International Recruiter & Happiness Officer
IR Olav Globetrotters
03.2024 - Current
Jesica Liebenberg
International Recruiter
Lelystad,Netherlands
Timeline
Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
Entelect
07.2019 - 03.2024
Talent Acquisition: Researcher
Multichoice
07.2018 - 07.2019
Recruitment Consultant
RAW IT
09.2012 - 06.2018
Executive Sales Representative
ThermalMate
01.2010 - 10.2012
High School Diploma -
Hoerskool Vorentoe
01.2005 - 12.2009
Work History
International Recruiter & Happiness Officer
IR Olav Globetrotters
03.2024 - Current
- When I joined IR Olavโs Globetrotters, I wasnโt just stepping into a new role, I was stepping into my purpose.
- Our mission is simple but powerful: Every highly skilled South African deserves the chance to build a better future. In my role, I help make that vision real, connecting South African professionals with Dutch companies that are actively facing skill shortages and craving top-tier, committed talent.
- This role goes far beyond recruitment. From the first chat, I work closely with candidates to understand not just what they do, but who they are, what drives them, what they want for their families, and what a successful move would look like. Then I walk alongside them through every step of the journey: from job matching and interview prep, to visa applications, relocation logistics, and even the softer side of settling into Dutch life.
- What makes this work so fulfilling is knowing that every placement has a ripple effect, changing lives, strengthening businesses, and building bridges between two great countries. I'm not just recruiting talent; I'm helping people restart, rebuild, and reimagine what's possible.
- But my role doesnโt stop there.
- As the companyโs Happiness Officer, I also make sure our internal team is supported, connected, and reminded that joy and laughter matter just as much as KPIs and deadlines. I believe in a culture where people feel seen, celebrated, and safe to be themselves, where fun and fulfilment go hand in hand with performance. Whether itโs organizing meaningful check-ins, team-building sessions, or just making sure no one forgets to celebrate the wins, Iโm here to keep the heart of the team beating strong.
- Key highlights:
- Connect highly skilled South African professionals with Dutch companies facing talent shortages
- Guide candidates through the entire relocation processโfrom CV to visa to Dutch integration
- Collaborate cross-functionally with legal, HR, and hiring managers across borders and cultures
Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
Entelect
07.2019 - 03.2024
- Joining Entelect was a turning point in my recruitment journey. This wasnโt just another company, it was a community of incredibly smart, humble people building world-class software, and I had the privilege of helping grow that team from the inside out.
- As the Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist, I was responsible for identifying, attracting, and onboarding top-tier software engineers, data scientists, QA analysts, and other tech professionals. But more than that, I was the first touchpoint in a candidateโs journey into Entelect culture, and I took that responsibility seriously.
- I worked closely with hiring managers and senior leadership to understand technical requirements and team dynamics, ensuring each hire was not only skilled but a cultural fit. I drove end-to-end hiring strategies, from sourcing and headhunting through to offer negotiation, onboarding, and post-hire support.
- Over the years, I became known for creating an exceptional candidate experience, one that felt human, personal, and informative. Whether I was mentoring junior recruiters, building talent pipelines, or engaging in employer branding projects, I always brought the same energy: make people feel seen, heard, and valued.
- What made Entelect different, and why I stayed nearly 5 years, was that it was never about hiring for volume. It was about hiring for excellence, empathy, and long-term growth.
- Key highlights:
- Recruited and onboarded over numerous high-calibre software professionals across multiple business units
- Partnered with C-suite and senior leaders to align talent strategy with business growth
- Talent mapping, tech community engagement, and campus recruitment initiatives
- Built strong relationships across the business, becoming a trusted advisor to both hiring teams and candidates
Talent Acquisition: Researcher
Multichoice
07.2018 - 07.2019
- At MultiChoice, I stepped into a fast-paced environment where attracting top-tier technical talent was critical to the business's digital evolution. My role was to partner closely with hiring managers, executives, and the broader HR team to deliver on complex talent acquisition needs, especially in hard-to-fill, scarce-skill roles.
- I wasnโt just filling seats. I developed and refined sourcing strategies, conducted deep talent market research, and helped shape the candidate experience from end to end. I led intake meetings, built talent maps, screened and pitched passive candidates, and ensured both managers and candidates were fully prepped before and after interviews.
- My focus extended beyond sourcing; I also contributed to employer branding, EVP positioning, and helped develop frameworks to improve hiring processes and user experience. I built strong relationships across the board, not only with internal stakeholders but also with external suppliers and candidates.
- What I loved most about this role was the opportunity to influence strategic hiring decisions using data and insights, and seeing how the right hire could unlock progress for an entire team or project. It was here that I truly honed my skills in navigating stakeholder dynamics, closing top candidates, and turning recruitment into a collaborative, business-driving process.
- Partnered with senior HR leaders and executives to define and execute hiring strategy
- Conducted talent mapping and proactive sourcing across tech and scarce-skill markets
- Delivered monthly reporting and insights to inform and improve TA performance
- Played a key role in MultiChoiceโs EVP and employer branding development
- Helped elevate candidate experience and internal processes through feedback
Recruitment Consultant
RAW IT
09.2012 - 06.2018
- RAW IT is where it all began, where I found my feet in recruitment, learned the ropes, and discovered just how rewarding it is to connect the right people with the right opportunities.
- As a Recruitment Consultant in a niche IT agency, I quickly immersed myself in the world of software engineers, system analysts, and tech leads. It wasnโt just about understanding roles; it was about learning to speak the language of both candidates and clients and finding alignment in skills, values, and ambitions.
- This is where I truly learned how to build strong, lasting relationships. I worked closely with clients to understand not just what they needed on paper, but who would thrive in their team. I got to know candidates beyond the CV, what they wanted, what they valued, and what success looked like to them.
- I became known for my hands-on, personal approach. I listened closely, matched carefully, and supported both sides throughout the hiring process. I believed then, and still do... that a happy candidate makes a happy client, and a happy client brings you back again and again.
- Over nearly six years, I grew tremendously, both in skill and confidence. I built and managed my own client base, developed industry expertise in IT recruitment, and laid the groundwork for everything I do today.
- Built and maintained long-term client and candidate relationships in the tech industry
- Developed a deep understanding of technical roles and candidate motivations
- Ran full-cycle recruitment across permanent and contract placements
- Known for a high-touch, honest, and people-first approach to hiring
- Set personal career goals and consistently exceeded them through persistence and heart
Executive Sales Representative
ThermalMate
01.2010 - 10.2012
- Fresh out of high school and university, I dove headfirst into the world of work, and landed in the deep end. My first full-time role was with ThermalMate, a division of Durattract Plastics, where I managed both internal and external sales across promotional and product lines.
- This was my crash course in business, relationship-building, and resilience. I learned how to negotiate, pitch, manage client accounts, and meet sales targets, but more importantly, I discovered my natural ability to connect with people and build trust. From cold calls to closing deals, I quickly developed the communication, listening, and influencing skills that would later become invaluable in my recruitment career.
- It was here I realised my passion wasnโt just in selling products, it was in understanding peopleโs needs, navigating challenges, and being a problem solver. I began to feel the pull toward something more people-focused, more tech-driven. That curiosity eventually led me to the world of recruitment.
- This role shaped me. It taught me grit, adaptability, and how to keep showing up, even when things felt out of my depth. Looking back, it was the first step in a much bigger journey that combined my love for people, strategy, and growth.
- Strong B2B relationship-building and stakeholder management
- Client engagement, needs analysis, and solution selling
- Communication under pressure and negotiation across levels
- Foundation for people-focused, service-driven work
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Education
High School Diploma -
Hoerskool Vorentoe
Johannesburg, South Africa 01.2005 - 12.2009
Skills
- Applicant assessment
- Applicant sourcing
- Resume scanning
- Talent management
- Candidate Experience Management
- Strategic Sourcing
- International Talent Acquisition
- Immigration & Relocation Support
Summary
Iโm Jesica, an international recruiter, people-person, and your go-to partner when it comes to building a new life and career in the Netherlands. I work closely with highly skilled South Africans who are ready for something more, a better work-life balance, fair pay, safety, opportunity, and a new chapter in Europe. Whether youโre dreaming of it, ready to leap, or somewhere in between, Iโm here to help make it real.
At IR Olavโs Globetrotters, we believe that ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ก๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ค๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐, and Iโve made it my mission to help make that happen. We specialise in connecting Dutch companies that face local skill shortages with South African talent that brings real value, work ethic, and heart. I guide each candidate from the first conversation, where we dig into what you really do and what you really want, through interviews, visa applications, relocation, and adjusting to Dutch life.
I understand that immigration isnโt just about documents, itโs about people, kids, schools, tax numbers, bikes, culture shock, and finding your feet in a new place. And thatโs where I come in. I walk this road with you, every step of the way. For companies, I bring not just talent, but people who fit your team, your values, and your future vision. For candidates, Iโm your coach, sounding board, and reality-checker with a kind heart and honest advice.
If youโre a South African with skills, drive, and a dream, or a Dutch company that wants loyal, experienced professionals to help you grow, Iโd love to connect.
Letโs build futures together. ๐