NHS Acute Trust

Tight timeframes can be tricky!

Even if we have the right candidate contacts, the logistics of turning the interview process, compliance and offer around quickly requires perseverance.

In this example, we had two mid level roles to fill – and just five days to do it.

The brief, from a London NHS Acute Trust who we’ve worked with before, was for two Interim Procurement Consultants. Their role would be to cover clinical and non-clinical projects for the Trust.

Understanding the brief

Key to the success of any project, and especially one with limited time, is a full and comprehensive understanding of the brief. Once we’d spoken at length with the hiring manager, we were equipped with all the knowledge needed to get to work.
The next step was to delve into our network of NHS Procurement specialists, all of whom we’ve met and referenced, many who we’d worked with on previous contracts. We reached out to those most suited to the roles to assess their appetite and interest, check their circumstances and availability, as well as catch up on what they’d been up to since our last conversation.

Ok, sounds easy so far? But, this is a crucial part of the job that has to be done well. And, it’s time consuming. A lot of work goes into the logistics – booking calls, interviews and meetings into busy schedules, finding more candidates if the initial shortlist are not interested or available. Five days is a challenging timeframe!

Shortlist success

After a couple of days of hard work utilising our network and sourcing from other channels, such as job boards and social media, we were able to present a formal shortlist of eight great candidates, four for each role. They had a mix of experience, all included some time with the NHS, some with experience in the private sector.

The Trust took all eight to interview and offered their preferred two – who accepted. Compliance checks and references were taken, contracts were signed, equipment ordered and payroll set up – completing the onboarding of both roles. All within the five days.

Here’s what the process looked like:

• Initial briefing with the client
• Network search, followed by external channels
• Boston Hale first meetings to assess technical skills, experience and personality fit
• Compliance and reference checks started
• Shortlist submission
• Interviews scheduled and conducted
• Feedback gathered, candidates kept informed
• Offer management
• Onboarding and first day
• Continued performance, payroll and contract support

Results:

This was a challenging timescale to deliver two roles, but we were able to leverage our network and deliver. We matched superb interims with interesting and challenging roles within the NHS procurement, on projects lasting at least six months.
The Trust was delighted with the process and the outcome, retained the consultants for the duration of the project and continues to work closely with our Procurement and Supply Chain team on interim and permanent roles.

Boston Hale stepped in to help when we needed high-quality interims urgently. The Recruitment Consultant was very proactive. I got a response straight away, and he sent me very good candidates extremely quickly. The interims were exactly the right fit with the experience necessary to just pick up and get on with the work. In fact, the new teams’ ability to turn things around won us internal recognition from the Trust’s leadership team.

Interim Head of Procurement, London NHS Acute Trust

To find out more about how our Procurement and Supply Chain practice can help build your NHS, public or private sector procurement team, get in touch with Marie O'Driscoll.

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