From Media Planner to SVP: Amy Onori on Career Pivots, Building Teams & Leading with Purpose

What does it look like to leap from media planning into executive HR leadership—and build one of the most agile recruiting teams at a global agency along the way?

In Episode 13 of Beyond the Offer, co-hosts Rosanna Snediker and Bill Gates sit down with Amy Onori, SVP of Talent Acquisition at Publicis Media, to explore her bold career pivots, lessons in leadership, and the operational mindset that fuels her success. From her early days in media buying to launching innovative hiring models, Amy’s story is packed with insight for recruiters, HR leaders, and anyone navigating change.

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Pivoting with Purpose: From Media Buying to Recruiting

Amy’s career started in media planning—right as the 2008 recession hit. While she found herself drawn to the agency environment, the role itself didn’t spark her passion. Taking a leap of faith, she left a full-time job to accept a freelance recruiting coordinator position, unsure of what would come next.

“Career pivots aren’t setbacks—they’re often the first step toward something better.”

That single decision reshaped her entire path, leading her into talent acquisition, where she discovered the perfect intersection of people, process, and purpose.

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Building High-Performing Teams Through Trust and Alignment

One of the episode’s standout insights is Amy’s people-first approach to building agile and accountable recruiting teams. At Publicis, she implemented a business partner model, where recruiters own hiring across all levels for a specific business unit—creating trust and consistency across the org.

“We’re not just recruiters—we’re strategic partners. We need to be the ones advising the business, not reacting to it.”

Her team structure is rooted in clarity and empowerment:

• Each recruiter owns a defined vertical
  
• Recruiters handle hiring from entry-level to VP
  
• The team emphasizes pipelining, not just filling reqs
  

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Leading with Operational Excellence and Future-First Thinking

Amy’s leadership philosophy centers around three pillars:
Operational Prowess. Results-Driven Focus. Future-First Thinking.

“Recruiters should be the most organized people in the room. We’re the ones informing the business of what’s happening with talent—not the other way around.”

From launching live hiring days to optimizing internal systems, Amy leads with innovation—ensuring her team stays scalable, strategic, and prepared for whatever comes next.

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Agency vs. In-House: What Shifts, What Stays the Same

With experience across both boutique firms and global brands, Amy offers a unique take on agency versus in-house work. While the pace and processes change, the human side of recruiting remains constant: relationship-building, trust, and adaptability.

Her team at Publicis embraces that ethos—especially during hiring slowdowns, using those moments to refine strategy, reengage with candidates, and “hustle smarter” without burnout.

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Key Takeaways:

✔️ Career pivots can create new leadership paths
✔️ Vision is the foundation of trust and influence
✔️ Recruiters thrive when treated as true business partners
✔️ Operational systems support sustainable hiring
✔️ Innovation and adaptability define future-ready teams

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Listen to the full episode of Beyond the Offer for Amy Onori’s full journey—plus actionable insights on career growth, team building, and modern recruitment strategy.

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