technology stack managing platforms including LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, HackerRank, Monster, GitHub, StackOverflow, and regional recruitment vendors worldwide.

Key Achievements:

Developed and launched global agency tracking system reducing recruitment agency spend by 50% while increasing in-house sourcing tool utilization by 90%
Led semi-annual RFPs and comprehensive vendor reviews delivering strategic cost savings and optimized resource allocation across all regions
Pioneered global rollout of Textio (AI-powered writing platform), removing biased language from job descriptions and advancing data-driven diversity recruitment
Designed and implemented detailed audit reports and dashboards providing senior leadership with actionable insights into tool adoption, process optimization, and sourcing performance
Trained global recruiting teams on tech stack best practices and resource optimization, enhancing analytical capabilities
Managed partnerships with global and country-specific recruitment agencies to reduce time-to-fill and improve quality metrics
Collaborated with People Analytics to deliver advanced Greenhouse reports informing data-driven hiring strategy

Internal Job Coach

Booking.com | Amsterdam, Netherlands (Hybrid) | Oct 2023 – Present

Certified internal coach supporting employees in aligning personal purpose with business outcomes. Delivered 1:1 and group coaching using Co-Active principles and Start With Why methodology.

Key Achievements:

Coached 30+ employees on purpose discovery, personal branding, and stakeholder alignment, boosting internal mobility and leadership visibility
Accelerated onboarding, cross-functional collaboration, and role clarity through targeted coaching interventions
Led skills development planning via SWOT analyses, stakeholder mapping, and tailored growth roadmaps
Partnered with HRBPs, PMOs, and senior leaders embedding coaching insights into broader talent programs and team strategies

Skills Applied: Coaching & Mentoring | Leadership Development | Stakeholder Alignment | Strategic Planning

Works Council Representative – Internal Communications

Booking.com (Ondernemingsraad) | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Nov 2021 – Sep 2025

Elected employee representative advocating for fair rights, working conditions, and employee well-being across Booking.com’s Dutch operations. Served as strategic bridge between staff and senior management, ensuring Dutch labor law compliance and promoting organizational transparency.

Key Achievements:

Collaborated with executive leadership and HR reviewing company-wide policy changes and benefit initiatives impacting thousands of staff
Led employee consultation rounds identifying key concerns and providing actionable recommendations influencing organizational decisions
Ensured legal compliance with Works Councils Act and Dutch labor law, strengthening employee trust in corporate processes
Played central role in crisis communication and change management during periods of significant organizational transformation
Successfully negotiated improvements in workplace conditions benefiting large, diverse workforce
Facilitated transparent communication between management and employees during restructuring initiatives

Ethics Mentor

Booking.com | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Jul 2018 – Feb 2025

Served as ethics ambassador facilitating ethics and compliance training sessions and providing guidance to employees on ethical and compliance concerns. Fostered organizational culture centered on integrity, transparency, and responsible decision-making.

Key Achievements:

Led interactive ethics training programs increasing awareness of company values and regulatory requirements
Acted as trusted point of contact for employees seeking advice on ethical dilemmas and compliance questions
Supported company-wide initiatives promoting ethical behaviors and consistent policy application
Collaborated with compliance and HR teams sharing employee feedback and improving ethics outreach

Skills Applied: Training & Development | Ethics Compliance | Employee Engagement | Communications

Interim Partner Marketing Program Manager

Booking.com | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Sep 2019 – Feb 2020

Led strategic partner marketing initiatives optimizing program delivery and streamlining operations. Acted as “voice of the partner” identifying gaps and improving engagement and execution.

Key Achievements:

Aligned partner marketing strategy with business goals through tactical and operational planning
Built and implemented systems to prioritize, track, and escalate partner marketing initiatives efficiently
Translated strategic vision into actionable plans driving commercial operations excellence
Managed program timelines, resources, and collaboration using TargetProcess and project management tools

Skills Applied: Program Management | Stakeholder Management | Strategic Planning | Operations Management

Recruitment Marketing Program Manager

Amazon | Greater Los Angeles Area | Jan 2016 – Dec 2016

Managed $21M+ strategic sourcing pipeline and recruitment marketing program leading team of five sourcers. Delivered 21 regionally customized high-volume talent acquisition campaigns across North America.

Key Achievements:

Orchestrated end-to-end recruitment marketing strategies across 21 sites enabling rapid workforce scaling and consistent achievement of hiring goals across diverse geographies
Forged strategic partnerships with diversity organizations to attract underrepresented talent including veterans, transitioning previously outsourced recruitment facilities in-house
Leveraged advanced prospecting and automation techniques optimizing candidate sourcing, pipeline efficiency, and recruiter productivity
Executed multi-channel marketing campaigns across billboards, radio, digital, social media, email, and local outreach boosting brand awareness and lead generation
Monitored industry trends and emerging technologies translating market intelligence into actionable sourcing strategies

Employer Branding Manager – Consultant

Grindr | Los Angeles Metropolitan Area | Jan 2014 – Dec 2015

Drove transformation into destination employer for top tech talent by designing and executing compelling Employer Value Proposition (EVP) and global employer branding strategies.

Key Achievements:

Architected company EVP and global employer brand building strong market positioning and digital presence attracting thousands of inbound talent leads
Developed and deployed multi-channel campaigns (digital, social media, tech events) amplifying backend engineering capabilities and sustaining engaged developer community
Launched and branded “Grindr Labs” as unique tech identity, securing features in VentureBeat and TheNewStack increasing brand visibility
Represented company as public speaker at industry events elevating thought leadership and employer reputation in global tech community
Organized tech talks and developed brand collateral coordinating executive participation
Collaborated on diversity initiatives integrating DEI principles into employer branding

Employer Branding Manager – Consultant

Mozilla | San Francisco Bay Area | Mar 2014 – Feb 2015

Led complete overhaul of Mozilla’s global Careers website and talent-facing social media presence. Integrated advanced social media branding and modern engagement strategies across global channels.

Key Achievements:

Redesigned employment brand and digital recruitment practices across global channels
Developed and launched tailored content campaigns on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Reddit dramatically increasing candidate reach and employer engagement
Orchestrated global collaboration with 13 offices and personnel in 30+ countries ensuring consistent, authentic content and local market adaptation
Leveraged Social Graph analysis, Semantic Web, and advanced ad platforms (Google, Facebook, Twitter Ads) maximizing campaign visibility and applicant flow
Produced multimedia-rich content (infographics, vlogs, CTAs) implementing performance-driven tactics delivering measurable growth in candidate attraction

Digital Marketing Consultant

SocialMediafy, Dome9 Security, TheNewStack.io, Redis Labs | San Francisco Bay Area | Mar 2014 – Jan 2016

Engaged as consultant for multiple SaaS and tech clients leading multi-channel digital marketing, recruitment marketing, and event activation initiatives driving brand growth and lead acquisition.

Key Achievements:

Developed multi-channel marketing strategies managing SEO, PPC, social media, and content programs boosting brand authority and lead generation
Led integrated marketing campaigns delivering 1,500+ marketing qualified leads (MQLs) in eight months
Built targeted lead generation and sales enablement programs expanding influence across major AWS ecosystem events globally
Drove digital marketing and event attendee acquisition optimizing multi-channel campaigns and landing pages

Skills Applied: Digital Marketing | Campaign Management | Lead Generation | Event Marketing | Analytics

Recruitment Program Manager

Amazon | Seattle, Washington | Jan 2012 – Mar 2014

Played pivotal role building teams across 11 global offices contributing to success of key Amazon products. Developed innovative, non-traditional recruitment strategies leveraging social media and diverse platforms.

Key Achievements:

Developed innovative recruitment strategies leveraging blogosphere and social media platforms engaging and attracting talent
Organized and supported talent events across 30+ global locations
Collaborated with cross-functional teams aligning recruitment marketing with business objectives ensuring strategic staffing

Skills Applied: Program Management | Team Leadership | Recruitment Marketing | Cross-Functional Collaboration | Event Management

Founder & Chief Talent Officer

FastHire.com | Greater Seattle Area | 1999 – 2012

Founded and led full-service recruitment solutions company partnering with diverse clients across technology, healthcare, retail, finance driving organizational growth and talent excellence.

Key Achievements:

Managed and mentored large team of contract sourcers and recruiters consistently exceeding client hiring demands while ensuring candidate quality
Developed customized recruitment strategies for agency and in-house settings optimizing workforce planning and building sustainable talent pipelines
Directed end-to-end recruitment processes maximizing hiring success and organizational fit
Created and executed marketing, branding, and business development initiatives enhancing client retention and revenue growth
Delivered training and coaching workshops improving hiring outcomes and reducing time-to-fill

Skills Applied: Entrepreneurship | Team Leadership | Business Development | Recruitment Strategy | Training & Development

EDUCATION

Master of Divinity (Applied Ethics, Jewish & Islamic Education) Starr King School for Ministry, Claremont Graduate University, UC Berkeley, Graduate Theological Union, Pontifical Gregorian University (Vatican) | Jan 2009 – Jan 2013

Bachelor of Science, Organizational Management St. Joseph’s University, New York

Additional Coursework: International Business (Hong Kong Baptist University, Chongqing University) | Communication & Media Studies (University of Washington) | American Sign Language (Seattle Central College)

CERTIFICATIONS & CREDENTIALS

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification – Program & Project Management (Advanced Innovation Group Pro Excellence) | Apr 2023

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification – Program & Project Management (Advanced Innovation Group Pro Excellence) | Dec 2019

Certificate in HR Management – St. Joseph’s University, New York

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Level 1, 2, & 3 – San Francisco Night Ministry, University of Redlands

RYT 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Certification – Vinyasa Yoga Academy

TEFL Certification – The TEFL Academy

TECHNICAL SKILLS & PLATFORMS

Communication & Collaboration: Salesforce | CRM Systems | Slack | Cisco WebEx | Microsoft Teams

LANGUAGES

English (Native) | Dutch (A2, working towards B1) | Italian (Conversational)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Public Speaking & Thought Leadership:

Featured on Hired.com podcast: “How Analytics & Funnel Metrics Drive Serious Conversion at Booking.com”
Featured on HackerRank podcast: “Hiring Software Developers Globally: Tips for Evaluating Candidates”
Public speaker at Amsterdam Tech Recruitment Meetup on candidate attraction and generation strategies

Disaster Relief Chaplain, American Red Cross (Jan 2025 – Present)
Chaplain Resident, San Francisco Night Ministry (Sep 2022 – Present)
Startup Mentor, StartOut (Jan 2015 – Present)
Expat Chair, D66 Amsterdam (Jan 2020 – Mar 2022)
Chief Diversity Officer, BreakTheGlassCeiling.com (Jan 2003 – Dec 2020)