Eric Hess

Eric Hess

Director of Talent Acquisition, Protective Life

Like many in talent acquisition, Eric didn’t set out with a clear plan to enter recruiting—it found him.

Graduating during a recession, he initially struggled to land a role and found himself working in retail. That changed after a conversation with a recruiter who, after a 30-minute call, saw something more in him. Instead of placing him in a customer service role, the recruiter encouraged him to explore a career in talent acquisition.

That moment shifted everything.

Eric stepped into staffing shortly after and never looked back. What began as an unexpected opportunity quickly became a long-term career, one that continued to evolve as he grew within the field. Over time, his experience across different environments helped shape a well-rounded perspective on recruiting and talent leadership.

Shaped by Leaders Who Lead with Purpose

Throughout his career, Eric has been influenced by leaders who modeled both excellence and integrity.

Early on, a manager instilled in him the importance of work ethic—going beyond simply getting the job done to taking pride in the quality of work and treating people with respect. That foundation became a core part of how he approaches leadership today.

Later, during his time at Amazon, he worked under a leader who challenged him to think more strategically and operate at a higher level. In a fast-paced and demanding environment, especially during the pandemic, this experience pushed him to grow into a more thoughtful and impactful leader. Just as importantly, he saw firsthand what it meant to lead with fairness, advocate for people, and create an environment where others could succeed.

More recently, another leader reinforced the importance of empathy, inclusion, and standing up for what’s right. This further shaped how Eric shows up for his team—ensuring that leadership is not just about outcomes, but also about how people are supported and developed along the way.

Together, these influences have defined his leadership philosophy: lead with intention, support your people, and create an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Keeping the Human Element at the Center of Change

As talent acquisition continues to evolve—particularly with the rapid rise of AI—Eric sees both opportunity and responsibility.

He recognizes that AI and automation are transforming the way recruiting teams operate, helping streamline processes, improve efficiency, and enhance the overall candidate experience. From application to offer, these tools enable faster and more scalable hiring.

At the same time, he emphasizes that adopting these technologies is no longer optional. Teams that fail to embrace them risk falling behind in an increasingly competitive landscape.

However, despite these advancements, Eric remains grounded in what he believes will always matter most.

Advice for future leaders in 2026

Looking ahead to 2026, his advice to fellow talent leaders is simple but enduring: never lose sight of the human element. Whether it’s internal stakeholders or external candidates, success in talent acquisition is built on strong relationships, clear communication, and meaningful partnerships.

While tools and trends will continue to evolve, the foundation of great recruiting remains the same—putting people first, delivering a strong customer experience, and building trust at every stage of the process.