Division: Human Resources
Role/Assignment: HR Advisor – 9-month FTC – Higher Education FTC
The Challenge
A Higher Education client approached Bond Williams to recruit an HR Advisor on a nine-month fixed-term contract.
Several factors made the position particularly challenging. The fixed-term nature of the opportunity reduced the available candidate pool, while the role itself combined responsibilities normally associated with both HR Advisor and HR Administrator positions.
The successful candidate also needed sufficient experience and confidence to manage employee relations cases independently.
Further challenges included a salary slightly below market expectations for the required skill set, a location that restricted the available candidate pool and the need for someone who could integrate quickly with minimal supervision.
Our Approach
We developed a targeted recruitment strategy focused on candidates who would be motivated by the opportunity itself rather than solely by salary or contract length.
Our HR team:
- Mapped the relevant candidate market
- Proactively approached candidates with HR and employee relations experience
- Promoted the wider benefits of working within Higher Education
- Assessed candidates’ ability to manage employee relations independently
- Considered operational HR and administration capability alongside advisory experience
- Provided regular market feedback to the client throughout the search
This enabled us to engage candidates who may not otherwise have considered a fixed-term opportunity.
The Outcome
Bond Williams successfully secured a candidate who met the client’s requirements.
The successful individual brought the combination of HR advisory, employee relations and operational HR experience required to make an immediate contribution to the team.
Key Results
✔ Difficult nine-month FTC successfully filled
✔ HR Advisory and Administration experience secured
✔ Independent employee relations capability identified
✔ Passive candidates targeted as part of the search
✔ Ongoing candidate-market insight provided throughout the process
