Managing Director – Transport/Logistics Company
Background
While successfully operating in the Republic of Ireland market, our client looked to invest time and resources into transforming the performance of its Northern Ireland business and specifically wanted to appoint a Managing Director to drive the profitable growth of the business forward. With limited knowledge of the NI marketplace, the client was recommended to use Clarendon Executive and engaged us to manage the entire recruitment process.
The business’ NI operation, contributing approximately €2m to the €25m turnover, had very limited market penetration and minimal brand presence outside the ROI. The challenge therefore was attracting a Senior Manager into what could have been perceived as a start-up business and attracting a candidate with the right blend of skills and experience to drive performance in a competitive market. The client also expressed a sense of urgency in the appointment to coincide with other developments within the business and was keen to secure an appointment within 8 weeks.
Methodology
Clarendon spent several hours with the key directors of the business to conduct a detailed job analysis and gained a detailed understanding of the business, its culture and the precise requirements. Clarendon produced a comprehensive Candidate Briefing Document including a job description, the candidate specification and the core competencies.
Clarendon recommended the ‘Select +’ approach combining a proactive and direct search within direct competitors. The search was supported by an advertisement in the Belfast Telegraph and a number of trusted internet recruitment websites.
Although this was a niche market sector, using our intimate knowledge of the industry in question and the networks of reliable industry sources known to us Clarendon managed to identify a total of 44 (forty four) potential candidates, all of whom were discretely approached, assessed and invited to apply as appropriate.
Clarendon invited thirteen to the first stage of the process which comprised of a one hour competency based interview by a highly skilled consultant. Candidates were assessed thoroughly and a shortlist of five genuine contenders was presented to our client for further assessment.
Clarendon facilitated the second phase of the assessment process including the design of structured competence based interviews and the development of a bespoke Case study exercise that was designed to specifically test strategic insight and commercial awareness. Because the calibre of the shortlist was so high, the case study helped to differentiate between the candidates. While impressed by all five candidates, the client was convinced that any of the top three candidates were capable of fulfilling the position.
Throughout the assignment, Clarendon managed the contacts and correspondences with all candidates and conducted all Equality Monitoring returns
Outcome
Through an open and collaborative discussion our client opted to offer the lead candidate the position and after Clarendon had conducted detailed career referencing, we assisted in negotiation of salary and secured the appointment. It was completed within 7 weeks of commencement, 1 week ahead of schedule.
This assignment is a good example where market knowledge was the essential ingredient in getting direct access to a significant number of qualified candidates, many of whom were not actively job seeking or would have responded to a press advertisement alone.
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