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.”

Shaun McCambridge and the Stellar Team at Stellar X

Stellar X 2025: A Celebration of Purpose, Resilience, and Community Impact

By Shazamme System User • June 19, 2025
Stellar X 2025 united changemakers in Brisbane for a powerful day of purpose, resilience, and community impact—raising $16K for charity.
Stellar Recruitment Team at the RCSAs 2025

Katie France Wins Recruitment Professional of the Year at 2025 RCSA Awards; Stellar Recruitment Celebrated for Safety and Wellbeing Excellence

By Shazamme System User • June 12, 2025
Stellar Recruitment is proud to announce that Katie France has been named Recruitment Professional of the Year at the prestigious 2025 RCSA Industry Awards in New Zealand. This recognition celebrates Katie’s exceptional customer service, mentorship of others and unwavering commitment to excellence in her profession.

A full circle moment at Stellar Recruitment

By Shazamme System User • May 27, 2025
In the world of recruitment, relationships are everything. For Kymberly (Kym) Jones and Kavitha Raj , their professional journey is a testament to the power of long-term connections and the values that define Stellar Recruitment. Their story began in 2015, when Kym, then a recruiter, placed Kavitha at the Department of Corrections as a Recruitment Advisor. Kym and Kavitha continued their relationship, where Kym partnered with Kavitha to fill roles within the organisation. Kym recalls those visits vividly, checking in at Auckland Women’s Prison, locking away personal items, passing through scanners, and walking through secure corridors to meet Kavitha in her office. Though their roles changed over time, the connection remained. They kept in touch through LinkedIn, liking, commenting, and quietly cheering each other on from afar. Then, in late 2024, a simple message from Kavitha reignited the conversation. That message, sent through LinkedIn, marked the beginning of a new chapter as Kavitha looked for her next role. Kavitha had built an impressive career, working with several organisations including Korn Ferry and GHD. Eventually, she made the move to Stellar Recruitment, completing a full-circle moment that neither of them had anticipated but are both equally thrilled about.  “I sent Kym a message on LinkedIn letting her know I was looking for my next role. As luck would have it, Kym was looking for a new team member and as they say, the rest is history.” Said Kavitha. For Kym, this journey is more than just a professional milestone. “In New Zealand, we say it’s two degrees of separation, at most,” she says. “My dad always told me, if you have the opportunity to help someone, do it. It will come back to you.” That philosophy has guided her throughout her career. “You’re taught that your clients may become your candidates. But I never imagined one would become a colleague.” With Kavitha managing the engineering and consultancy team at Stellar, their relationship has evolved once again. It is a powerful reminder of why long-term relationships matter. At Stellar Recruitment, it is not just about filling roles, it is about building trust, nurturing connections, and creating opportunities that come full circle.