Scott Hajer

Overview

Scott Hajer partners with organizations to achieve greater success by focusing on what many miss in the rush toward efficiency and scale – the human element. As AI and automation reshape how work gets done, he helps companies maintain their human core while capturing technological benefits, resulting in increased employee engagement, productivity, and, ultimately, higher ROI. With over two decades of experience transforming how organizations approach talent strategy and organizational development, Hajer combines deep expertise in human behavior with strategic business acumen to deliver lasting results. 

Experience

Hajer has over two decades of experience transforming how organizations approach people strategy and operational excellence. A specialist in building high-performing teams and creating frameworks that enable organizations to thrive during significant change, he has held leadership positions focused on talent strategy and organizational development. 

His transformational work includes re-engineering an organization’s talent acquisition operations and creating an agile structure that proved remarkably resilient during market upheavals. The redesigned function was able to pivot from external hiring to internal priorities within two weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic’s onset. This adaptability, combined with consistently high-performance standards, led to the talent acquisition team becoming trusted strategic advisors and, ultimately, a revenue-generating consulting operation as other organizations sought help optimizing their own talent practices. 

Outside of the office

Hajer has a passion for learning new things and will talk to anyone about anything. He believes that everyone is interesting and has something to teach. Annually, Hajer seeks out wide-open spaces, from the deserts of Arizona to the mountains of New Mexico and even the Arctic in January. These retreats offer a respite from technology, allowing him time for introspection and self-reflection while encountering a diverse range of interesting people. 

Education and service

Hajer earned his degree in English Language and Literature from The University of Chicago. His civic engagement includes serving as a county Election Judge and as a committee member for the Annual UChicago Alumni Weekend. His published work examines the intersection of technology and humanity in business, with recent articles exploring AI’s impact on recruiting, the strength of weak ties in professional networks, and the importance of authentic employer branding.