By Zoie Teytelbaum, Managing Director, Landing Point Corporate Services
Why HR Utility Players Are Essential
In today’s fast-paced business environment, HR professionals who can adapt across multiple responsibilities are in high demand. Known as “utility players,” these individuals bring versatility and strategic value, stepping into various roles—from talent acquisition and employee relations to benefits administration and compliance—without missing a beat.
Utility players are invaluable because they can pivot quickly to meet organizational needs, filling gaps and driving initiatives with minimal direction. So many of today’s hiring managers are seeking out these individuals because they bring flexibility, problem-solving abilities, and a unique perspective to every challenge, making them indispensable assets to any team. Cultivating these skills not only strengthens your HR career but also makes a meaningful impact on your organization’s efficiency and employee experience.
In the dynamic world of human resources, a “utility player” is a professional who can seamlessly adapt to various responsibilities and excel across multiple areas. These individuals thrive by stepping into different roles and delivering value wherever needed, often spanning talent acquisition, employee relations, benefits administration, compliance, and more.
[Zoie Teytelbaum, Managing Director on Landing Point Corporate Services team, shares actionable tips on becoming a versatile utility player in HR and delivering value across multiple functions.]
Key Takeaways
- Develop a generalist skill set: Gain exposure across recruitment, payroll, compliance, diversity initiatives, and more to broaden expertise.
- Be adaptable: Embrace projects outside your comfort zone and view change as a growth opportunity.
- Cultivate problem-solving abilities: Anticipate challenges and create solutions aligned with organizational goals.
- Build strong relationships: Foster trust and collaboration across employees, leadership, and external partners.
- Leverage technology: Master HRIS platforms and analytics tools to make data-driven decisions and demonstrate ROI.
Utility players are highly sought after in HR because they combine versatility with strategic impact. Organizations value these professionals not only for their ability to cover multiple functions but also for their capacity to drive efficiency and maintain continuity during transitions or scaling initiatives.
Why this advice matters today: In rapidly changing workplaces, HR teams need individuals who can pivot seamlessly, contribute to diverse projects, and maintain operational stability. Utility players provide both tactical and strategic value, connecting daily HR operations with the company’s broader mission.
Common mistakes HR professionals make:
- Focusing narrowly on one function instead of gaining exposure across multiple HR areas.
- Avoiding stretch projects or roles outside their comfort zone.
- Underestimating the importance of relationship-building and cross-department collaboration.
- Failing to leverage technology to drive data-driven insights and decision-making.
By actively developing a broad skill set, embracing adaptability, honing problem-solving skills, fostering relationships, and leveraging HR technology, you position yourself as a highly valuable utility player. These professionals not only ensure operational efficiency but also contribute to a positive employee experience, supporting both team morale and organizational success.
Ready to Become a Utility Player in HR?
Looking to expand your impact as an HR professional? Landing Point’s Corporate Services team works with HR talent to develop versatility, strategic skills, and leadership capabilities. Contact us to explore opportunities to grow, adapt, and thrive as a utility player in your HR career.
Transcript
Zoie Teytelbaum:
In the dynamic world of human resources, a “utility player” is someone who can seamlessly adapt to various responsibilities and deliver value wherever needed. These professionals thrive by stepping into different roles—talent acquisition, employee relations, benefits administration, compliance, and more—ensuring critical functions are covered and contributing to a positive employee experience.
Why utility players are valued:
- Cost-effectiveness: Reduce the need for multiple specialists while boosting efficiency.
- Agility in scaling or restructuring: Adapt to evolving business demands and maintain operational continuity.
- Strategic perspective: Connect tactical HR work with the company’s broader mission.
5 Tips to Become a Utility Player in HR:
- Develop a generalist skill set: Gain exposure across HR functions, stay active at all levels, and pursue ongoing learning through workshops, networking, or certifications.
- Be adaptable: Embrace projects outside your comfort zone and thrive in dynamic environments.
- Cultivate a problem-solving mindset: Anticipate challenges and develop solutions aligned with organizational goals.
- Build strong relationships: Foster trust with employees, leadership, and vendors to ensure collaboration and alignment.
- Be tech-savvy: Leverage HRIS platforms and analytics to make data-driven decisions and demonstrate ROI.
By cultivating these qualities, HR professionals position themselves as utility players—versatile, valuable, and ready to thrive in any HR environment.
About Zoie Teytelbaum
Zoie Teytelbaum is a Managing Director at Landing Point, leading Corporate Services executive search across the Tri-State area and Florida. With a background in sales and a sharp focus on operational and human capital leadership, she oversees searches for chief administrative officers, heads of human resources, and senior executive assistant roles within asset management, private equity, hedge funds, and family office platforms.
Zoie regularly advises clients on hiring trends, compensation benchmarking, and candidate experience strategy, often mentoring fund leaders that are launching or scaling new teams. As someone integral to the growth of Landing Point, she also spearheads initiatives to elevate internal collaboration and technology adoption. A Florida native and University of Florida graduate, she loves stand-up comedy, exploring coastal cities, and discovering new restaurants with her husband.