Technology

WorkHuman to add specialist AI roles in Dublin

Human resources software company makes senior hires as it looks to turn corner after job cuts

WorkHuman is looking to hire 11 AI specialists to work under newly appointed vice-president of product engineering Shmulik Barel at its Dublin headquarters in Park West

Ian Curran
Tue May 7 2024 - 06:00

Irish software company WorkHuman is planning to add almost a dozen new specialist artificial intelligence (AI) roles in Dublin after announcing three senior appointments across its global business.

The company, which makes human resources software, said it is now hiring across multiple functions at its Dublin office after shedding around 10 per cent of its global workforce last year amid a downturn in the international tech sector.

WorkHuman is looking to hire 11 AI specialists to work under newly appointed vice-president of product engineering Shmulik Barel at its Dublin headquarters in Park West.

Mr Barel previously served as chief executive of digital sports coaching company, Playform and chief operating officer of loyalty platform, Como. Based in Dublin, Mr Barel “will work to create hybrid intelligence systems that blend human and AI to redefine efficiency and innovation in the workplace”, WorkHuman said in a statement.

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“Recognising the evolving challenges in workforce management, including keeping employees engaged, productive and motivated, my goal in joining WorkHuman is to drive meaningful change through innovation powered by the synergy of human and artificial intelligence,” Mr Barel said in a statement.

He is one of four recent senior appointments – three of them based at the group’s US offices in Framingham, Massachusetts – made earlier this year by WorkHuman as it looks to turn the corner from last year’s job cuts.

Leveraging cutting-edge technologies to foster innovation and push the boundaries of what is possible in the workplace is deeply embedded into Workhuman’s ethos and DNA

—  Tom Libretto, group president

The company has also appointed Richard Maclachlan, former senior vice-president for global marketing, as chief marketing officer and Kevin Heinzelman, former vice-president of product management, as senior vice-president. WorkHuman has also hired former director of product management at Wayfair, Jose Malpartida, as vice-president of product management.

All four appointments are geared towards better utilising AI to build its human resources and employee recognition software.

“Leveraging cutting-edge technologies to foster innovation and push the boundaries of what is possible in the workplace is deeply embedded into Workhuman’s ethos and DNA,” said Tom Libretto, group president. “Each of these distinguished leaders brings a wealth of experience in using AI and other emerging technologies to inspire their teams to embrace new ways of working and drive meaningful business outcomes. Their collective expertise will be pivotal in our mission to make work more human for every person on the planet.”

WorkHuman reported a 29 per cent increase in turnover in 2022, with operating profit for the year of $68 million (€62.23 million). In 2023, the company announced plans to cut around 150 jobs including a number of roles in Dublin, where it employed 600 people at the time, after years of intense hiring and growth.

Founded in 1999 and formerly known as Globoforce, the group operates employee reward and incentive schemes on behalf of some of the world’s biggest companies, including Cisco, Moderna, Merck, LinkedIn and Intuit. More than six million employees are on the WorkHuman platform across 180 countries.

Ian Curran

Ian Curran

Ian Curran is a Business reporter with The Irish Times

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