Okke Boonen’s journey from Benelux to Paris: taking on new challenges across borders

Thinking about an international career move?  
Okke Boonen reveals what it was like to transition from Sopra Steria Benelux to the Sopra Steria Group HR team in Paris. She shares what motivated her, what she learned, and why stepping outside your comfort zone can transform your career. 

Okke started in the Benelux region, bridging marketing and HR. “At the time, our Marketing and Communications team was very small, with only three people. This gave me the opportunity to work on different aspects of the field from the very start of my career, which helped me learn quickly,” she recalls.  

As the company grew, Okke’s responsibilities shifted from primarily employer branding and internal communications to a stronger focus on candidate marketing and employer branding. This shift meant Okke focused more on attracting talent and shaping the company’s external image, a key part of employer branding. “Employer branding is really about how you position your company to the outside world,” she explains. “It’s showing potential candidates why they should join us: through campaigns, social media and sharing what makes Sopra Steria a great place to work.” She adds: “I really enjoyed it and learned a lot because the team was growing, projects were becoming more professional, and I was gaining experience.” 

As the MarCom team expanded rapidly after several acquisitions, the dynamics shifted, and the environment no longer felt like the right fit for her. Although Okke was thriving in her role, she began to feel the need for change: "I enjoyed many aspects of my role, but I realised I wasn’t truly passionate about candidate marketing. What I really missed was working closely with people.” That’s when an unexpected opportunity came her way: a colleague from the Group HR team reached out about a role in Paris, focusing on employee experience. “On my own, I might never have considered going to the Group. But I’m ambitious and always want to learn more. It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” 

The move was driven by more than career progression. “At first, I realised the role itself suited me better, I missed working with people, and now that’s a big part of what I do. But of course, it was also about the experience; going to Paris sounded exciting!” 

Since Paris is only a short train ride away, she was given the flexibility to keep living in Belgium rather than relocate “I travel to Paris twice a month and stay for two or three days each time,” she explains. “It’s convenient and allows me to maintain my personal life in Belgium while staying connected with my team in Paris.” 

Her new position involves managing projects that impact up to 50,000 employees across multiple countries. One of her biggest responsibilities is the Great Place to Work survey, which goes far beyond data collection. “It’s about listening to employees, analysing results and helping managers act on feedback. For me, it’s a strategic tool to improve employee experience, not just an employer branding exercise,” she says.  “Employer branding is about how you show your company to the outside world, while employee experience is what happens inside. For me, it starts internally. If things aren’t right for your people, new hires won’t have a good experience. It’s about creating a strong foundation before showcasing it to the outside world.” 

Okke’s international role has also given her a fresh perspective. “You learn that people work differently in different countries. When you talk to someone from Spain, it’s not the same as talking to someone from India or Germany. It really teaches you to adapt and be mindful of cultural nuances. You can’t apply a one-size-fits-all approach when you’re working on initiatives for 50,000 people across multiple countries. It’s about listening, understanding and finding solutions that work for everyone.” 

What advice would she give to others considering a similar move? Okke doesn’t hesitate: “Do it. Even if you realise after six months that it’s not for you, it’s still a great experience and looks good on your CV. You can always switch back.” 

She believes an international move can be a real career booster, especially early on. “You learn so much, not just about the company, but also about yourself. It pushes you out of your comfort zone and gives you a broader perspective. Yes, it can be challenging at times, but the experience is invaluable. And remember, nothing is permanent.”