**Reflections on a Successful Year: Oksana Izmailova and the Growth of PIN-UP Global**
Oksana Izmailova, the Chief Human Resources Officer at PIN-UP Global, discusses the transformative year of 2024. She highlights how the HR department played a pivotal role in expanding the company by 58%, the challenges they overcame, and how their efforts earned the company the “Best Employer of the Year” award.
**Looking Back at 2024: Achievements and Growth**
With 2024 nearing its conclusion, Izmailova reflects on an eventful year. PIN-UP Global experienced significant expansion, with the team growing by over 1,400 members, bringing the total to 3,900 specialists worldwide. This rapid growth presented the HR team with significant challenges, requiring swift recruitment and process scaling. Through agility and collaboration, the team successfully adapted and built processes to support the company’s new scale.
The year also enhanced their expertise in cross-cultural communication, integrating employees from 20 nationalities, with offices across the globe.
**Achieving Excellence: The Best Employer Award**
This year, PIN-UP Global was honored with the “Best Employer of the Year” award from SIGMA. According to Izmailova, this accolade is attributed to the HR team’s dedication to fostering a strong employer brand, attracting talent, and creating a positive employee experience. She believes in constantly evolving processes to set industry standards and create trends.
**Fostering Professional Growth**
A key focus for PIN-UP has been the development of its employees. The company has embraced a culture of continuous learning, launching a Learning Management System (LMS) with 18 e-learning courses available in four languages since April. These courses cater to various audiences and include management programs that educate on HR processes and team selection.
About 90% of training is delivered internally, through the Knowledge Sharing Space initiative, which includes a library, events calendar, and professional community. The PIN-UP Talent program is aimed at retaining top talent and providing diverse career opportunities, alongside a mentoring program to support employee development.
**Career Advancement Figures**
In 2024, 217 individuals advanced from junior to senior roles, and 52 transitioned into managerial positions. The HR team supports career development by helping employees adapt to new roles, facilitated by ‘people partners’—business coaches who guide young managers through challenging situations.
**Evolution of the HR Team**
Over the course of the year, the HR function was restructured to improve efficiency and align with business needs. It now encompasses five key areas: Talent Acquisition, People Management, Learning & Development, HR Operations, and a new focus on Compensation & Benefits. This new team handles remuneration and benefits package development, supported by a team of 202 HR professionals working cohesively towards common goals.
**Addressing Trends and Setting 2025 Goals**
The growing demand for automation and technology was a significant trend in 2024. PIN-UP Global responded by automating the onboarding process and launching an HR chatbot to answer employee queries. Additionally, an AI tool was introduced to expedite recruitment processes and maintain quality.
Looking ahead to 2025, Izmailova plans to continue automating HR processes and improving hiring strategies. The focus will extend to enhancing the Learning Management System with gamification, promoting continuous learning, and launching new training initiatives. The “PIN-UP Talent” project will further develop through internal internships and career counseling.
With a clear vision for the future and a team of dedicated professionals, Izmailova is confident in achieving these ambitious goals by the end of 2025.