Finding an experienced Director to lead a Global Account

LOCATION: Global

TYPE: Permanent | Leadership

THE COMPANY:

CBRE is the world’s leading provider of real estate services with revenues exceeding $20bn. Its award-winning Global Workplace Solutions division provides the full range of real estate outsourcing services on an account basis to major corporations.

CBRE GWS uses integrated solutions, data intelligence and continuous innovation to deliver cost efficiencies, mitigated risk and tangible value across its clients’ portfolios.

CBRE GWS is also highly socially responsible, seeing an emphasis on diversity and inclusion as a key business strategy for success.

THE CHALLENGE:

CBRE GWS was in the process of transforming from a regionally oriented firm to a global organisation and was looking to add to its already strong team of professionals.

Aylin White had already been working with CBRE GWS for over a year across their Dedicated Accounts, helping their team to secure senior Facilities and Project experts around Europe. Following this successful period of collaboration, we were asked to advise CBRE GWS on hiring a Global Alliance Director to join its Global Leadership team.

The global account was considered to be extremely promising but needed a fresh approach to realise its potential, so CBRE GWS wanted their new Global Alliance Director to be a highly skilled and experienced Client Account Relationship Manager. Although the global account was to be led from Europe, CBRE GWS wanted to hire the best available candidate regardless of location.

Additionally, as well as ensuring the new Global Alliance Director was hired on merit, CBRE GWS wanted to ensure that their strong belief in the advantages of a diverse workforce were reflected in Aylin White’s methodology and findings.

THE ROLE:

CBRE GWS wanted to hire a Global Alliance Director who was a highly skilled and experienced Client Relationship manager.

THE SERVICE:

CBRE GWS’ highly competent internal recruitment team was keen to collaborate with Aylin White during this transitional moment for the company, in order to ensure that a period of focussed research delivered the right candidate in good time.

We began by leading the discovery process and internally agreeing a plan for a structured search. Then, using our extensive reach and network, we were able to build a target group of candidates who had the necessary skills, experience, and gravitas for the role.

Once we had assembled our target group, we approached and interviewed our professionals over the following weeks and built a compelling shortlist of highly skilled and experienced senior professionals.

When we presented the shortlist to CBRE GWS, all of the professionals on the list were asked to attend an interview with the leadership team.

THE RESULT:

We worked with CBRE GWS’ leadership team to create a fair and transparent interview process, ultimately allowing a leading candidate to be identified.

The candidate had an excellent knowledge of providing real estate solutions to established and high-growth client accounts and an enviable track record of working successfully with clients in an integrated environment.

Since being hired, the candidate has proven to be a superb fit at the company and all stakeholders have been extremely satisfied with the results of the hire.