The Company
Our client provides essential water and wastewater services, supporting communities while championing sustainability and environmental stewardship. Operating primarily through its subsidiaries, the company also ventures into non-regulated areas, offering technical and consultancy services in water management and environmental projects. Through innovative partnerships, such as a joint venture for water retail services, they prioritise collaboration to address environmental challenges and deliver value across sectors.
The challenge
Our client faced significant challenges in finding candidates with the right balance of technical expertise and project management skills. While their roles required highly specialised capabilities, they also provided a list of clients—other water companies—whom we were unable to approach for candidates.
The solution
To address this, they contacted Utility People and Justin was tasked to find the right candidate. He tapped into his extensive network within the water and wastewater sector, specifically targeting professionals from water companies not included on the client’s list. Recognising the need for highly skilled individuals, he also prioritised candidates with chartered qualifications.
Initially, he found two candidates, but they lacked the ideal mix of technical and project management skills. This provided an opportunity to refine the search further. By adapting his strategy and expanding the scope, he connected with over 500 professionals over the course of three months, speaking with a vast number of potential candidates to identify the right fit. Eventually, he found the ideal candidate, someone who struck the perfect balance between technical expertise and project management experience.
The result
The candidate was invited to interview and quickly stood out as the top choice. He progressed to the final stage, where he was offered the role. At the same time, the candidate received a competing offer from another water company.
Justin worked closely with both the client and the candidate to manage expectations, ensuring a fair and mutually satisfying outcome. This included negotiating an improved salary offer that met the candidate’s expectations while aligning with the client’s requirements. Once the candidate accepted the role, he supported him in withdrawing from the competing process and stayed in close contact to ensure a smooth transition leading up to his start date.
Conclusion
This case study demonstrates the value of persistence, adaptability, and strong relationship management in delivering exceptional results. By leveraging his network, industry knowledge and network, Justin was able to identify and secure a highly skilled candidate who met the client’s unique needs, overcoming significant recruitment challenges in a competitive market.
