Case study:Achates Recruits Package Summary

Achates Recruits

 Summary of Options for Recruitment Support       

Overview

We believe that in order to ensure a thriving and resilient cultural ecosystem it is vital that organisations of all sizes should have access to quality support. Over the last six years, Achates has established itself a sector disruptor bringing affordable high-quality support for the cultural sector in strategy and fundraising, to enable resilience with integrity.

We have already supported our clients in the recruitment of Trustees and increasingly senior staff members as well and  this has highlighted to us the need for an affordable disruptor model that values diversity and inclusion based on a fixed rate and not a percentage. We have piloted the model with clients including the Young Vic Theatre, for whom we supported the recruitment of the new Director of Development, and The Women’s Prize Trust for whom we supported the recruitment of Trustees.

We have now formalised this approach to bring our approach to senior level cultural sector recruitment of Board members, Artistic and Executive Directors and Departmental Heads in our new division, Achates Recruits.

In addition, we offer our current clients the opportunity to promote other job roles through our monthly mailings, on our website and on social media free of charge.

Achates is also known for its ethical approach and commitment to the democratisation and diversification of the sector and this will be reflected in our model with an emphasis on supporting organisations in inclusive recruitment that also creates a culture in which appointees can thrive.

The Models

Model  1 – Fully Supported Package

For organisations seeking guidance through to appointment to ensure a supported transition:

• 5 days – drafting of Application Pack, Job Description and Advert to specifications agreed by client and to Achates template, developing templates and questions for initial interviews with credible clients, generating and agreeing shortlist of credible clients
• 1 days – contacting identified candidates (6-8), promoting across networks
• 5 days – uploading to agreed paid promotion channels and management of responses
• 1 day – up to 6 interviews with recommended candidates, candidate profile completed and shared with client, identifying additional candidates (if required) based on first wave response
• 1 day – fielding enquiries from potential candidates and conducting 6-8 interviews with credible candidates
• 1 day – support shortlisting interviewees, drafting of first- and second-stage interview questions, booking interviews, follow up with interviewees regarding outcome
• 1 day – reviewing shortlisted candidates’ CVs/personal statements, conducting first-stage interviews and shortlisting to second stage
• 5 days to review and make recommendations regarding implementation and training support

Model 2 – Support to Interview Stage

For organisations who don’t require attendance at interview stage we offer a highly cost-effective approach:

• 5 day – supporting development of Application Pack, Job Description and Advert from draft by client, developing templates and questions for initial interviews with credible clients, generating and agreeing shortlist of credible clients
• 1 days – contacting identified candidates (6-8), promoting across networks and agreeing paid promotion channels
• 1 day – up to 6 interviews with recommended candidates, candidate profile completed and shared with client, identifying additional candidates (if required) based on first wave response
• 1 day – fielding enquiries from potential candidates and conducting 6-8 interviews with credible candidates
• 5 days – support shortlisting interviewees and drafting first-stage interview questions, feedback to unsuccessful applicants (if requested)

For further information on our Recruitment support please contact Matthew Swann: matthew@achates.org.uk