The Challenge
Domino Commercial Interiors required support in hiring an experienced Quantity Surveyor to support their many on-going projects through to completion.
With a broad service offering spanning office fit-outs through to mechanical and electrical services, the successful candidate needed to be capable of managing the full commercial lifecycle of projects, including:
- Surveying and pricing commercial interior fit-out works
- Planning, budgeting and forecasting refurbishment project costs
- Ensuring financial accuracy and alignment with budgetary objectives
- Managing contracts and negotiating terms with clients, subcontractors and suppliers
These are not straightforward appointments.
Experienced Quantity Surveyors are often quickly secured by Tier 1 contractors, have multiple opportunities available to them, or operate on high day rates that can significantly impact project margins.
The challenge was not attracting applicants – it was identifying and securing an individual with the right blend of technical capability, commercial awareness and professionalism.
EnquireWhy Traditional Recruitment Was Not Working
The position had already been advertised on job websites and another recruitment agency had worked the role without success.
Quantity Surveyors are an extremely passive candidate market and are frequently tied into existing assignments or engaged in multiple recruitment processes.
Finding an individual with strong budgeting and forecasting capability, a good understanding of NEC contracts, experience managing disputes and commercial issues, and the level of professionalism and personality required to represent the business in front of clients is never easy.
More often than not, candidates possess some of these attributes, but very rarely all of them.
The EMT Talent Approach
EMT Talent identified a Quantity Surveyor whose experience and personality aligned closely with the requirements of the role.
The challenge, however, was that the candidate was already progressing through interview processes with alternative employers.
Working closely with the Director of Domino Commercial Interiors, we ensured momentum was maintained throughout the recruitment process and avoided unnecessary delays that could have resulted in losing the candidate.
Through extensive conversations with the individual, we developed a detailed understanding of what motivated him professionally, the areas in which he wanted to be challenged, and the skills he was looking to develop further.
By aligning these aspirations with Domino's growth plans and project portfolio, both parties were able to have open and honest discussions which demonstrated that the opportunity could provide the platform needed to take his career to the next level.
The Outcome
The impact of the appointment was immediate.
On his very first day, the successful candidate was trusted to attend a client site independently and price a project.
That level of confidence is only possible when a business has complete belief in the calibre of the person they have hired. There was no requirement for months of hand-holding before adding value.
The individual has already demonstrated the potential to progress into a more senior position and is expected to become an integral part of the business as it continues to grow.
Final Impact
This project demonstrates EMT Talent's ability to secure highly skilled professionals within technical contract environments where commercial depth, contract knowledge and financial acumen are critical to long-term success.
If you're hiring...
If you're hiring for Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or Project related positions where technical capability and cultural fit are equally important, we'd be happy to discuss your requirements.
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