Employ Inc.’s Leader Honored for ‘People-First’ Approach in AI-Driven Hiring

November 10, 2025 – Stephanie Manzelli, Chief People Officer at Employ Inc., has been recognized with an Inspiring Leaders Award by the Inspiring Workplaces Group, acknowledging her commitment to a human-centered approach to talent acquisition in an increasingly AI-driven landscape. The award underscores a growing industry trend: the need to balance technological innovation with employee wellbeing and authentic connection.

Manzelli was lauded for fostering a culture of trust, empowerment, and shared purpose within Employ Inc., a leading provider of intelligent hiring solutions including the JazzHR, Lever, and Jobvite applicant tracking systems. The Inspiring Leaders Award highlights individuals nominated by their teams who demonstrably connect employees to the organization’s mission, build trust, and champion inclusive environments.

“We’re thrilled to see Stephanie recognized for her leadership,” a company spokesperson stated. “Her vision aligns perfectly with our commitment to creating a better hiring experience for both candidates and recruiters.”

Balancing AI and the Human Touch

Employ Inc. has positioned itself as a pioneer in leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the hiring process. Unlike some companies embracing automation for cost reduction, Employ Inc. emphasizes augmentation – using AI to amplify human capabilities rather than replace them. This philosophy is central to Manzelli’s leadership and informed her recent recognition.

“AI is transforming talent acquisition,” explains one industry analyst. “But the most successful companies are those that understand AI is a tool, not a solution. It’s about finding the right balance between efficiency and the human element.”

Employ Inc.'s integration of AI, particularly through its AI Companions built with IBM watsonx, aims to address key challenges in recruitment. These tools support tasks like interview consistency, skills-based assessments, and optimizing job postings. The company claims this approach can deliver significant ROI for clients and a better experience for candidates.

However, the company’s strategy isn’t without its critics and internal challenges. Recent employee reviews reveal a mixed sentiment.

Employee Sentiment: A Mixed Bag

While Employ Inc. boasts a generally positive reputation with a 4.0/5 rating on RepVue, more granular analysis reveals areas for improvement. Several reviews highlight the company's fast-paced environment and a lack of formal training for new hires. One review indicated that the remote nature of work could lead to a lacking company culture.

“Training is nonexistent at Employ,” stated one employee review. “It’s a figure-it-out-on-your-own type of role.” Another employee stated compensation was below industry standards.

These sentiments raise questions about the company's ability to fully execute its “people-first” vision, even as it champions that philosophy externally. Balancing rapid innovation with adequate employee support and training remains a critical challenge.

Navigating a Competitive Landscape

Employ Inc. operates in a highly competitive market, facing off against established HR tech giants like Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, and Oracle Taleo. These companies offer comprehensive cloud HCM suites with increasingly sophisticated AI capabilities.

“The HR tech space is crowded,” notes one industry expert. “Companies need to differentiate themselves, and Employ Inc. is attempting to do that by focusing on AI augmentation and a better candidate/recruiter experience.”

However, competition extends beyond the enterprise-level players. Numerous standalone ATS solutions and general job platforms, such as Greenhouse, ZipRecruiter, and LinkedIn Job Search, are vying for market share.

To stay ahead, Employ Inc. recently released its