James Lord 🚀
Validity + data = references become reliable hiring intelligence. Building @ Refapp.com
Humans hire humans. Reference checks matter more than ever.
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I help Talent/HR go beyond the resume 'highlight reel', or the 'overly polished' interview to uncover real, observed behaviors, habits & patterns, revealing how your candidates really show up and perform, benchmarked to their peers. Most reference check processes are either overlooked, or broken – rushed calls, outdated generic questions, or only confirming what we already know. Evidence-based role-specific questions & prompts reveal red flags, validate strengths, and dramatically reduce hiring risk. Think 'SWOT analysis' of the candidate. We also validate and verify authenticity, because now that's tougher than ever. All automated inside your ATS/HRIS, returned in hours. I'm passionate about driving success in HRTech and WorkTech startups & scale-ups. With a proven track record of building from zero and scaling globally. I thrive on creating transformative change and streamlining processes for my clients. I’m dedicated to delivering results in a collaborative and dynamic environment. Outside of work, you’ll find me running, in the gym, hiking mountains, riding motorbikes, or jetting off to new destinations.
GTM Index
- JAMES LORDJOB
- GTM Lead1Y
GTM Lead
James Lord
I partner with WorkTech companies to drive growth from early-stage through to market expansion and category leadership.
- REFAPPJOB
- Head of Americas11M
Head of Americas
Refapp
Structure + Automation = Benchmarked Insights and higher performance. Evidence-based, role-specific questions that assess skills, abilities, ensure cultural alignment and organizational citizenship. The data proves it: when you ask the right questions in the right way, you hire employees who perform better, stay longer, and contribute more to your organization’s success. Seamlessly integrated into the worlds biggest ATS. Ashby. Fountain. Greenhouse. Lever. SAP SuccessFactors. SmartRecruiters. TeamTailor. Workable. Workday and more. James@refapp.com // +1 437-345-2442
- GAIAJOB
- VP Americas11M
VP Americas
Gaia
Gaia is an AI candidate attraction tool that leverages social media to target the right candidates and motivates them to apply. I led the global expansion and growth efforts with initial focus into the the US.
- XREFJOB
- SVP Revenue & Growth - Ame…3Y 1M
SVP Revenue & Growth - Americas
Xref
(ASX: XF1) I was on the start-up team that launched Xref internationally and secured all of the first customers outside of APAC. After successfully building the business from zero to profit in EMEA, I was asked to relocate from London to accelerate our North American expansion and build out our high-growth ARR model. As a 'player-coach,' I lead a team of 10 from N America HQ in Toronto and influence our growth, product adoption, and market fit, globally. FY23 - Top NB Contributor globally, by 1.9x revenue over the next highest biller FY23 - Highest performing salesperson in 11 of 12 months FY23 - NAMER only region to exceed targets in every Quarter FY22 - Top NB Contributor, globally FY…
- Sales Dir - Americas1Y 11M
Sales Director - Americas
Xref
Took control of all inbound leads and review operations/forecasting across Americas Region ‘Player Coach’ remaining a high-performing individual contributor while hiring/managing 4 new NB AE’s FY21 - Achieved 119% target FY21 - Top Individual contributor globally, Q1 and Q3 FY21 FY20 - Achieved 138% target FY20 - Top Individual contributor globally, Q2 and Q3 FY20
- Senior Enterprise Account…1Y 3M
Senior Enterprise Account Executive - Americas
Xref
Quickly rose to a top performer achieving FY19 - 135% target in FY19 All New Business FY19 - Won notable logos and ‘cornerstone clients’ in education, healthcare, staffing and tech industries FY19 - ‘Driven by Ambition’ award FY19 - Earned appreciation Trip to GHQ Sydney (Presidents club)
- Senior Account Executive E…2Y
Senior Account Executive EMEA
Xref
Experienced in building other HRTech businesses from the ground up, I was asked to join the start-up team that launched Xref internationally. I secured all of the first paying customers outside of APAC. $0 to $125k ARR in 18 months without playbooks, zero marketing spend and a handful of partnerships. FY16 - Earned appreciation Trip to GHQ Sydney (Presidents club) FY16 - Earned appreciation award 'Driven by Ambition' After successfully launching the business in EMEA, I was asked to relocate from London to accelerate our growth in North America.
- HACKING HRJOB
- Partner3Y 11M
Partner
Hacking HR
- #CHATTALENTJOB
- Regional Co-Editor for Nor…2Y 11M
Regional Co-Editor for North America @ #ChatTalent
#ChatTalent
- RESUME-LIBRARY.COMJOB
- Head of Sales and Customer…1Y 11M
Head of Sales and Customer Success
Resume-Library.com
Resume-Library.com is an international job board with an initial focus on the USA. Relocated after an approach from successful UK Entrepreneur to start companies commercial activity. Responsible for all Customer and Sales related matters from day one. Built sales structure from the ground up, KPI and target setting, phone scripts, email templates, media packs, supporting sales documents and pricing rate cards for various customer types, taking into account re-sellers and bulk buyers. Interviewed, hired, trained, managed & motivated team. Dealt with all day-to-day challenges independently, maintaining a positive environment at all times. Successfully billed over $50,000 in the first six…
- BLOOM SEARCHJOB
- Commercial Mgr1Y 11M
Commercial Manager
Bloom Search
Start-up recruitment business operating in IoT and ERP Software markets. • Sold Retained Search Assignments. • Brought on 20+ new client accounts. • Won and placed into account at agencies highest margin - 21.5% • Sourced over 40 requirements (roles) in the UK, NL, Germany and the Nordics, many exclusively. • Got onto PSL's with multimillion-pound global businesses. • Self billed and placed candidates.
- MYJOBMATCHER.COMJOB
- Commercial Mgr2Y 11M
Commercial Manager
MyJobMatcher.com
MyJobMatcher is HRTech that matches Job seekers' CVs/Resumes to Jobs, supplying Job Boards with high-quality job application responses. • Secured over 100 new business accounts • Maintained 98% account Retention Rate and grew ARR consistently • Established preferred partnerships with candidate and CV/Resume suppliers • Industry & product expert. Nominated for various awards including ‘Unsung hero of the Year’ • Demonstrated exponential revenue and user growth • Set benchmark KPIs and lead from the front with direct reporting staff • Delivered all expectations of Directors and Shareholders Ultimately I took a brand new product to market reaching profit within one year of launch
- JOBG8.COMJOB
- Senior Account Mgr - APAC1Y 11M
Senior Account Manager - APAC
Jobg8.com
Jobg8.com is Talent Acquisition technology that provides an online marketplace for Job applications to be bought and sold between career and job websites. • Seconded to Sydney after 10 months • Built relationships with some of the notoriously 'hard' prospects to break into • Increased existing APAC client base by 25%
- Senior Account Mgr - EMEA1Y 11M
Senior Account Manager - EMEA
Jobg8.com
• Top global salesperson within three months until leaving • Became the go-to guy for all future business development • Identified, established, and oversaw new Joint Venture partnerships • Highly commended 'Unsung hero of the year' Onrec Awards
- Job: Xref — Sales Director - Americas · 2019-07 – 2021-06 — Took control of all inbound leads and review operations/forecasting across Americas Region ‘Player Coach’ remaining a high-performing individual contributor while hiring/managing 4 new NB AE’s FY21 - Achieved 119% target FY21 - Top Individual contributor globally, Q1 and Q3 FY21 FY20 - Achieved 138% target FY20 - Top Individual contributor globally, Q2 and Q3 FY20
- Job: Jobg8.com — Senior Account Manager - APAC · 2010 – 2011 — Jobg8.com is Talent Acquisition technology that provides an online marketplace for Job applications to be bought and sold between career and job websites. • Seconded to Sydney after 10 months • Built relationships with some of the notoriously 'hard' prospects to break into • Increased existing APAC client base by 25%
- Job: Bloom Search — Commercial Manager · 2014 – 2015 — Start-up recruitment business operating in IoT and ERP Software markets. • Sold Retained Search Assignments. • Brought on 20+ new client accounts. • Won and placed into account at agencies highest margin - 21.5% • Sourced over 40 requirements (roles) in the UK, NL, Germany and the Nordics, many exclusively. • Got onto PSL's with multimillion-pound global businesses. • Self billed and placed candidates.
- Job: James Lord — GTM Lead · 2025-08 – present — I partner with WorkTech companies to drive growth from early-stage through to market expansion and category leadership.
- Job: Xref — SVP Revenue & Growth - Americas · 2021-07 – 2024-08 — (ASX: XF1) I was on the start-up team that launched Xref internationally and secured all of the first customers outside of APAC. After successfully building the business from zero to profit in EMEA, I was asked to relocate from London to accelerate our North American expansion and build out our high-growth ARR model. As a 'player-coach,' I lead a team of 10 from N America HQ in Toronto and influence our growth, product adoption, and market fit, globally. FY23 - Top NB Contributor globally, by 1.9x revenue over the next highest biller FY23 - Highest performing salesperson in 11 of 12 months FY23 - NAMER only region to exceed targets in every Quarter FY22 - Top NB Contributor, globally FY…
- Job: Xref — Senior Account Executive EMEA · 2016-02 – 2018-02 — Experienced in building other HRTech businesses from the ground up, I was asked to join the start-up team that launched Xref internationally. I secured all of the first paying customers outside of APAC. $0 to $125k ARR in 18 months without playbooks, zero marketing spend and a handful of partnerships. FY16 - Earned appreciation Trip to GHQ Sydney (Presidents club) FY16 - Earned appreciation award 'Driven by Ambition' After successfully launching the business in EMEA, I was asked to relocate from London to accelerate our growth in North America.
- Job: Jobg8.com — Senior Account Manager - EMEA · 2009 – 2010 — • Top global salesperson within three months until leaving • Became the go-to guy for all future business development • Identified, established, and oversaw new Joint Venture partnerships • Highly commended 'Unsung hero of the year' Onrec Awards
- Job: MyJobMatcher.com — Commercial Manager · 2012 – 2014 — MyJobMatcher is HRTech that matches Job seekers' CVs/Resumes to Jobs, supplying Job Boards with high-quality job application responses. • Secured over 100 new business accounts • Maintained 98% account Retention Rate and grew ARR consistently • Established preferred partnerships with candidate and CV/Resume suppliers • Industry & product expert. Nominated for various awards including ‘Unsung hero of the Year’ • Demonstrated exponential revenue and user growth • Set benchmark KPIs and lead from the front with direct reporting staff • Delivered all expectations of Directors and Shareholders Ultimately I took a brand new product to market reaching profit within one year of launch
- Job: Gaia — VP Americas · 2024-09 – 2025-08 — Gaia is an AI candidate attraction tool that leverages social media to target the right candidates and motivates them to apply. I led the global expansion and growth efforts with initial focus into the the US.
- Job: Xref — Senior Enterprise Account Executive - Americas · 2018-03 – 2019-06 — Quickly rose to a top performer achieving FY19 - 135% target in FY19 All New Business FY19 - Won notable logos and ‘cornerstone clients’ in education, healthcare, staffing and tech industries FY19 - ‘Driven by Ambition’ award FY19 - Earned appreciation Trip to GHQ Sydney (Presidents club)
- Job: Resume-Library.com — Head of Sales and Customer Success · 2015 – 2016 — Resume-Library.com is an international job board with an initial focus on the USA. Relocated after an approach from successful UK Entrepreneur to start companies commercial activity. Responsible for all Customer and Sales related matters from day one. Built sales structure from the ground up, KPI and target setting, phone scripts, email templates, media packs, supporting sales documents and pricing rate cards for various customer types, taking into account re-sellers and bulk buyers. Interviewed, hired, trained, managed & motivated team. Dealt with all day-to-day challenges independently, maintaining a positive environment at all times. Successfully billed over $50,000 in the first six…
- Job: Refapp — Head of Americas · 2025-09 – present — Structure + Automation = Benchmarked Insights and higher performance. Evidence-based, role-specific questions that assess skills, abilities, ensure cultural alignment and organizational citizenship. The data proves it: when you ask the right questions in the right way, you hire employees who perform better, stay longer, and contribute more to your organization’s success. Seamlessly integrated into the worlds biggest ATS. Ashby. Fountain. Greenhouse. Lever. SAP SuccessFactors. SmartRecruiters. TeamTailor. Workable. Workday and more. James@refapp.com // +1 437-345-2442
- Job: Hacking HR — Partner · 2018 – 2021
- Job: #ChatTalent — Regional Co-Editor for North America @ #ChatTalent · 2019 – 2021
- School: Chartered Institute of Public Relations — Public Relations & Social Media
- School: Chelmsford College — E-Business, Business and IT
Skills
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