Phillip Haig
Atlanta
Summary
I am a strategic talent and skills transformation leader with deep experience architecting enterprise wide development programs and modern talent operating models. A tech-savvy innovator with hands-on experience in emerging technologies and passion for continuous improvement. Skilled in identifying opportunities for technological enhancements and implementing effective solutions. Adept at leveraging new tools and methods to solve problems and enhance productivity. Excels in adapting to fast-paced environments and driving technological advancements.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Global Early Career Programs
Visa
Atlanta, GA
08.2021 - Current
- In this role I lead a portfolio of global talent programs and enterprise skills initiatives. This remit includes internship, apprenticeship, leadership development and rotational programs. I lead a global team of 15 programs and recruiting professionals across five countries, and manage a $2.5m annual budget.
- Designed and deployed Visa's first Technology Apprenticeship program across four countries with a 85% conversion to full time.
- Introduced a one year skills based development program for Software Engineers with 1000 learners per year, reducing time to code from 35 days to 9.
- Led job analysis strategy to develop competency profiles for all rotational and leadership development programs producing 15% more outstanding performers compared to general population and increasing average tenure to 8 years.
- Introduced a global framework for Visa’s Internship Program, improving satisfaction to an NPS of 82 and a 78% conversion rate while scaling from 22 to 48 countries.
- Designed and deployed AI enabled skills strategy across experience, exposure and education. Increasing AI tools use by 52% and ensuring 90% of intern projects and rotational assignments have an AI focus.
- Led global rollout of cyber‐skills learning solutions across the US, Europe, and India, in universities and colleges aligning capability building with emerging skills needs and AI
- Introduced modular and adaptive learning architectures to support a variety of learning styles, increasing NPS from 58 to 71.
Head of Europe Early Careers Recruiting
Visa
London, UK
05.2019 - 07.2021
- Directed recruitment strategies for Visa Europe's early career programs, enhancing apprentice, internship, and graduate hiring processes, which led to a 225% increase in talent acquisition across 14 countries within two years. Supervised a team of three professionals in recruitment and program management.
- Developed and implemented flagship commercial rotational graduate program for Visa Europe to cultivate FinTech future leaders, achieving a 100% promotion rate within two years.
- Deployed refreshed diversity hiring strategy to enhance gender and ethnic representation in apprentice and graduate programs, achieving over 20% growth in year one.
- Designed and launched a next-generation curriculum focused on future skills, resulting in a significant increase in Net Promoter Score (NPS) rating.
- Executed strategic changes in recruitment processes, integrating video interviewing and gamification to optimize candidate experience and streamline hiring timelines.
Global Early Careers Business Partner
Cisco
Amsterdam, NE
05.2016 - 06.2019
- Collaborated with three divisional leadership teams, including EVP-level executives, to identify and recruit top talent for sales and customer experience initiatives.
- Managed recruitment strategies and training frameworks for Cisco Services Talent Incubator and Cisco Sales Academy, fostering talent growth in 12 global regions.
- Facilitated collaboration among diverse teams to establish a streamlined demand and succession planning framework for Cisco's EIC sales talent, accelerating promotion speed by 33%.
- Achieved enhanced hiring outcomes through the introduction of a gamified psychometric tool. Leveraged predictive analytics to refine selection processes. Increased completion rates of the selection process from 65% to 89%.
- Developed and implemented a specialized selection process team for EMEA region to elevate candidate satisfaction levels. NPS increasing from 72 to 91.
EMEA Early Talent and MBA Lead
Johnson & Johnson
London, UK
03.2013 - 05.2019
- Achieved successful recruitment outcomes by implementing effective hiring and development strategies for internship, graduate, and MBA programs. Fostered collaboration among leaders in FMCG, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices divisions to optimize recruitment efforts.
- Facilitated creation of comprehensive three-year master's level program, "Rotate," incorporating rotations across Johnson & Johnson's consumer, pharma, and medical devices sectors to cultivate future leaders.
- Directed the design and implementation of MBA curriculum for EMEAR, ensuring alignment with educational standards for two consecutive cycles.
- Redesigned graduate branding strategy to enhance hiring manager satisfaction by 22%.
- Chosen to participate in and successfully completed internal global leadership training program 'TALA' (Talent Acquisition Leadership Academy).
- Elevated J&J's position in key employer rankings, including Guardian Top 300, RateMyPlacement Top 100, and JobCrowd Top 50, to strengthen employer brand reputation.
- Developed and implemented initiatives to increase hiring from target universities, achieving over 80% of hires from these institutions.
Recruitment Manager
Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester, UK
11.2011 - 03.2013
Recruitment Manager
Convergys
Manchester, WA
02.2010 - 11.2011
Graduate Recruitment Partner
Co-operative Bank
Manchester, UK
04.2009 - 02.2010
Graduate Recruitment Advisor
Sainsbury's
London, UK
06.2008 - 04.2009
Education
Bachelor of Science - Television And Film Production
University of Salford
Salford, UK06-2008
Skills
- Job analysis
- Agile project management
- Learning design
- Data analytics
- SAP
- Workday
Timeline
Head of Global Early Career Programs
Visa
08.2021 - Current
Head of Europe Early Careers Recruiting
Visa
05.2019 - 07.2021
Global Early Careers Business Partner
Cisco
05.2016 - 06.2019
EMEA Early Talent and MBA Lead
Johnson & Johnson
03.2013 - 05.2019
Recruitment Manager
Manchester Metropolitan University
11.2011 - 03.2013
Recruitment Manager
Convergys
02.2010 - 11.2011
Graduate Recruitment Partner
Co-operative Bank
04.2009 - 02.2010
Graduate Recruitment Advisor
Sainsbury's
06.2008 - 04.2009
Bachelor of Science - Television And Film Production
University of Salford
Award Nominations
Best Intern or Placement Program | National Emerging Talent Awards | 2026
Exceptional Leader - Early Career Programs | Ripple Match Award | 2025
Best Graduate Recruitment | In-house Recruitment Awards | 2017
Best Graduate Recruitment I Recruiter Awards for Excellence| 2014
Best Graduate Recruitment | Recruiter Awards for Excellence | 2014
Best Intern Program | Prospects Awards | 2013
Best Diversity & Inclusion Program | In-house Recruitment Awards | 2013