Employ Inc. has appointed Jerry Jao as its new chief executive officer, signaling a renewed push to accelerate innovation across its portfolio of hiring platforms, including JazzHR, Lever, and Jobvite. Based in Denver, Employ provides intelligent, people-first recruiting solutions designed to help organizations hire more efficiently while preserving the human side of the process.
Jao brings a founder’s perspective and deep experience in scaling AI-powered software businesses. He is a serial entrepreneur who has launched three companies, most notably ReSci (Retention Science), an AI-driven marketing and personalization platform acquired by Constant Contact in 2020. His connection to Employ is also personal: before stepping into the CEO role, Jao spent six years as a Lever customer, giving him firsthand exposure to how the technology supports hiring teams by improving organization, speed, and collaboration.
“Hiring has never needed to be faster, smarter, and more trusted than it does today. But hiring will always be inherently human, and technology should strengthen, not replace, that connection. That belief is what drew me to Employ and its people-first mission,” Jao said.
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He emphasized the company’s potential in the current wave of generative AI. “Throughout my career building and scaling AI-driven technology, I’ve seen how the right innovation can unlock entirely new levels of value for customers,” Jao added. “In the GenAI era, Employ has a real opportunity to accelerate AI innovation across our hiring solutions, helping customers move faster, make more confident decisions, and deliver better experiences for candidates. When we help people find the right jobs faster, we’re doing more than improving hiring outcomes; we’re helping people create more opportunity for themselves and the people they care about.”
Jao’s broader career includes leadership roles at Clear Channel Radio (now iHeartMedia), KPMG LLP, and Morgan Stanley. He also serves as an independent director at FIGS, Inc., where he chairs the Audit Committee.
“Jerry brings a founder’s mindset,” said Dara Brenner, Chief Product Officer at Employ. “He’s able to see where markets are heading, understand what customers need next, and shape organizations that can deliver on it.”
