Our FTSE 250 client required an IT Director to drive through an overdue review and upgrade of internal systems. The role required the successful candidate to develop a strategy for putting in place a robust and scaleable systems architecture, build a team of motivated and business-focused IT professionals and provide a platform on which the business operations could not only deliver but could also measure the success of that delivery.

In addition to the programme of significant systems upgrade and change, the IT department had become detached from the business. It was generally perceived that the department was not in tune with its internal customers and did not have the necessary commercial focus. Therefore in addition to the technical and industry-specific experience required, it was also imperative that the successful candidate was able to bring IT back in line with the business by delivering commercially driven solutions.

In less than two months from instruction, the new IT Director was in post and making a positive impact on the business.

We managed this through:

• Carefully targeted research.
  
• Clarification of key criteria.
  
• A highly effective network of contacts.
  
• Co-ordination of an efficient interview process.
  
• Restricting shortlist to three high-quality candidates (all of whom the client would have been happy to hire).
  
• Establishing clear communication with both client and candidates to ensure a smooth process and that expectations were managed.

Search is the most targeted method of recruitment and in this particular situation was the right solution to deliver a time-critical and business-critical appointment.