Contract & Interim Case Study | Appointing an Interim HR Transformation Director for an SME Organisation
Role: HR Transformation Director
Industry: Professional Services
Location: Ireland
Discovery
Our client was undertaking a large-scale HR and workforce planning transformation as part of a wider organisational restructure. The business required an experienced HR transformation leader to drive change, maintain alignment with commercial objectives and manage complex stakeholder expectations.
Given the urgency of the programme, the role needed to be filled on a day-rate contract basis, with flexibility to extend beyond the initial term. Identifying a leader with the right blend of transformation experience, availability and cultural fit was critical to maintaining project momentum.
Reach
We leveraged our senior HR consultant network alongside targeted headhunting to identify interim professionals with proven experience delivering large-scale HR transformation and workforce planning programmes. Market insights on availability, contract structuring and day-rate expectations were used to position the role competitively and attract high-calibre candidates.
This approach enabled rapid access to experienced transformation consultants operating in the interim market.
Assessment
Candidates were assessed for depth of experience in HR transformation, workforce planning and change management, alongside their ability to operate effectively in complex stakeholder environments. Priority was given to professionals with immediate availability to meet the client’s tight timelines.
HRM supported structured candidate introductions, detailed role briefings and contract negotiation to ensure clarity and a smooth onboarding process.
Impact
A specialist HR transformation consultant was successfully placed within 72 hours. The consultant brought immediate expertise in large-scale change delivery, enabling the organisation to maintain momentum and progress its transformation programme without disruption.
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Get In Touch
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Senior Engineering Project Manager
Industry: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Location: Ireland
The Challenge
With a series of business-critical projects approved, the client needed immediate on-site expertise to manage their delivery. Internal resources were unavailable, and the geographical constraints made accessing the right talent particularly challenging.
Our Approach
Following a detailed briefing, we aligned with the client’s technical and cultural requirements. We activated our contractor network to identify consultants with the right engineering background and stakeholder engagement experience, prioritising those available for on-site work.
The Outcome
Within 24 hours, we delivered a shortlist of three qualified professionals. After an initial online screening and a brief on-site visit, the successful candidate was appointed and began work within days.
Site Automation Project Team
Industry Biologics Manufacturing
Location: Ireland
The Challenge
As the client built a new manufacturing facility, they required a specialist automation team to lead the design and integration of their DCS platform. This was a critical early-stage hire, made more complex by the ongoing recruitment of a permanent team and the brand’s relatively low market presence in Ireland.
Our Approach
With the skillset in high demand, we engaged our research function to pinpoint consultants with relevant DCS expertise, located near the project site. Our tailored outreach strategy helped position the opportunity as a compelling career project, sparking interest in a niche and passive talent pool.
The Outcome
We submitted four highly qualified consultants within five days. All four were engaged by the client and have since played a pivotal role in system integration and operational readiness during site start-up.
Supply Chain Consultant
Industry: Food Manufacturing
Location: Ireland
The Challenge
With their supply chain leader approaching retirement, the client wanted to bring in a contractor during the transition period. This allowed them to maintain performance, reassess the role, and ultimately make a better-informed permanent hire.
Our Approach
We delivered a qualified supply chain consultant just hours after the initial client briefing, ensuring immediate continuity for the function.
The Outcome
The interim consultant exceeded expectations and was ultimately offered the permanent role. They remain with the company today in a senior leadership capacity.
EU Head of Quality Control
Location: Ireland
The Challenge
Our client, a large multinational, required an interim solution for a specialist-level position overseeing the externally tested product within the EU. The role was critical to the organisation's operations, yet it proved challenging to identify candidates with the required expertise in Ireland, where most Quality Control professionals had site-based experience.
Our Approach
We leveraged our international network to search for candidates beyond the local market, tapping into our connections across the EU. After thorough research, we identified a highly qualified Quality Control Consultant who had operated in a similar capacity for UK operations.
The Outcome
The selected candidate proved to be an excellent fit for the role, leading to a successful contracting arrangement that lasted nearly four years. The consultant’s performance exceeded expectations until retirement prompted the organisation to seek a permanent replacement.
Global Technical Operations Managers (Multiple Roles)
Industry: Biopharmaceutical
Location: Ireland/Europe
The Challenge
As the client transitioned product manufacturing from CMOs to its internal network, they required multiple technical operations professionals across Europe to support commercialisation for an initial 12-month term.
Our Approach
Leveraging our extensive contractor network, we responded within 48 hours with multiple qualified candidates across various geographies.
The Outcome
Several specialists are now supporting the client’s global operations remotely from Ireland, enabling continuity and compliance in their commercialisation strategy.
Chief Transformation Officer
Industry: Utilities & Energy
Location: Ireland
The Challenge
Our client was investing heavily in automation across multiple business units and needed a transformation leader to drive systems, process, and people change.
Our Approach
We first assessed our internal contractor network but found no immediate availability within the utilities sector. Our research team then mapped the UK contractor market, quickly identifying a highly qualified candidate approaching availability.
The Outcome
The preferred candidate was secured within 72 hours and commenced on-site two weeks later. The nine-month engagement made a significant contribution to the client’s ongoing transformation programme.
HR Transformation Director
Location: Ireland
The Challenge
The client was undergoing a significant HR transformation as part of an organisational restructure. They required a senior HR leader with experience in large-scale change and workforce planning, available immediately on a day-rate contract, with potential to extend.
Our Approach
We worked closely with the client to shape the scope of work and define success. Through our senior HR consultant network and targeted headhunting, we identified candidates with the right mix of transformation leadership and stakeholder management. We also provided real-time market intelligence on availability, compensation, and structuring options.
The Outcome
We placed a specialist consultant within 72 hours, who brought proven expertise in complex change environments. Our insight-led process enabled swift decision-making, avoiding any project delays.
