Case Study: Successfully filling a hard-to-fill role – Director of Communications in the Public Sector

At Morgan Philips Specialist Recruitment, we thrive on tackling difficult assignments. Recently, we were tasked with filling a Director of Communications position for a mid-sized public sector organisation in London. Here’s how we made it happen.

The Challenge

Our client, a public sector organisation in London, faced a significant challenge. They needed to fill a Director of Communications role that had been vacant for three months. The requirements were demanding:

• Role: Director of Communications
• Skills Needed: Strong verbal and written stakeholder skills, previous team management experience, and a proven track record in large, complex organisations
• Urgency: The vacancy was critical due to a sudden departure, and time was of the essence

Despite their best efforts, the organisation struggled to find a suitable candidate within the required timeframe.

Our Approach

Filling this hard-to-fill role required a strategic and hands-on approach. Here’s what we did:

1. In-Depth Meetings: We conducted thorough meetings with key stakeholders to understand the organisation’s needs, culture, and specific job requirements.
2. Targeted Strategy: We leveraged our extensive network, focusing on associated networks to identify potential candidates.
3. Database and Social Media Tools: We utilised our robust database and social media tools to source both active and passive job seekers.
4. Team Interviews: We organised interviews with all shortlisted candidates, providing detailed CVs and interview notes to ensure a smooth selection process.

The Outcome

Our dedicated efforts paid off. We filled the Director of Communications position within just one month. The successful candidate brought:

• Experience: Over 8 years of relevant experience, strong stakeholder management skills, and a deep understanding of the public sector
• Cultural Fit: An excellent match with the organisation’s culture and job requirements
• Onboarding Support: We stayed involved, helping with the onboarding process and maintaining contact with the candidate to ensure a smooth transition

Conclusion

At Morgan Philips Specialist Recruitment, we’re committed to helping our clients overcome their recruitment challenges by finding the right talent for their needs. Our success in filling the Director of Communications role in the public sector is just one example of our dedication and expertise.

Facing similar challenges in finding the right talent for hard-to-fill roles? We’re here to help. Let’s chat about how we can support your business.