Case Study: Business Development Manager – Funds Management

CLIENT

A leading global fund manager, Vanguard Investments engaged Kaizen Recruitment on a search recruitment assignment to find a recognised business development manager with well-developed IFA relationships and sound investment management knowledge.

Cultural fit for Vanguard was paramount as their distribution team operates in a collaborative team-based environment.

CHALLENGE

In the competitive and well-networked funds management community, it was critical to strategically and confidentially approach several suitable candidates about the opportunity. From our experience, it can be challenging to move high performing BDMs due to timing of when performance bonuses are paid.

In addition, Kaizen was asked to implement an active search process to support Vanguard’s online advertised recruitment campaign. Therefore, Kaizen had to demonstrate its market knowledge and reach only target passive candidates who aligned with Vanguard’s culture and values and weren’t active on the market. An additional focus of sales process and training (Miller Heiman) was used to screen candidates.

SOLUTION

Kaizen went beyond traditional online advertising and executed an active search process to target specialist BDMs.

After conducting thorough research of BDM professionals in the funds management / practise development market, we produced a detailed long list including real time market data around salaries, bonus structures and bonus payment dates and critically assessed cultural and team fit for Vanguard.

It was Kaizen’s deep industry knowledge and relationships, supported by market research which enabled us to produce a detailed long list of appropriate candidates which met Vanguard’s key requirements.

RESULT

Kaizen in partnership with Vanguard’s internal Talent Acquisition team and the Distribution Leadership team, assisted with an end-to-end recruitment process to appoint a Business Development Manager for Vanguard’s Intermediary Distribution team, led by Rebecca Yapsley.

Rebecca formerly of MLC brings with her more than 13 years’ financial services business development experience.

TESTIMONIAL

Rebecca Yapsley,  Business Development Manager – Vanguard Investments

“I have found Matthew and the team at Kaizen Recruitment, to be highly professional in all my dealings. Matthew has a very thorough understanding of the funds management industry and was professional and proactive assisting me with the recruitment process at Vanguard. He provided great advice, and feedback and always kept me updated on the recruitment process. I would highly recommend Matt, for employers and employees who are looking for recruitment assistance.”