Recruitment of Major Projects Director – Research Institute

The Challenge

A world renowned Research Institute appointed Odgers Berndtson to help recruit a Major Projects Director to head up all capital and operational projects. The client wanted to introduce commonality into its programme management that would act as the foundation to all aspects of its operations. To do this it needed somebody who was capable of looking at the projects from a holistic life-cycle perspective. Due to the complex forms of contract used by the client it also required a highly technical candidate that could adapt to different forms of reporting structure requiring high levels of stakeholder management.

Odgers Berndtson was ideally placed to undertake this recruitment search due to its diverse sector networks and strong technical understanding of the Built Environment. Having access to manufacturing and technology based networks in addition to construction consultancies and contractors meant that Odgers Berndtson could combine this network to ensure that all avenues were explored.

The Approach

Odgers Berndtson worked with the client to identify and design a comprehensive brief that focused on specific skill sets in addition to experience requirements. A detailed skill matrix was created that allowed Odgers Berndtson to successfully conduct market research in sectors outside that of the client.

This European based research identified a number of individuals with applicable skill sets outside of the clients market. Because of the built environment and specifically construction sector knowledge of the Odgers Berndtson team it was possible to align these candidates with the brief and reassure them that role was a desirable option.

The Result

Through utilising the detailed candidate brief, Odgers Berndtson delivered a high calibre diverse shortlist. The successful appointee came from a pharmaceutical background, where he had been responsible for the creation of programme management protocols that covered the construction of new facilities, the product manufacturing process and the management of the facilities.

About Odgers Berndtson

Odgers Berndtson is the UK’s leading executive recruitment firm. It operates internationally across 51 offices, of which 8 are regionally distributed  throughout the UK.

Offices are located in London (West End & City), Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Cardiff. It comprises a broad range of dedicated practices offering specialist executive recruitment skills by sector and by job-function. The Construction & Property Practice provides a specialist service throughout the Built Environment working throughout the Built Environment Life-Cycle. This covers Architecture, Consulting Engineering, Project Management, Cost Consultancy, Contracting and End-User Estates and Facilities Management.

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