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Watch the full interview with Jordan Stevens.
When Jordan Stevens joined Simms & Associates, the company was taking its first steps into North America. Having watched the business grow across EMEA for several years, he was already familiar with the journey from afar and admired what Amanda and the team were building.
“I’d always joked that if Simms ever came across the pond, they should look me up,” he recalls.
Eventually, that opportunity arrived. Joining during the early days of the North American expansion gave Jordan the chance to become part of something new from the very beginning.
From the outset, he knew exactly what to expect. The North American team was still small, with all the excitement, challenges and opportunities that come with building something from the ground up.
“That startup feeling was really what I wanted,” he explains.
Looking back, seeing the business evolve from a handful of people into a fully established team has been one of the most rewarding parts of his journey.
Learning to grow alongside others
One of the most significant challenges Jordan faced was stepping into leadership.
Like many consultants, he was used to focusing on his own work and delivering results. Becoming a Team Lead required a different mindset — one that focused not only on personal success but also on helping others develop and thrive.
“It pushed me out of my comfort zone,” he says.
While the transition was challenging, it also became one of the most rewarding experiences of his career. Supporting team members, helping them grow and celebrating their success gave him a new perspective on leadership and personal development.
Another lesson that stands out is adaptability.
From the earliest days of the North American business, Jordan found himself wearing multiple hats. Consultant, architect, trainer, manager and even supporting sales activities — every day brought something different.
“Adaptability has really been the major theme from the beginning,” he reflects.
Working at Simms has shown him the importance of being flexible, especially when tackling the complex, non-standard challenges that customers bring to the team. Rather than relying on cookie-cutter solutions, Jordan believes the company’s strength comes from its willingness to think creatively and do whatever is needed to achieve the right outcome.
“It all speaks to the white-glove service that we deliver to our customers,” he explains.
A global team with a personal connection
Although Jordan initially joined the North American side of the business, he quickly realised that Simms operates as one global team.
“The idea that EMEA is just some other part of the company couldn’t be further from the truth,” he says.
Whether through project collaboration, internal forums, team channels or more informal conversations, people across the business remain closely connected. For Jordan, that balance between professional collaboration and genuine personal relationships is one of Simms’ greatest strengths.
Global Connect has become a particularly important part of that experience. Bringing colleagues together from around the world provides an opportunity to reconnect, celebrate achievements and strengthen relationships that extend far beyond day-to-day work.
As the company has grown, Jordan believes one thing has remained unchanged: the culture.
“We’ve always been a boutique firm,” he explains.
For him, being boutique is not about size. It is about expertise, organic growth and delivering a personalised level of service. More importantly, it is about maintaining the culture that has always defined the company.
“We don’t want to lose those personal friendships,” he says.
That culture, combined with the opportunities for both personal and professional growth, is one of the main reasons he has stayed.
“This is the place to be if you’re working in HCM,” he says.
Looking ahead, Jordan is excited by one thing above all else: growth.
Growth for the company, growth for North America and growth for the people who make Simms what it is today.
“Hopefully we can have some of that same growth that Simms overall has had over its 10 years,” he says.
As our 10th Birthday Series continues, we keep celebrating the people who have shaped Simms & Associates — and those who continue to drive its future.
One story every week. One year celebrating the people behind Simms & Associates.