University of Edinburgh Business School

Finding a Head of Partnership Development

University of Edinburgh Business School Finding a Head of Partnership Development

ObjectiveThe University of Edinburgh Business School has been ranked 16th in the UK and second in Scotland, according to the Power Index, which measures the quality and breadth of research in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) assessment. The School has increased the percentage of its ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ research activity from 50% to 77%. In order to continue on this path and broaden its engagement with stakeholders, the School has created a new role of Head of Partnership Development.

IdeaThe School has already tried to recruit for this position, but concluded that the salary on offer at the time was not attracting individuals of sufficient calibre. Accordingly, the salary was revised upwards, and a parallel recruitment strategy was introduced, that of advertising on their own website and at the same time engaging TMP to actively source individuals. The challenge for TMP was to find prospects, both active and passive, who were not only experienced partnership and people managers, but who also had an interest in, and were perhaps already working in, higher education.

Once the candidates had been found, using a number of different sources, those who expressed an interest were engaged and telephone interviewed about aspects essential to the School, such as evidence of strategic and creative thinking, managing partnerships at a high level and substantial experience of people management.

ImpactSix candidates (two sourced by TMP and four direct applicants) were interviewed. An offer was made to one of the TMP candidates and she duly accepted and is now in post.

Compared with using executive search and/or traditional advertising, TMP’s approach has been very cost effective and time efficient, justifying the School’s decision to try a direct sourcing approach.

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