Director of Contract Recruitment in Altrincham

We are looking for an experienced and commercially driven Director of Contract Recruitment – Construction & Engineering to join our senior management team and take strategic ownership of our white-collar contract recruitment operations across both the UK and USA. This is a senior leadership position within an established and growing recruitment business with nearly 7 years of successful trading.

We are looking for someone who understands the construction and engineering markets, has a proven track record in contract recruitment, and can combine commercial leadership, operational management and business development to drive the next stage of growth. The successful candidate will have a strong background in providing white-collar contract recruitment solutions to organisations including main contractors, subcontractors, general contractors and specialist engineering or construction consultancies.

You will play a key role in developing our contract recruitment strategy, strengthening existing client relationships, identifying new opportunities and leading teams across both sides of the Atlantic.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Take overall responsibility for the growth and performance of the company's UK and USA contract recruitment divisions.
  • Develop and implement a clear strategy for expanding our white-collar contract recruitment offering.
  • Identify new markets, sectors, clients and revenue opportunities across the construction and engineering industries.
  • Work closely with the senior management team to shape the company's wider growth strategy.
  • Establish and monitor KPIs, targets and commercial objectives across the contract recruitment function.
• Client & Business Development
  • Develop and maintain senior-level relationships with main contractors, subcontractors, general contractors and specialist consultancies.
  • Identify and secure new contract recruitment opportunities and preferred supplier relationships.
  • Develop strategic accounts and maximise opportunities within existing client portfolios.
  • Act as a senior point of contact for key clients, providing market insight and tailored recruitment solutions.
  • Lead from the front on business development where required, supporting the team in winning new business and expanding existing accounts.
  • Provide leadership, direction and mentoring to contract recruitment teams across the UK and USA.
  • Develop a high-performance culture focused on delivery, commercial performance and client service.
  • Recruit, develop and retain high-calibre recruitment professionals.
  • Support managers and consultants in achieving individual and team targets.
  • Introduce best practices, processes and performance standards across both regions.
  • Work collaboratively with the UK and USA teams while ensuring consistency in strategy, standards and delivery.
• Operational & Commercial Management
  • Oversee the end-to-end delivery of white-collar contract recruitment campaigns.
  • Ensure high standards of candidate attraction, qualification, compliance and client delivery.
  • Monitor revenue, margins, contractor numbers, fill rates and other key commercial metrics.
  • Identify operational efficiencies and opportunities to improve profitability and scalability.
  • Work closely with internal operational and compliance functions to ensure contract recruitment is delivered effectively and professionally.
  • Ensure the business remains responsive to market conditions and the differing requirements of the UK and USA markets.

Candidate Profile

We are looking for an established recruitment leader who can bring significant practical experience and commercial credibility to the role. You will ideally have:

• A proven track record within white-collar contract recruitment.
• Strong experience recruiting within Construction and/or Engineering.
• Demonstrable experience supplying professionals to main contractors, subcontractors, general contractors and/or specialist consultancies.
• Experience managing and developing recruitment teams.
• A strong understanding of contractor recruitment models, processes and commercial structures.
• A proven ability to develop senior client relationships and win new business.
• Experience working across, or a strong understanding of, both the UK and USA construction/engineering markets would be highly advantageous.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to manage revenue, margins and business performance.
• Excellent leadership, communication and negotiation skills.
• A hands-on, entrepreneurial approach with the ability to operate strategically while remaining close to the day-to-day operation.
• The confidence and credibility to engage with senior stakeholders, clients and candidates at all levels.

What We're Looking For

This is not simply a management position. We are looking for someone who can build, lead and grow a contract recruitment operation. You will be commercially minded, ambitious and motivated by creating something successful. You should be comfortable working in an established but entrepreneurial environment where your experience, ideas and leadership can have a genuine impact on the direction of the business. The ability to operate effectively across different time zones and cultures is important, as you will work closely with both our UK and USA teams.

The Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to join an established recruitment business at a key stage of its growth and take a significant leadership role in developing our contract recruitment offering internationally. The role is predominantly based from our Head Office in Altrincham, Cheshire, with flexibility around working hours to accommodate collaboration with our USA operation. Travel will also be required from time to time, including travel to meet clients, attend industry events and support our international teams. Salary and benefits will be negotiated with the successful candidate and will reflect the seniority of the appointment, experience and commercial value they bring to the business.

If you have a proven background in white-collar contract recruitment within Construction & Engineering and are ready to take ownership of an established and growing international operation, we would like to hear from you.