Why I Keep Coming Back to Judge the Internal Talent Awards (ITAs)

I am incredibly excited and honoured to be returning as a Judge for the Internal Talent Awards (ITAs) 2026.

Having judged the ITAs for several years now, it’s something I genuinely look forward to each year.

Why the ITAs Matter to Me

The awards give me a front-row seat to some of the most impressive work happening across Talent Acquisition.

I get to see the thinking, strategy and execution behind initiatives that are shaping how organisations attract and hire talent — from innovative sourcing strategies and AI adoption, through to hiring manager capability, candidate experience, EVP and employer branding, diversity and inclusion, and large-scale transformation programs.

What I See Behind the Submissions

What consistently stands out is the depth of thinking and the practical impact.

Across the submissions, I see:

• Smarter, more structured hiring approaches
• Genuine innovation in TA technology and AI
• Stronger alignment between Talent Acquisition and business outcomes
• Evolving strategies across attraction, EVP and D&I
• A clear focus on improving quality of hire and reducing risk

This is work that goes beyond theory — it’s delivering measurable outcomes and making a real difference.

What Great Talent Acquisition Looks Like Today

The role of Talent Acquisition continues to evolve, and the standard of entries reflects that shift.

TA teams are increasingly:

• Operating as strategic business partners
• Leveraging data and technology more effectively
• Elevating candidate experience as a priority
• Building stronger capability in hiring managers

It’s exciting to see how far the profession continues to progress.

Why You Should Consider Entering

If you or your team have been doing great work in Talent Acquisition this year, I would strongly encourage you to submit an entry.

It’s a valuable opportunity to:

• Showcase your work
• Benchmark against the industry
• Recognise your team’s impact

Thank you to the team at TaPod – We Talk Talent for continuing to elevate the professional standards of our industry.

If you would like a copy of the client submission guide, please drop me an email rachel@hillconsulting.hrs.com

I’m looking forward to reviewing this year’s submissions — and of course, celebrating with everyone at the ITAs awards night in Melbourne. Find out more: Internal Talent Awards | Recognise and Reward the Industry’s Best