Mike Bailen
About Mike Bailen
Mike Bailen serves as the Director of Recruiting at Woodruff Sawyer, where he has worked since 2023. He has extensive experience in recruitment, having held various roles at companies such as Zappos Family of Companies, Eventbrite, and Lever.
Work at Woodruff Sawyer
Mike Bailen serves as the Director of Recruiting at Woodruff Sawyer, a position he has held since 2023. In this role, he contributes to the company's employee-owned culture, which focuses on long-term wealth building through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). His work emphasizes the importance of client success and innovative ideas, prioritizing these aspects over short-term profits.
Previous Experience in Recruiting
Prior to his current role, Mike Bailen held various positions at Zappos Family of Companies. He began as a Corporate Recruiter in 2010, later becoming a Campus Recruiter and then the Recruiting Manager. He served as Head of Talent / Senior HR Manager in 2014. Following his tenure at Zappos, he worked as Director of Recruiting at Eventbrite from 2014 to 2017 and held the position of VP, People at Lever from 2017 to 2019. He also served as VP, Talent Strategy at Lever for a brief period in 2019.
Education and Expertise
Mike Bailen studied at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a focus on Management & Human Resources and Psychology. His educational background supports his extensive experience in recruitment and human resources, equipping him with the skills necessary for effective talent acquisition and management.
Career Progression
Mike Bailen's career in recruitment began at American Family Insurance, where he worked as a Recruiter from 2007 to 2010. He then transitioned to Zappos Family of Companies, where he gained significant experience in various recruiting roles. After his time at Zappos, he continued to advance in his career, taking on leadership roles at Eventbrite, Lever, Handshake, and Atlassian, where he focused on talent acquisition and strategy.
Industry Impact
Throughout his career, Mike Bailen has been part of organizations that are recognized as industry leaders. His contributions have supported companies in providing services to a diverse range of clients, from small start-ups to large global enterprises. His focus on building strong recruitment strategies has played a role in shaping effective talent acquisition processes.