Kristen Guinn

Strategic and results-driven executive recruiting and talent acquisition leader with 15+ years of experience building and scaling enterprise talent strategies for Fortune 100 and high-growth organizations. Proven expertise leading executive search operations, talent intelligence, strategic sourcing, and large-scale recruitment transformation initiatives across corporate, technology, supply chain, healthcare, merchandising, and executive leadership functions. Recognized for building high-performing teams, modernizing recruiting operations, driving data-informed talent decisions, and partnering with senior executives to deliver exceptional leadership hiring outcomes.

Extensive experience overseeing enterprise sourcing organizations, executive search delivery, operational excellence initiatives, workforce planning, DEI strategies, compensation negotiations, and organizational transformation efforts.

Director, Executive Search Operations - Walmart Inc. - Bentonville, AR

(2025-05)

Lead enterprise executive search operations strategy across Walmart, overseeing Talent Intelligence, Executive Talent Sourcing, and Executive Project Management & Coordination teams to deliver scalable, data-driven leadership hiring solutions supporting enterprise growth and transformation.

• Direct executive search operations supporting senior leadership hiring across multiple business units and enterprise functions.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams spanning Talent Intelligence, Executive Talent Sourcing, and Executive Search Coordination/Project Management functions.
• Drive proactive executive talent strategies through competitive intelligence, talent mapping, succession-focused market research, and leadership pipeline development.
• Partner closely with C-suite executives, HR leadership, and key stakeholders to align executive hiring strategies with long-term business priorities.
• Implement scalable operational frameworks, governance models, and executive search processes to improve efficiency, consistency, and candidate experience.
• Oversee executive search lifecycle management, ensuring seamless coordination, scheduling, stakeholder communication, and white-glove candidate engagement.
• Utilize labor market analytics and talent insights to influence executive hiring decisions and strengthen enterprise leadership capabilities.
• Lead modernization initiatives focused on executive recruiting operations, reporting optimization, and search execution effectiveness.
• Champion inclusive executive hiring practices that support diversity, equity, and representation goals across leadership teams.

Associate Director, Executive Recruiting - Chewy.com - Hollywood, FL (Remote)

(2021-09 - 2025-05)

• Partnered with executive leadership to lead talent acquisition efforts for executive roles across Tech, Product Management, Healthcare, Supply Chain, Merchandising, and Marketing functions.
• Designed and implemented startup-style recruitment strategies for multiple business units under the Chewy umbrella.
• Facilitated C-suite client meetings, delivering insights on search progress, market analytics, candidate engagement, and qualified talent pools.
• Identified and implemented process improvement opportunities to enhance executive recruiting effectiveness and operational efficiency.
• Advocated for inclusive hiring practices through participation in Employee Resource Groups and DEI-focused recruiting initiatives.

Director, Strategic Talent Sourcing - Lowe's Companies - Mooresville, NC (Remote)

(2018-04 - 2021-09)

• Reported to Senior Director of Talent Attraction while managing a team of 30+ employees and overseeing a $5M operational budget.
• Directed enterprise sourcing strategies supporting Technology, Supply Chain, Field Operations, and Corporate functions.
• Served as Interim Director of Tech Recruiting, leading an additional team of 20 recruiting professionals.
• Reduced external vendor reliance by transitioning global executive recruitment in-house, generating $4M in first-year savings.
• Led hiring initiatives for a large-scale transformation effort, onboarding 486 Talent Acquisition professionals.
• Developed enterprise mentorship programs supporting recruiter and sourcer development across multiple business verticals.

Sourcing Manager, Talent Acquisition - Sears Holdings Corporation - Chicago, IL (Remote)

(2015-05 - 2018-04)

• Directed a remote team of eight sourcers supporting high-volume and executive-level recruitment initiatives.
• Developed innovative sourcing strategies that filled 25 Ph.D.-level Data Scientist positions within 120 days under aggressive timelines and budget constraints.
• Partnered with executive leadership and HR stakeholders to achieve recruitment goals, resulting in $8M in agency fee savings over three years.
• Championed EEOC compliance and advised leadership on compensation strategy and recruiting best practices.

Executive Recruiter - Noble Energy - Houston, TX

(2014-03 - 2015-05)

• Managed full-cycle recruitment for international and domestic positions specializing in Geoscience, Deepwater Engineering, and executive-level placements.
• Built strategic talent pipelines supporting offshore project expansion and organizational growth.
• Partnered closely with leadership teams to assess workforce needs and refine recruiting strategies for specialized technical talent.

Corporate Recruiter / Senior Sourcing Analyst - Insperity - Houston, TX (Remote)

(2011-08 - 2014-03)

• Recruited and placed mid- to executive-level talent across Accounting, Sales, Engineering, and Light Industrial sectors.
• Managed 30+ requisitions simultaneously while consistently achieving 10–12 placements per month.
• Partnered with hiring managers to develop job descriptions, execute sourcing strategies, and provide market intelligence and compensation benchmarking.

Executive Recruiter - The Daniel Group - Houston, TX

(2009-11 - 2011-08)

• Managed recruitment for contract and permanent positions across Accounting, Human Resources, and Administrative functions.
• Oversaw more than 80 active placements simultaneously while maintaining exceptional client service and delivery standards.
• Supported business development initiatives and strengthened long-term client relationships to expand branch growth.

Director, Recruiting - Employer Flexible - Houston, TX

(2007-05 - 2009-09)

• Managed a team of 12 employees while overseeing P&L operations, training, payroll, and performance management for more than 360 contract workers.
• Increased billable hours by more than 3,600 within 90 days through operational improvements and strategic business development initiatives.
• Led recruiting operations and workforce planning efforts supporting rapid organizational growth.

Coursework in Management, Computer Science, and Nursing - Tyler Junior College