CLIENT: Fortune 500 Retailer

EXECUTIVES: Executive Leadership Team

BUSINESS UNIT: Human Resources

Recruiting Challenge: A senior position was added to the Learning & Development department

The Situation

Rice Cohen International was retained by a global, multi-billion-dollar high-end retailer. Our client made a strategic decision to add an executive to their Learning and Organizational Development team. Some conflict existed internally as the EVP of Human Resources and Global Head of Talent had a different vision for the ideal candidate from the executive team and members of the board of directors. The client had already spent months looking for someone on their own before deciding to partner with us on the search.

Solution Implemented

Our initial goal was to present the client with candidates that matched each separate profile (academics to appease the Board of Directors and traditional Learning and Talent leaders for Human Resources). In addition, based on the fact that there were two different profiles, we decided to also present a few people with a strong consulting background. To attract the right candidates we identified the top talent and learning leaders from direct competitors and top local companies, and additionally identified the top Management Programs where we could potentially find an academic.

The Search Results

From our research we were able to find a candidate that had global experience, was a great fit with the brand, had traditional learning and talent experience, consulting experience and was an Adjunct Professor of Leadership at an Ivy League University. The client did not think they would be able to agree on a candidate so finding someone that matched both of their criteria was a win for everyone.