Alexandra Peligrad, Global HR Business Partner Director, has been appointed the EMEA Regional Leader for 8x8 Romania. Based in the Cluj-Napoca office and with more than 20 years of strategic HR experience, her aim is to put 8x8 Romania on the map and show why it’s a centre of excellence in several areas. We spoke with Alexandra to learn more about the role and her goals for the region.

8x8: How is 8x8 perceived in your region?

Alexandra Peligrad (AP): We have around 420 employees in Cluj-Napoca, and most of them are in engineering and product development. Outside of 8x8, this has established our reputation as a large, leading tech company. Within 8x8, we’re seen as a strategic entity with a strong focus on our product development—around 40% of the organisation’s tech team is here in Romania.

8x8: How do you feel about being appointed as an EMEA regional leader?

AP: I’m excited. I’ve been interested in a role like this for a while. I can see opportunities for growth and reputation-building in Romania, so I’m keen to get started. We’re a centre of excellence for HR operations and the main development centre for 8x8, and I’m eager to raise our profile.

8x8: What do you see as your key priorities and what does success look like?

AP: Along with further building our reputation as a good tech employer in Romania, a priority for me is for 8x8 Romania to develop a strong employee value proposition. I would like us to crystallise and communicate our core values and make our brand stand out for our employees and candidates. Success will be when the 8x8 name is known in the regional market as the tech employer of choice in Cluj-Napoca.

8x8: What are the key roles you’ve held in the past that you think have helped you prepare for this moment?

AP: I joined 8x8 as a local HR manager, shortly after which I became EMEA HRBP Director and then I was appointed as the Global HR Operations Director, so I’ve been across 8x8’s global and local operations for a while. Before 8x8, I held senior roles in tech or BPO companies with global reach. This has given me a strong understanding of the tech competition in Romania, and a knowledge of the needs of employees and employers and the ways to bridge them together.

8x8: How has the local team reacted to the news?

AP: Personally, I’ve received a lot of encouragement and support. The Romanian Leadership team is also excited about the growth and opportunities that it will help to bring. As an HRBP, the local team knows first-hand the benefits of the programmes and initiatives I’ve led or supported, so I hope my colleagues are also confident in the new development that the Regional Leader role will bring.

8x8: What are the challenges and opportunities you see facing 8x8 in your area?

AP: We have a strong leadership team here in Romania. Everything we do truly is a team effort; it’s not just me. We’ve already established our SWOT for the project, and all of us are keen to start implementing the actions we’ve taken from it. I will say that one of the biggest opportunities is our talent pool in Cluj-Napoca and Romania as a whole. There are many talented, knowledgeable people here in the tech sector.

8x8: For you, what’s the appeal of working at 8x8?

AP: I am very passionate about my job. I’ve had the opportunity to grow and move between functions at 8x8, as well as working alongside colleagues in our global team, along great senior leaders and executives, which has always been rewarding for me. I would also say the team in Cluj-Napoca is one of the best benefits. We have great people and I enjoy working alongside them.

8x8: For others in the IT industry and beyond looking to advance to leadership, what advice would you give them?

AP: I follow a motto, relationships precede results. That means you must create the relationship, the rapport with the ones you’re interacting to reach the best outcome possible. To advance to leadership roles, one should connect with other leaders, inside and outside your organisation. Something that is helpful is knowing how to brand and promote yourself, which is something I have had to focus on as I’ve never been very comfortable with self-promotion.

8x8: What relevant books/podcasts/websites would you recommend for others to listen to?

AP: From a professional perspective, I recommend exploring the “Process Communication” method for identifying and understanding different types of communication first developed by the psychologist Taibi Kahler. It’s a useful tool that gives insight into why different people connect in different ways. I also recommend exploring “Nonviolent Communication” by Marshall Rosenberg, which is a very powerful listening and speaking tool that disarms our ways of talking and removes potential conflict.

8x8: In your downtime, what does relaxing look like?

AP: I like taking walks alongside the river Somes with my son and my husband. It’s very peaceful. On weekends, we usually spend time with our friends, barbequing or just enjoying good wine. I really like fashion too, so a few years ago I decided I would enrol at fashion school.

If you are interested in learning more about life and career opportunities at 8x8 in the EMEA region and around the world, check out our Life at 8x8 page on LinkedIn.

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