In this interview, we explore the inspiring career of Erin Imhof, Principal of People Programs and Operations at Deputy, a company that is revolutionizing workforce management. With over 17 years of experience in the field of Human Resources, Erin has played a pivotal role in shaping the HR strategies at Deputy. She shares her journey from her early days in HR to her current leadership role, offering insight into the challenges and opportunities ahead for both her company and the HR industry as a whole. Join us as Erin reflects on key business trends, the importance of technology, leadership, and her vision for the future of Deputy. Discover what drives Erin’s passion for people management and how she fosters a culture of innovation and adaptability within her organization.
Introduction and Career Path
Erin Imhof currently serves as the Principal of People Programs and Operations at Deputy, having built an impressive career in Human Resources that spans more than 17 years. Erin’s professional journey began shortly after she earned a degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University, a time when the economic downturn of a recession left her uncertain about her future career path. Heeding her parents’ advice, she ventured into the field of Human Resources, quickly finding herself drawn to the work of supporting and advocating for employees. Over the years, Erin honed her expertise, progressing steadily through various HR roles, ultimately earning master’s degrees in Human Resources Management, Public Administration, and Strategic Management. These qualifications, along with multiple HR certifications like SPHR, reflect her dedication to the profession. Prior to her current role at Deputy, she was the Director of Human Resources at CertiK, where she gained valuable experience that contributed to her success in the industry. Her journey has been marked by a deep commitment to the HR field, and she continues to apply her extensive knowledge and skills to create meaningful impact at Deputy.
Key Trends and Challenges in 2024
As Erin looks ahead to the evolving business landscape of 2024, several key trends and challenges stand out. One of the most significant is the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and its integration into HR practices. Erin is excited about how AI is transforming the way HR professionals operate, from drafting presentations and job descriptions to developing chatbots that streamline employee interactions. However, with these advancements come important considerations, particularly around compliance and legal frameworks, as regulations are often slower to adapt to technological innovation. HR leaders must stay vigilant to ensure their organizations’ policies remain updated and legally sound as AI continues to permeate the industry. Another pressing challenge is cybersecurity, as the increasing frequency of data breaches underscores the need for robust security measures. Erin emphasizes the importance of up-to-date policies, regular employee training to prevent phishing attacks, and a proactive approach to safeguarding sensitive information. Moreover, the ongoing debate over remote versus hybrid work environments continues to shape organizational strategies. Erin personally advocates for remote work, citing increased productivity and flexibility, but acknowledges the value of in-office camaraderie for building strong team culture. Leaders must weigh these options carefully, taking into account the preferences of their workforce and the needs of their business.
Recent Innovations and Their Impact
At Deputy, Erin has spearheaded several key initiatives aimed at enhancing employee experience, one of the most successful being the rollout of a “buddy program” designed to improve the onboarding process for new hires. Recognizing the challenges new employees face when joining a company remotely, Erin introduced this program to ensure that new hires would be paired with experienced team members who could offer guidance, answer questions, and help them integrate more smoothly into the company culture. This buddy system proved to be an effective solution, particularly when supervisors were unavailable to provide immediate support. Erin oversaw the program’s development, secured executive approval, and led its implementation, which resulted in overwhelmingly positive feedback from both new hires and their managers. The initiative has helped employees acclimate faster, learn about key internal processes, and build relationships with colleagues more quickly, which in turn has led to increased productivity and job satisfaction during the critical early stages of employment.
Fostering Innovation and Adaptability
For Erin, fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability is a core priority in her leadership approach. She firmly believes that for innovation to thrive within an organization, it must be driven by leaders who empower their teams to take risks, experiment, and learn from both their successes and failures. Building a supportive culture where employees feel comfortable trying new ideas, even if they don’t always work out, is essential for fostering creativity and driving progress. Erin encourages leaders to give their teams the autonomy to make decisions and explore solutions, as this flexibility enables employees to think outside the box and push boundaries. In her view, organizations that prioritize innovation are better equipped to stay competitive and attract top talent. She highlights the importance of embedding these values into the company’s policies and making adaptability a key part of the organization’s DNA. By doing so, Deputy has created an environment where employees are encouraged to embrace change and contribute to the company’s ongoing success.
Qualities Essential for Future Leadership
In today’s dynamic business environment, Erin believes that successful leaders must possess a diverse set of qualities that enable them to navigate the complexities of their roles. First and foremost, she emphasizes the importance of active listening—leaders must be willing to hear feedback from their employees, customers, and leadership teams. This feedback can provide valuable insights that inform decision-making and help guide the company toward a successful future. Communication is another critical leadership quality, especially when it comes to announcing organizational changes, product launches, or new policies. Erin stresses the need for clear and transparent communication that answers the key questions of who, what, where, when, why, and how, so that employees and stakeholders fully understand the implications of any changes. Without effective communication, confusion can arise, leading to employee dissatisfaction, turnover, and ultimately, a negative impact on the company’s bottom line. Finally, flexibility is crucial for leaders in today’s fast-paced world. Market conditions, customer needs, and internal challenges are constantly evolving, and leaders must be able to adapt quickly, empower their teams to make decisions, and trust them to navigate challenges effectively. By embodying these qualities, leaders can build resilient and successful organizations that are prepared for the future.
Technology’s Role in Transforming Business
Technology is transforming the way businesses operate, and HR is no exception. Erin sees technology as a powerful tool that has the potential to make HR processes more efficient and accessible, particularly for remote and hybrid workforces. At Deputy, technology plays a key role in ensuring that HR policies and procedures are easily accessible to all employees, whether through chatbots that provide real-time assistance or through virtual information sessions that connect remote workers. Erin is particularly focused on how technology can streamline employee self-service systems and enhance communication between teams. However, she also recognizes that with these advancements come challenges, particularly around compliance. As regulations evolve to address new technologies like AI, HR and legal teams must remain vigilant to ensure that their systems are fully compliant with current laws. Erin emphasizes the importance of collaboration with external vendors to navigate these complexities, as they can provide valuable expertise in ensuring that technology is implemented in a way that aligns with regulatory requirements. By staying ahead of technological trends and fostering a culture of adaptability, Erin is helping Deputy leverage technology to enhance both its internal operations and its external offerings.
Overcoming Significant Challenges
Throughout her career, Erin has faced numerous challenges, but one of the most significant was the task of building an HR department from the ground up at her previous company. This experience required her to quickly assess the company’s needs, develop an HR strategy that aligned with the organization’s goals, and prioritize multiple initiatives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. Among the many projects she oversaw were the implementation of a new HRIS, the design of comprehensive benefits packages, the creation of an employee handbook, and the development of an onboarding process—all of which had to be completed in a short period. Erin’s ability to navigate the complexity of these tasks, while also building a diverse and high-performing team, was key to the success of the department. She reflects on this experience as both challenging and rewarding, as it allowed her to apply her strategic thinking and leadership skills in a meaningful way. This experience not only solidified her expertise in HR but also demonstrated her ability to adapt quickly to new environments and challenges.
Ensuring Resilience and Sustainability
Resilience and sustainability are two critical factors that Erin believes are essential for long-term business success. Resilience, she explains, is the ability to adapt and thrive during times of change, and it must be cultivated at all levels of an organization. Leaders play a key role in fostering resilience by actively listening to their teams, communicating transparently, and helping employees understand how changes align with the company’s broader goals and values. When employees feel heard and informed, they are more likely to embrace change and contribute to the organization’s resilience. Sustainability, on the other hand, is about ensuring that the company’s operations are environmentally and socially responsible. Erin highlights the importance of focusing on sustainable development, conserving resources, and minimizing the company’s impact on the environment. In today’s business landscape, companies that prioritize both resilience and sustainability are better equipped to navigate challenges and build a strong foundation for future success.
Guiding Values and Legacy
Erin approaches decision-making with a strong focus on research and collaboration. Before making any major decisions, she ensures that she has thoroughly explored all possible options and sought input from colleagues with diverse perspectives. This collaborative approach allows her to consider multiple viewpoints and make decisions that are more informed and inclusive. Erin also incorporates design thinking principles into her problem-solving process, ensuring that she clearly defines the root problem, explores a variety of potential solutions, and prototypes different approaches before selecting the best course of action. When presenting her recommendations, she provides data and analysis to support her choices, helping stakeholders understand the potential impact and benefits. Erin hopes to leave a legacy of thoughtful decision-making and strategic leadership, inspiring future leaders to approach their roles with the same level of care and consideration.
Advice for Aspiring Leaders
For aspiring leaders, Erin offers several key pieces of advice. First, she stresses the importance of conducting thorough research and due diligence before making any decisions, whether entering a new market or launching a new initiative. Understanding the industry, identifying opportunities in less obvious sectors, and carefully analyzing the competition are all critical steps in ensuring success. Erin also encourages leaders to think critically about their company’s position in the market and to look for areas where they can differentiate themselves from competitors. Additionally, she advises aspiring leaders to establish clear metrics for success and to regularly evaluate their progress. By setting measurable goals and monitoring their performance, leaders can make informed decisions about when to pivot or adjust their strategy. Finally, Erin emphasizes the importance of flexibility and adaptability in leadership, as the business landscape is constantly evolving. Leaders who remain open to feedback and willing to make changes will be better equipped to navigate challenges and seize new opportunities.
Upcoming Projects and Initiatives
One of Erin’s current projects at Deputy is a global benefits evaluation and analysis initiative, aimed at ensuring parity for employees across the company’s various international locations. This project involves conducting a comprehensive review of the benefits offered in different regions and working to align them with the company’s overall compensation strategy. In addition to the benefits analysis, Erin is also leading several culture-building initiatives, with a focus on fostering a sense of community among employees based in different countries. These initiatives include wellness activities and team-building exercises that help strengthen connections among employees in Australia, the US, and the UK. By enhancing the overall employee experience and ensuring that Deputy’s benefits and culture reflect the company’s values, Erin is working to attract and retain top talent in a competitive global market.
Vision for the Future of Deputy
Looking ahead, Erin envisions a bright future for Deputy, with continued growth and innovation at the forefront of the company’s strategy. As the company expands its product offerings and customer base, Erin is focused on ensuring that Deputy’s internal operations are aligned with its broader goals. She plans to expand the company’s DEI initiatives, employee engagement programs, and benefits offerings, creating a more inclusive and supportive workplace that attracts top talent. Additionally, Erin sees opportunities to streamline the company’s processes, enhancing efficiency and productivity while maintaining a strong focus on employee satisfaction. By balancing growth with a commitment to fostering a positive and innovative culture, Erin is confident that Deputy will continue to lead the way in workforce management solutions.
Significant Achievements in Business
Throughout her career, Erin has achieved several notable milestones that have had a lasting impact on the organizations she has worked for. One of her most significant accomplishments was the creation of a comprehensive compensation structure at her previous company, which helped establish pay equity across the organization. This initiative not only improved employee morale but also laid the foundation for more transparent and fair compensation practices. Additionally, Erin played a key role in scaling HR operations to support over 1,200 employees across 21 locations in Southern California. This involved implementing new policies, developing training programs, and ensuring compliance with local and federal regulations—all within a short timeframe. Erin’s ability to manage large-scale projects and drive meaningful change has been a hallmark of her career, and her leadership continues to make a significant impact at Deputy.
In conclusion, Erin Imhof’s leadership journey highlights her dedication to fostering innovation, adaptability, and a people-centric approach in the evolving business landscape. With a strong foundation in HR and a deep understanding of the importance of both employee and customer experience, Erin has consistently driven meaningful change and growth within organizations. Her forward-thinking strategies, commitment to resilience and sustainability, and focus on building an inclusive culture have positioned her as a transformative leader at Deputy. As she continues to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the future, Erin’s leadership will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the company and the industry.
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