A prominent university based in Chicago, in the midst of developing degreed programs in Southern California, found itself in need of a Vice President of Administration to lead the department. Unfortunately, finding the most qualified talent in such a competitive environment was no small feat.

The university’s limited brand presence in the region rendered traditional advertising methods ineffective in attracting experienced candidates from Southern California. Additionally, their inexperience in the local market provided little competitive intelligence. With significant time constraints at play, relying solely on “Internal” human resource recruiting efforts risked further prolonging the hiring process. Traditionally, for a role of this caliber, a university would engage an executive search firm for assistance. However, faced with tight timelines, the university was reluctant to use traditional executive recruiting agencies, concerned about accountability and their ability to deliver expected results within the required timeframe.

The Strategy

As a result, the University President was referred to Duffy Group, known for its non-traditional, transparent and unique business model. Duffy Recruitment Research™ seeks candidates using multiple executive recruiting techniques, providing detailed recruiting reports and proven results.

Duffy Group’s executive recruiters strategized with the client to quickly implement an innovative and multifaceted approach. They used a range of recruiting tools, tapped into their higher education networks, conducted meticulous research on regional targets and employed effective sourcing techniques.

Duffy Group’s recruiting expertise was particularly valuable in reaching passive candidates in both the Chicago and Southern California regions — individuals who are typically difficult to attract through traditional recruiting methods.

The Duffy Difference

Duffy Group’s expert recruiting team devised a strategic approach for the opportunity. Within 10 business days into the search, they had already attracted qualified and highly interested candidates, thereby increasing the client’s ROI. Duffy Group efficiently narrowed down the field, personally interviewing 50 individuals within the targeted region who possessed the desired experience.

This prompt action led to the swift selection of a candidate, ultimately reducing costs and increasing their bottom line.

Throughout the process, Duffy Group provided the client with useful market data, which proved crucial during salary negotiations. This partnership offered a highly strategic and personalized method, addressing the business need effectively. The outcomes of this collaboration were positively correlated with the investment in terms of both time and cost.