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How to hire: A Business Development Manager

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Hiring a Business Development Manager

Read a recent search project below with Tom Lambourne – Associate Director of UK Estate Agency, Property Management & Mortgages.

Our partner is a London-based private creator, owner & operator of bespoke high-end residential properties available for sale and rent in London, Mauritius, and France.

The business has gained a formidable reputation over the past decades for delivering exceptional design and uncompromising quality. Their residential properties are luxurious and sophisticated and created with remarkable attention to detail.

Recruitment Project team

After hearing about a recent search project of deverellsmith’s, the operator approached Tom Lambourne, and he began a retained search to find them their ideal candidate.

Tom has over 14 years of experience working in Estate Agency recruitment and is now an Associate Director at deverellsmith, heading up the UK Estate Agency, Property Management & Mortgages team. Managing all mid-senior level hires across Prime Central London & the UK, he has a vast knowledge of “what good looks like” in the market.

Recruitment project breakdown

In light of the ever-growing demand for exclusive properties, our partner was looking to hire a seasoned Business Development Manager. The primary criterion for this role was the possession of a black book of high-calibre contacts, ensuring the ability to attract discerning individuals from around the world to the exclusive properties offered by the operator.

The recruitment process posed a challenge, due to the requirement that the candidate needed to be fluent in French as well as owning an impressive network to bring to the table. This dual requirement compelled the team to adopt a creative approach to their search.

The recruitment project solution

deverellsmith’s expansive database: Tom leveraged the extensive database of deverellsmith, utilising the network of property professionals cultivated over the past 17 years, which was used to map the market and identify every French-speaking estate agent operating in London and surrounding areas. He approached each of the mapped contacts who were then presented with the career proposition. After thorough conversations with each professional, Tom curated a high-calibre shortlist, which was taken to the business.

Strategic exploration of diverse markets: After identifying 15 top candidates, Tom showcased the top 3, including an individual from the events industry. Despite not working within the property industry, the candidate possessed an invaluable black book of contacts that aligned perfectly with the company’s specific requirements, which Tommy could recognise. This was ultimately the candidate who was hired for the role.

Results

100% shortlist to interview rate.

Secured candidate within the agreed budget.

Vacancy filled in agreed timescales - 25 days.

After the success of the search, the operator is looking to expand their team further and has retained Tommy again to support their search.  ​

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