Kymberly (Kym) Jones, Northern Region Manager at Stellar Recruitment NZ, is redefining what it means to be a working mum in New Zealand’s fast paced recruitment industry. With a leadership style grounded in authenticity and purpose, Kym is proof that you don’t have to choose between being a great parent and a successful professional.
“I don’t necessarily believe in work-life balance,” Kym says. “To me, everything is all one thing. I do what it takes when it needs to be done.”
As a mother to 2 year old daughter Ruby, Kym’s approach to parenting and leadership is both practical and empowering. She’s not chasing perfection, she is focused on impact. “You can never give 100% to everything at once,” she explains. “Something always has to give a little, and that’s okay!”
Kym’s journey into leadership wasn’t linear. “I failed high school. I didn’t have university entrance,” she shares. “But I went on to get a degree in two and a half years while working full-time.” Growing up in South Auckland, she defied the odds to rise through the ranks in a competitive industry.
Now, she is focused on legacy, both at home and in her career. “Professionally, I want to leave the recruitment industry better than I found it. And personally, I want Ruby to be set up in a much better way than I was.”
Kym returned to work just 10 weeks after giving birth, not out of pressure, but because she knew what she needed to thrive. “I have always known I am not someone who could stay at home with a newborn for an extended period,” she says. With the support of her partner and a flexible work structure, she created a routine that works: early starts and finishing by 3:30pm to spend afternoons with Ruby.
Her story highlights the importance of supportive workplaces and intentional planning. “I made sure I was in the right role, with the right leadership, before starting a family,” she says. “That made all the difference for me.”
In an industry known for its intensity, Kym’s leadership is a breath of fresh air. She’s not just managing a team, she is modelling what is possible for other women in recruitment and beyond.
“I have chosen to be a mother. I have chosen to do what I do. And I see my career as something that helps me achieve the life I want for my family.”
