The Perfect Fit

Proud of 21 Years of Recruiting Succes

July is my Anniversary month!  I can’t believe it’s been over 21 years since I started my recruiting business!  Looking back, I’ve had (and am having) lots of fun while feeling professionally fulfilled, in helping businesses identify, recruit and hire professionals to maintain or expand their businesses.  Similarly, I’m proud of how many advertising, marketing and media professionals I’ve helped identify and take the next step on their career journey, ultimately helping them move closer to reaching their career goals.  It’s very rewarding work! 
 
In reminiscing, I start to think about quantifying those 21+ years, the numbers are amazing . . . almost unbelievable!  I’ve probably interviewed over 8,500 people and completed over 260 searches for over 85 Clients from all over North America. I have over 9,700 in our database and as of this morning, over 7100 LinkedIn connections.  Those contacts provide an excellent base of referrals for top marketing and media pros.
 
The recruiting and hiring process continually evolves.  It changed radically, almost overnight as a result of Covid stoking “The Great Resignation”.  Professionals found themselves with ample opportunity (time) to think about what they were doing with their professional career and life.  Many were dissatisfied with their conclusions when they realized they weren’t happy or being professionally satisfied.  They didn’t like where they were working or their boss or their compensation and many decided they’d rather being doing something of real human value and taking care of themselves, rather than just selling some consumer a product! 
 
Employers had to change too.  They could no longer take their employees for granted or be disrespectful or dismissive of them.  Employers started listening to their employees and being more appreciative, respectful, fair and flexible, out of necessity.  Remote workers are more productive than anyone imagined and so the more “flexible”, even hybrid office attendance became (or is becoming) the new normal.
 
The most successful employees are well known by their peers and competitors.  Employers are no longer able to simply “post and pray”.  Job boards, are infrequently effective and rarely efficient or expeditious.  The resulting focus on talent acquisition has resulted in far superior, more inclusive, satisfying and fun work environments.  Company cultures have had to become more ‘attractive’ to current (and prospective) employees.

Why Partner With an Executive Search Firm?

The work of executive search firms can at times be confused with the services of contingent recruiting agencies. However, there are key, significant differences.

Have you ever been tasked with discovering the perfect candidate for an executive-level position? If so, you're aware the process of finding a candidate to fill senior-level roles is much more rigorous, time-consuming, and research-heavy than hiring an entry-level or middle management position.  The process has become even more difficult post-Covid.

When recruiting intermediate personnel, you’ll typically post on a job board or two,  run the resumes through an algorithm, and review the remaining applicants for the best possible candidates. The process can range from days to weeks. However, when it comes to an organization’s most senior-level roles – from executive leadership or the C-Suite – different strategies are necessary to find the right candidate who can lead an organization.

An executive search firm is a company that specializes in placing highly qualified candidates in executive-level positions across the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Executive search consultants seek to understand a specific executive position, define the core competencies necessary for a successful hire, and target several candidates that fit a distinct profile. Such positions include President, Vice President, CEO, CFO, COO, department heads, and more. 

The work of executive search firms can at times be confused with the services of contingent recruiting agencies. However, there are key differences in scope, methodology, process, and more, which differentiate these into two entirely different professions. In short, retained executive search firms partner with organizations to provide expertise in their industry or service, ultimately leading to the hire of a successful candidate.  

RETAINED EXECUTIVE SEARCH VS CONTINGENT RECRUITING

Unfortunately, executive search consulting and contingent recruiting are often thought of interchangeably, but are completely different professions.

RETAINED EXECUTIVE SEARCH

DEFINITION

Executive search firms are specialized management consultants retained by clients in an advisory capacity. Executive search firms partner with a client to identify, assess and select the very best possible candidate.

BUSINESS MODEL

Executive search firms operate on an exclusive, client-centered basis and work on a limited number of assignments at one time. They are engaged in all aspects of the process, from defining the search through candidate integration. They often find candidates with diverse backgrounds and have access to candidates who are not actively seeking a new position.
They charge a consulting fee (retainer) for the assignment, consistent with their in-depth advisory work. Executive search firms deliver high-quality services beyond placement, a slate of highly qualified candidates, and develop long-term relationships built on trust.

St. Louis Hybrid Search: Senior Digital Strategist #22042

Are you ready to put your initial years of strategic success to work for a well known St. Louis agency, with more senior level responsibility and opportunity?  Our client has a history of growth, stability and supporting their team with respect and support for both professional and personal growth.  They understand the realities of the modern workplace and always prioritize adding value their employees.

Overview:
As a Digital Strategist, you’ll provide day-to-day strategy for specific and/or multiple pieces of client and internal business. You’ll work with a multidisciplinary internal team to develop innovative, timely and culturally relevant strategy that inspires breakthrough and effective creative work. You’ll have a proven track record of working collaboratively with creative teams and clients. You’re highly self-motivated by a variety of problems that require analysis, insights and solutions to resolve. In addition, you are an exceptional communicator and storyteller, with an analytic mind and a passion for research and insight driven strategies.
 
Our St. Louis client is known for an unusual combination of marketing savvy, creative strategy and technical expertise that produces compelling ROI for their clients. They’re equally known for a few things they also consider sacrosanct – and perhaps even more foundational to their success:
 
Striving to be the premier agency that brings success to challenger brands and challenging client sales cycles.
Creating an internal culture of respect, loyalty, collaboration and support for both professional and personal growth, stability and happiness.

Principle Responsibilities:
• Provide digital thought leadership to both clients and colleagues.
• Own the execution, strategy and vision for all funnels and customer journeys across digital channels to driving sales and growth on all products, platforms and services.
• Analyze campaign results and recommend adjustments in strategy to meet goals.

New Search for Manager of Social Media and Strategic Alliances

Manager of Social Media and Strategic Alliances
Location: Greater St. Louis
 
Overview:
Would you rather be using your social media expertise to sell products or in support of your fellow Americans’ well-being and quality of life?  The Manager of Social Media and Strategic Alliances is responsible for designing and executing our client’s social media and strategic alliances communications efforts.  This includes creating compelling content that supports business growth and fosters strategic communication objectives to, ensure high brand awareness and, educate the qualified and drive referrals of the company’s services to targeted audiences with disabilities, nationwide.   In addition, this role is primary liaison for strategizing the collaboration of disability groups at local, regional and national levels.  You’ll help improve the lives of Americans with disabilities.  This is a hybrid opportunity.

This integrated communications position requires development and execution of high-quality content adapted and distributed across social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn, as well as broader public relations channels. Includes managing customer reviews, blogs, e-communication (direct messages, live chat, customer posts), news summaries and web-based events. In addition, the position is responsible for creating and managing editorial calendars and social media communities; identifying and managing opportunities to engage consumers and affiliate and referral partners (i.e., disability groups), such as sponsorships, webinars, digital and social media events; and supporting efforts to grow the consumer business through organic and owned digital media. Works closely with digital marketing and agency teams to ensure content and messaging is integrated across all channels, and with human resources to support employee engagem

Experience:
Must have a degree and at least three years’ social media communications experience. Must possess solid analysis/optimization tools skills, SEO and experience with Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn, as well as other PR channels.  Prior experience in healthcare, insurance, or disability sectors is helpful.

A Guide to Making a Living Doing Something You Love

People shouldn’t have to choose between doing something that allows them to make a living and doing something they can feel excited about, that engages their interests. Of course, every line of work is going to have its ups and downs, but if you feel like you’ve been having nothing but downs lately, and as though your career is cutting you off from chasing your dreams, maybe it’s time for a change.

Today, The Marketing Recruiter offers some ideas for individuals who are feeling burnt out or unfulfilled at work, or simply looking for an exciting career option that aligns with their passions.

Have a clear sense of what you want out of your work.

If you’re going to make a career change or invest in training for a new line of work, you need to be fully committed to it. You can’t just be attracted to the work because you feel like it might be easy, glamorous, or lucrative. You can’t be thinking like an escapist or basing your ideas on fictionalized versions of careers that you’ve seen in the movies or television. Rather, you should have concrete knowledge about what is entailed in the career you have in mind. And you need to be realistic about your own gifts, aptitudes, skills, and interests.

Find out what you’ll need to do to get into this new field or industry.

You may already have the qualifications you need to make a change. Or you may need a little extra training, or simply to brush up on things you learned about years ago. On the other hand, some career leaps may require quite a bit of new education or preparation. If you need to take a lot of classes, or even go back to school for a new degree, make sure this is something that is practicable and affordable. You may be able to do online classes that won’t interfere with your existing work schedule or family obligations.

Don’t forget to look into licensing.

New Retained Search: Remote Senior Key Account Executive #21105

It's great to see St. Louis agencies expanding, through all of the Covid-based turmoil!  I'm excited to help my new Client continue their accelerating growth and capabilities!

About Our Client:
Our Client, who's located in Clayton, MO is a branding based, human business consultancy that helps organizations design integral solutions to crises of change. Using strategic foresight, creative communications, technology, human-centered design and organization strategy, they help leaders traverse the unknown, to create greater alignment, communication, systems, engagement and success. Our Client’s growing team provides comprehensive and sustainable solutions, guiding their clients to embrace marcom driven, technology-enabled strategies to improve their business.

Position Overview:
As a result of growth, our Client is looking for an Sr. Key Account Executive to be the glue that helps keep projects and people together. As the principal liaison between Clients and cross-functional internal teams, you’ll serve as the primary contact with Clients while managing strategy, ensuring project performance and most importantly, creating trusted relationships with Client stakeholders.

We need curious, non-traditional thinkers who are proactive, empathetic and detail-oriented project managers. Key day-to-day agency liaison responsible for supporting the development of creative solutions to meet established client objectives. Responsible for managing multiple projects across a variety of strategies and client contacts, to ensure all deadlines are met and quality solutions delivered. Digital experience related to websites, apps, content, social media, creative sales materials and/or advertising are all desired. There is an opportunity to prove you can handle increasing degrees of responsibility, providing long term career growth.

This is an opportunity to work remotely.

New Retained Search: Director of Account Services #21103

I'm very excited to have been trusted by my new St. Louis Client, to help them identify recruit and hire account management leaders.  We are ready to hire right now!  If you have a friend or colleague who you believe might be interested to hear more about this uncommon career opportunity, please have them get in touch.  I handle all inquiries with discretion and confidentiality.

About Our Client:
Our Client is a branding based, human business consultancy that helps organizations design integral solutions to crises of change. Using strategic foresight, creative communications, technology, human-centered design and organization strategy, they help leaders traverse the unknown, to create greater alignment, communication, systems, engagement and success. Our Client’s growing team provides comprehensive and sustainable solutions, guiding their clients to embrace marcom driven, technology-enabled strategies to improve their business.
They wonder, if their Clients’ culture is working, are they building leaders for the future?  Seeing the possibility of the future can (should?) drive the goals and aspirations . . . the futurist piece gives our Client an unusual and a very cool foundation for talking to their Clients about how they see their business.  The approach is different, it’s powerful and it’s effective!

This is an opportunity to work remotely.

How Our Client Describes Their Need:
Have you ever wanted to have the opportunity shape an organization or brand strategy from start to finish?  Are you someone whose ideas are very innovative, but weren’t taken seriously enough previously?  You’ll have autonomy, a chance to work with people who take the time to understand what’s strategically smart about what you have to say.

We’re after someone who has a deep set of knowledge and experiences. How can you help shape the Client experience?  We want curiosity about the work.  It’s about true collaboration fostering a deeper understanding.  We do our best work when we collaborate and have an appreciation for everyone’s ideas.  We need someone who’s an experienced business practice leader.  Someone who has a vision for how we manage client services, what works and what doesn’t. 

We need someone who’s a strategic thinker.  Someone who can establish our business practice of Client Management and Development.  This person will be leading the Client Service team. We want a people person, a developer of people.

Now Hiring, Media Planner . . . A Remote Opportunity!

The Media Planner is critically important and requires a blend of analytical and intuitive skills, marketing and consumer research experience, thoughtfulness and effective communication skills. Our Media Planner participates in the development and management of effective cross-channel media plans with inputs from Client and Account Service Leadership, as well as the Strategy and Creative teams. There’s an exceptional opportunity to be very client facing . . . there’s also an associate media planner direct report. You’ll really be running the show for one national (Retail) and one regional (Financial Services) Client. It’s an “ownable” experience. There’s significant opportunity for professional growth and earning additional responsibility. This is truly a “career opportunity” and remote workers are eligible (and encouraged)!
Principal Responsibilities:
• Collaborate with other media planners, creatives and key team members to develop content and platform strategies and align efforts with a constantly evolving set of business objectives
• Support the team in the content creation and planning process, providing insight and key learnings pulled from analytics and market knowledge as well as from additional research and collaboration with internal teams.
• Assist in compiling media data for clients analyzing performance based on a tailored set of KPIs and indicate how results should impact future decisions.
• Research brand category trends, competitive landscape happenings and consumer behaviors relevant to our clients. Identify new audiences, channels and engagement opportunities for our brands.

• Maintain a system for organizing accurate media flowcharts, budget and billing details as well as other partner and vendor information.

Corporate HR is Uncomfortable with Modern (Digital) Marketing Recruiting!

Three of our most recent Clients have all said to me, “Our HR recruiters don’t know what to look for with digital media candidates”! That’s not at all surprising, considering how overworked most HR folks are and considering how much digital media changes . . . often weekly! Hiring for digital media professionals is not easy. Companies of every size, all over the US are moving their marketing and media buying in-house. Many are creating or seriously upgrading their internal marketing capabilities and capacity. Most are at the least, trying to get some digital media expertise in-house.

Even marketing/advertising agencies struggle to recruit sufficient marketing and media professionals, to meet their clients’ needs.

There is rapidly increasing demand for digital expertise. Those experienced marketers who have expertise with digital media strategies and tactics, earn great incomes. They know they’re in demand, so if they’re not happy where they are, it’s not difficult to move to a better employer . . . especially with remote workers being more acceptable. Most expert and experienced digital marketers are very happy with their current employers. Posting a job and “praying” for an adequate response, is the norm, and it’s a doomed strategy, especially if there’s any urgency to the hire.

One solution is to hire a recruiter with digital marketing/media understanding, experience and consistent success. Today, digital strategy affects every word (literally) of online communications, from Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to paid media advertising or PPC.

With over 20 years of experience and expertise in digital media, Bishop Partners is extremely well positioned to help. We understand the terminology of the strategies and tactics, we can identify the experts from the ‘wannabes’. Most importantly, we can recruit those personalities with the vision, values and career goals that combine with the employer, to create that “Perfect Fit”.

Sr. Digital Media Analyst #21083, Priority Search!

General Overview:
The Senior Media Analyst for our Texas “Agency of the Year” Client, will execute online marketing campaign strategy and work with a team of experienced digital marketing experts to create, analyze and optimize strategies. Your clients are results and data driven   and you’ll identify, track and communicate key performance indicators and success metrics to their teams. You will regularly identify and lead implement opportunities for optimization, including but not limited to advertising creative and landing page optimization, bid management, and budget allocation.

Please note that, at this time and for this position, we cannot accommodate current or future sponsorship needs for US work authorization. Working remotely is an option for this role. Our Client is providing relocation expense assistance. This can be an opportunity for remote workers.

About Our Client:
Our Client has been named “Agency of the Year”, they deliver consistent, managed growth for their iconic CPG national brand clients. You will be challenged and supported while working with caring colleagues and loyal clients who have been with the agency for decades. The retention of their employees and the loyalty of their clients is unsurpassed in this business!

There’s an effort to maintain a comfortable and supportive, yet high performance environment, built on a foundation of management’s respect for the team. They understand and respect their employee’s desire to continue to grow both professionally and personally. The creatively driven agency has been named “Agency of The Year” among its many awards . . . It’s easy to understand why.