Jurjen Harskamp 

Feedback is our fuel, we build
what people actually need."

Building tech solutions with real impact

Christine Koekkoek began her career in the medical field but quickly discovered that her passion lies in creativity, technology, and solving complex problems. Through various startups, she transitioned into product management, where everything came together for her: building, collaborating, and continuously improving.

At HeadFirst Group, Christine started as a business analyst and quickly advanced to product manager. Now, she leads the team responsible for enrolment & retention within Striive – the platform for professionals, suppliers, and clients. “We develop features that really help people —from registration to long-term use— and we do this in close collaboration with our users. Feedback is our fuel.”

From feedback to innovation

One of her first projects? Improving the search experience for freelancers. “Users indicated that the assignment page wasn’t intuitive enough. We listened, designed, tested, and rolled it out. The result: a faster and more pleasant search for assignments,” Christine explains.
This customer-oriented approach is deeply embedded in the DNA of HeadFirst Group. “We continuously analyse feedback and translate it into concrete product improvements. This way, we build a platform that is better aligned with real-world needs.”

She doesn’t do this alone. “I work with a dedicated product team: a designer, software engineers, and a tester. At the beginning of the week, we set a goal, and every morning, we review what’s needed to achieve that goal. We work pragmatically and agile, delivering continuous value in small steps, and improving constantly based on what we learn.”

International growth with impact

Christine and her team are working on projects that make an impact across borders. For Impellam Group —the international company that, together with HeadFirst Group, forms HeadFirst Global— they’re developing a self-service module for supplier onboarding. “This saves time, improves quality, and ensures suppliers can start more quickly,” explains Christine.

But it’s not just about efficiency. “We’re also exploring new ways to attract talent, both locally and internationally. This is essential to our ambition of becoming the largest flexible talent pool in Europe and an attractive partner for international clients. That’s where it really gets interesting.”

And there’s more on the agenda. “We’re preparing Striive for international roll-out. Think about integrating systems, data structures, and processes that work not only in the Benelux but also in the UK, the US, and Australia. Every choice is backed by data, prototypes, and validations – that’s how we build sustainable, scalable solutions.”

Growing as a professional and as a person

The international collaboration brings not only technical challenges but also personal growth. “I work with people from various countries, each with their own ways of working and cultures. This requires flexibility and strong communication. It’s challenging, but incredibly educational – especially in change management and strategic collaboration.”

You + HeadFirst Group = building the future

For Christine, it was important to work for an organisation that aligns with her values. “I haven’t completely let go of my medical background – I wanted to do something with and for people, but in the tech field. At HeadFirst Group, this comes together: tech & people connected.”

Her message to future colleagues? “At HeadFirst Group, you get the freedom and responsibility to really build something. If you’re curious, take initiative, and like working at the intersection of technology and people, you’ll feel right at home here. You don’t need to know everything already – if you want to grow, you’ll have all the space you need for that.”