Role: Business Development Manager

Background

The client is a London-based private estate 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.

After hearing about a recent search project of deverellsmith's, the operator approached the firm and were instructed on a retained search to find them their ideal candidate.

Solution

In light of the ever-growing demand for exclusive properties, the client 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.

• deverellsmith's expansive database: Utilising the network of property professionals cultivated over the past 17 years, which was used to map the market and identify many French-speaking estate agent operating in London and surrounding areas. The search team approached each of the mapped contacts who were then presented with the carrier proposition. After thorough conversations with each professional, the search team curated a high-calibre shortlist, which was taken to the business.

• Strategic exploration of diverse markets: After identifying 15 top candidates, the search team approached the top 4, including one individual from the luxury property industry. Despite not working within the property industry, the candidate possessed an invaluable black book of contacts that aligned perfectly with the client's specific requirements, which the search team 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 deverellsmith to support their search.