Episode
The Cybersecurity Recruiter talks to April Jenkins, Senior Director, Managed Services and Service Desk, EliteOps
- Published
- Mar 26, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2424
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Summary
Leading Managed Security Services: Growth, Hiring Advice, and Playing to Your Strengths with April Jenkins Thomas chats with April Jenkins, Senior Director of Managed Services/Service Desk at Elite Ops, about her career path, and how she prioritizes both customer outcomes and team growth, balance, and psychological safety. April explains her organization’s expansion from 9 to 42 people through new hiring and team consolidation, and discusses current market conditions: high candidate volume, employer decisions about remote vs. office, and the importance of responsiveness, accurately matching job requirements, and adding short notes with resumes. She shares career guidance on focusing on strengths, staying authentic, reading the room, building relationships through problem-solving, and sustaining momentum via small daily wins and protected thinking time. Recommendation: a strengths-focused book (described as “maximizing your strengths”) and the “do unto others” golden rule from a Dr Pepper Museum exhibit. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:26 April’s Career Origins 02:45 Life Running 24/7 Support 05:03 Team Culture and Mindset 06:31 Scaling from 9 to 42 07:13 Hiring in a Tough Market 11:10 Standing Out as a Candidate 14:39 Internships and Career Switchers 15:12 Advice for Career Growth 17:19 Strengths and Relationship Building 20:15 Finding Your Niche in Security 21:29 Find Your Strengths 22:20 Define Your Core 24:12 Write It Down Daily 25:24 Protect Thinking Time 26:29 Start Small Habits 28:40 Momentum From Small Wins 29:51 Ignore Social Media Timelines 32:15 Relationships As Deposits 34:33 Authenticity And Feedback 37:36 Golden Rule Leadership 40:00 Wrap Up And Thanks