WEX Perspective on Talent Recruitment

Finding and keeping the best and the brightest people to be part of our team has always been a priority at WEX and creating an exceptional work environment and culture has never been more important. We sat down recently with Brigitte Emmons-Touchette, our director of Global Talent Acquisition, for her insights on hiring trends and how WEX is responding.

“Talent has been the hot topic at WEX recently and will be for the foreseeable future. When it comes to recruiting companies need to find ways to differentiate themselves if they’re going to achieve their talent goals. For talent that can work virtually anywhere, alignment with a company’s culture and greater mission can be the deciding factor in which employer they choose,” notes Emmons-Touchette.

The Work/Life Balance

“At WEX, we believe that an undistracted, engaged, and healthy employee is someone who has a good work/life balance. To help achieve that balance, we offer programs like a paid sabbatical, two paid volunteer days each year, six weeks of fully paid parental leave, adoption assistance, pet insurance, and other benefits in support of whatever your family looks like. These programs convey to our WEXers that we understand and respect how our off-work self feeds our at-work self. We want our employees to bring their passion, creativity and authenticity to work every day – and that is sustained through a balanced approach to work and life,” observes Emmons-Touchette.

Managing for Results

Management style is also a big influencer in what distinguishes a top employer. Instead of managing processes, employers need to shift the focus to managing for the ultimate result. This style of management is a different mindset that requires a solid trust in employees and encourages diversity in how people look at and work through problems. We’re making progress in this area as shown by our Great Place to Work^® employee survey that found 78% of WEXers feel that management trusts people to do a good job without watching over their shoulders. (Of note: WEX received Great Place to Work^®  certification in the first year of engaging in the process – something that typically takes 2-3 years to achieve!)

“Managing for results fosters a culture that lets employees be their fullest self, gives them time to think rather than just produce, and inspires associates to innovate. It also fosters an innate element of accountability among employees. When people feel ownership of a project or process, they’re more invested in its outcome and will do what it takes to make sure it’s successful,” says Emmons-Touchette. “In the end, employees are fully engaged and committed because they are passionate about what they do, not because we tell them to be.”

How WEX Defines Talent

In recruiting, WEX is consciously looking for people who bring together two worlds: the technical and the creative. Our employees are super-smart in their areas of expertise – such as technology, finance or operations – and they are creative and a bit unconventional.  “Candidates with unique backgrounds and experiences also catch the attention of WEX recruiters. For example, a software developer who did undergraduate work in music theory is likely to bring a different set of eyes and creativity to her work. A mid-career professional who took a year off to do volunteer work, or travel abroad will bring a perspective to his work that can really enrich a team. We are not interested in heads-down order takers. We need more than that,” offers Emmons-Touchette.

Currently, we’re actively hiring in IT, operations and analytics. However, Emmons-Touchette advises that skill alone doesn’t necessarily lead to success at WEX. She notes that curiosity, a sense of adventure, and a willingness to take risks and be comfortable with failure are key components of the WEX mindset. Make no mistake, the pace at WEX is super fast and intense, with a work cadence that gets us ahead of the competition. This is not where you come to slow down or blend in. This is where you come to be challenged and to make a difference at a growth-centric company.

Interested in learning more? Check out the WEX career center for information about our culture, values, leadership, and benefits, and to view and apply for available jobs. You can also take a virtual company tour and meet WEXers at The Muse.