In today's article, we bring you a special episode from our interview series with experts from companies shaping a more transparent labor market in Romania. We're joined by Alina Soare, Regional Head of People Experience, Europe at Endava, who shares invaluable insights into the company's unique approach to career development and its strategic pivot towards an AI-native future. Discover the "secret ingredients" behind Endava's success in cultivating talent, empowering individual growth, and integrating cutting-edge AI into every aspect of its operations.

1. Alina, could you briefly share your professional journey and what drew you to learning and organisational development?

I joined Endava nearly nine years ago and have held various roles since then - People Development Business Partner, Head of People Development & Recruitment, People Experience Manager, and now Regional Head of People Experience, Europe at Endava.

Each step in my career has felt like a natural evolution, as I’ve always been passionate about creating learning experiences that help people grow.

For me, learning and organisational development have never been just a role - it’s a mindset. I believe in fostering environments where people feel empowered to explore, stretch, and evolve. That passion still drives me today.

Outside of work, you’ll often find me experimenting in the kitchen - cooking is my favourite way to unwind and stay creative.

2. From your experience, what does the employee journey at Endava look like - from joining the team to growing within the company?

From the moment someone joins Endava, we focus on their individual path. Our culture encourages each colleague to take ownership of their development. Whether it's exploring new disciplines, rotating across projects or changing industry verticals, there’s a strong framework that enables people to learn, try, and grow.

One of our key enablers is the Career Coaching role - a dedicated partner who helps employees navigate their journey. It’s not about handing out answers, but about guiding people to the right opportunities, tools or connections so they can take that next step with confidence. It's a journey built on both challenge and support, and our people know they’re not walking it alone.

3. What would you say truly differentiates Endava when it comes to culture and long-term career development?

One of our strongest differentiators is that every person owns their career, but they’re never left to do it alone. Our structure actively supports development, with roles like the Career Coach embedded into how we grow talent. It’s a role designed not for oversight, but for partnership - helping colleagues shape their path, unlock new skills and gain visibility into what’s next.

We also embrace a culture where it’s OK to try and fail. Progress often comes through experimentation, and we encourage people to stretch into new roles even if they don’t tick every box yet. Our feedback loops, support systems, and leadership principles are all built around that blend of autonomy, trust, and growth.

4. Let’s talk about AI: one of the biggest game-changers in recent years. What does this really mean for Endava in practical terms, for your colleagues and the way you position to the market?

Becoming AI-native at Endava isn’t about chasing trends - it’s about embedding AI purposefully into the way we work. That means enhancing workflows, creating smarter tools, and supporting our people in using AI to boost impact, not replace human ingenuity.

It’s a journey of continuous iteration, and we’re committed to helping everyone (from developers to business leaders) find value in it.

In practical terms, we’re seeing AI take shape in our learning programmes, delivery processes and even succession planning tools. Through our enterprise partnership with OpenAI, every colleague has access to Chat GPT Enterprise, custom GPT tools, including those tailored to internal frameworks like 5 Voices. These tools don’t just streamline tasks, they unlock new possibilities in how we collaborate and learn.

5. How are learning and development initiatives evolving to help employees adapt to this AI-native future?

We’re supporting this shift through two major pillars: the AI Academy and Endava University. The AI Academy builds foundational AI awareness across the company and provides tailored learning tracks for advanced technical roles. It's how we’re helping every colleague engage confidently with AI concepts.

Endava University complements this with a fully personalised, AI-assisted learning platform. It adapts to individual skills, roles and aspirations, making it easier for people to explore both technical excellence and leadership growth. Whether you’re a developer or a people manager, the learning path is aligned with your unique journey.

6. What advice would you give to professionals seeking to take a more strategic role in shaping AI and Data innovation within Endava?

First, stay curious and open to change. The shift towards AI-native work requires both technical skill and a mindset for experimentation. At Endava, we encourage people to be early adopters - not just by using tools, but by helping shape how we apply them in meaningful ways. Strategic roles in this space aren’t only about building systems; they’re about rethinking how we work.

We’re also deeply collaborative, especially with our clients. That means the best ideas often come from those who can bridge business context and technical innovation. If you’re ready to lead change, influence strategy and empower teams, there’s real space to grow here. And we’re always on the lookout for professionals who want to drive that next chapter.

7. Looking ahead, what are your priorities when it comes to recruitment? What types of roles are you focusing on, and how do they support Endava’s growth and vision?

We’re currently focused on strategic roles in Data and AI that will support our transition to AI-native structures - think teams collaborating with AI agents and redefined delivery models. These roles aren’t just technical, they’re pivotal in shaping how we scale innovation and value creation across regions.

Our hiring priorities reflect our long-term vision: to be a trusted technology partner that’s always ahead of the curve. We’re looking for talent who are not only strong in their field but who want to co-create the future with us. If that sounds like you, we’d love to connect - our current opportunities are listed at endava.com/careers/jobs.

Looking for a top employer that values your growth and embraces the future?

Join Endava! Explore their employer page on Undelucram.ro and take the next step towards a fulfilling career in an AI-native environment. Discover how Endava empowers its people to shape their professional journey and contribute to groundbreaking innovation.