Talentech people stories: Miriam about moving abroad for opportunities and unexpected growth

Miriam Jimenez Garcia is currently the Manager of the Customer Success team at Talentech’s Dutch office located in Amsterdam. Originally from Spain, she joined the company just over three years ago after moving from Barcelona to Amsterdam for a new chapter and a new role in a country she had never lived in. 

“I didn’t speak Dutch, but I was ready for something new. I liked the product, the culture felt like a good fit, and I was open to relocating within Europe,” she explains. 

She started out as a Customer Success Manager, supporting clients in the Benelux market and beyond — a role she loved for its direct impact and collaboration. But her story soon took an unexpected turn that would launch her into leadership. 

Stepping up when it wasn't the plan 

Last year, when her team manager went on an extended leave, Miriam was asked to temporarily take over the team. She had no formal managerial experience at the time. 

“I had no formal managerial experience before, so it was definitely a switch. I went from being focused on my own clients to thinking about the team. How to support them, how to delegate, how to lead. And honestly, I learned all of it on the go.” 

At first, the arrangement was clearly temporary. But after ten months of proving herself, and with her predecessor heading out on personal leave, Miriam was offered the position on a permanent basis. 

“It didn’t feel like a huge switch, because I’d already been doing it. But now I can plan longer term, improve processes, and continue building stability for my team.” 

Returning from maternity leave straight into leadership 

What makes Miriam’s story even more impressive is that she stepped into this role just four months after returning from maternity leave. 

“Motherhood is one of the most beautiful journeys I’ve had – and one of the toughest. Returning to work and jumping into a leadership role was a challenge, no doubt. But once I got my structure in place, I felt I could manage it.” 

Despite the timing, she never felt pressure or uncertainty from her team or manager. 

“From the moment I announced my pregnancy, I felt fully supported. There was never any stress about work. I could focus on becoming a mom, and I came back knowing I had a place here.” 

Leadership with trust 

When asked about the biggest lessons in her new role, Miriam has a clear answer – shifting her perspective from tasks to people. 

“I had to stop thinking about just my own clients and start thinking about the entire team. How to support them, how to help them grow, how to create better structures for everyone.” 

And perhaps the most rewarding moment at the company wasn’t from above, but precisely from within the team of people around Miriam. 

“When I first stepped up, my teammates were really supportive. That meant the world. You can have support from your manager, and that’s really important, but when your team trusts you, it makes a real difference in how you work together.” 

What's next?

Now leading a team of four, Miriam is focused on scaling smartly and improving internal processes to make things smoother for her team, and even better for their clients. 

“We're in a scale-up phase. I want to simplify where we can and keep our clients happy, that’s always the end goal.” 

Miriam’s story is one of adaptability, quiet confidence, and growing into leadership maybe not necessarily by design, but by showing up fully when it mattered most. 

“I didn’t ask for the role. But I took it on, I gave it everything, and I’ve learned so much along the way.” 

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