Chief Operating Officer – Public Sector
Background
Following a strategic review of the organisation it was evident that the business needed to realign and restructure its Senior Management Team to deliver against corporate and strategic objectives, to ensure delivery of a quality service that contributed to the development of the local economy.
The appointment of a Chief Operating Officer would strengthen the management team and most importantly provide robustness and support at the most senior level within the organisation, providing support to the Chief Executive. Internally this would provide a focus in direction, clear lines of accountability and structured and formal business planning processes to deliver industry requirements.
Following a formal tendering process Clarendon Executive were engaged to manage this key appointment in accordance with best practice recruitment principles and NICS Recruitment Code of Practice.
Methodology
Clarendon appointed a Project Manager to act as the key point of contact with the client and agreed communication lines and milestones for reporting with the Human Resources Director. Following the strategic review of the business a detailed job description and personnel specification was designed, benchmarked and approved. A detailed application form was produced to collective information and evidence of essential and desirable criteria, to facilitate the short-listing process.
On consideration of the requirements of the post and the need to ensure objectivity, transparency and accountability throughout the entire process Clarendon recommended the ‘Select’ approach.
A prominent recruitment advertisement was placed in recommended media and internet recruitment websites to promote the opportunity widely and invite applications from suitably skilled personnel.
A diverse pool of candidates were attracted to this senior management opportunity and Clarendon invested significant time and resources discussing the impact of the role, the culture of the organisation and the skills that were necessary to deliver to ensure organisational ‘fit’ against candidate expectations.
Clarendon designed and implemented a robust selection methodology that included a first and final stage assessment process. Key to the success of this process was close consultation with the client throughout the design phase to ensure that the tailored assessment would accurately measure and assess against organisational specific requirements. Key competencies and performance criteria were identified and agreed in conjunction with all panel members and the benchmark for performance in the role was established.
Short-listing was conducted by a panel from Clarendon which was representative of the community in terms of gender and religion to ensure adherence to best practice guidelines. The first stage of selection was independently managed by a panel from Clarendon with successful candidates invited to a final, multi-stage assessment chaired by a Board representative, the Chief Executive and a representative from Clarendon.
Outcome
Following a rigorous process that was delivered within extremely tight timeframes, the successful candidate was identified. Clarendon managed the communication process with all candidates, both successful and unsuccessful and where relevant detailed formal feedback was offered to all candidates, to ensure that they could implement any learning from the process and their performance into any future recruitment process they may engage in. This offer is essential to ensure that all candidates have a positive experience of both Clarendon and our client, and our credibility and professionalism is evident throughout all stages of the process.
This assignment demonstrated Clarendon’s ability to manage public sector appointments at the highest level, within a sector that is highly scrutinised and demands the application of best practice principles in all recruitment and selection activity. This demonstrates our ability to deliver assignments that meet specific client requirements, provide advice and guidance tailored to our client’s requirements and our level of experience and skill delivers success in senior management assignments across all sectors.
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