What is your role at ECMS?
I have joined ECMS as the Talent Manager, to support the growth strategy and strategic hiring of the permanent and associate communities.
What do you enjoy most about being in talent acquisition?
I enjoy the balance of using my recruitment knowledge, with listening and responding to applicants and supporting their career development. I get the most out of my role by matching talent with an honest and consultative approach, to the relevant stakeholders we partner with, whilst providing strategic insight where possible.
You have recently come back from a career break – what has career journey been like so far?
I started my career in recruitment straight after graduation. I was hired by the support agency I approached to find work for me and moved from an admin position to a branch manager. After working there for just over 8 years, I decided I needed a change and moved to an agency that specialised in placing HR professionals in financial services.The high point in my career was when I was offered a job in-house after working at the agency for 2 years. This new role was working in the HR department of an international investment bank.
My role here grew to become the EMEA Team Lead in Talent Acquisition for the Asset Servicing arm. I was working at VP level, hiring for various local offices, our London offices and for a period, our Frankfurt office, as well as extensive project involvement. Again, after another 8 or so years, I left this role to have a career break to raise my three girls. Now that they have all started school, I am excited to join ECMS to manage their talent pool.
What part of flexible working is important to you?
Management buy-in is essential. The ability to work flexibly needs to not just be on paper, but in the reality of the day to day. I have been fortunate enough to find a great company that sees the value in allowing its workforce to be flexible. This means I can both manage my workload and ensure it balances with my external home commitments.
What are you passionate about that influences your work?
I am passionate about helping people. In my day-to-day role I help people develop and grow their professional careers, ensuring they are in the right roles, at the right time. At ECMS it’s important for me to make sure that each of our projects are well resourced with the right individuals, who have the correct skill base. The marrying of these two sides of the talent process is something I am passionate about getting right.
What is the best advice you have been given?
At a conference on career development an influential woman in leadership said,‘wherever possible, and sometimes when it seemed impossible, I would always say “yes”. This opened doors I didn’t always expect, it gave me opportunities that might have otherwise been lost. And it gave me the chance to get involved and develop’. This stuck in my mind as a positive way to approach things, although I do appreciate that a balance must be maintained at times.
Why did you choose to work for ECMS?
ECMS have been exceptional in accepting the flexibility I need for my home commitments, but above and beyond the flexibility, is the passion and drive which came across from the members of the team. The strategic direction of the company is exciting, and it’s a great time to really come in and make an impact. Where there is such a focus on growth, I am excited to own the talent process, as this is such an important part of the jigsaw.
Adele is working on a number of exciting roles at ECMS, view them here.
