Case Study :
How our Headhunters Successfully Recruited a Marketing Manager
With years of experience headhunting marketing leaders, we’ve tackled many intriguing client cases. Today, we spotlight a recent recruitment for a marketing manager in an SME within the construction materials sector.
Our deep industry knowledge helped us identify a candidate who not only grasped the sector’s complexities but also seamlessly integrated and thrived in their new role.
Read on to discover how their unique profile made this search so compelling!
The Context Behind this Marketing Manager’s Recruitment
Our client, an innovative SME in the construction materials sector with 10 employees, faced a critical challenge. With the launch of a new product brand in a new market, they urgently needed a go-to-market and brand awareness strategy to introduce technical solutions in an ever-evolving industry.
To succeed, they required an autonomous and versatile Marketing Manager. However, several factors made the search complex:
- Two previous hires had not worked out.
- Budget constraints typical of a small business.
- The need for a candidate who could grow with the company and adapt to its expanding footprint.
The General Manager sought someone who could not only embody the company’s DNA but also navigate its technical and geographical challenges.
Why Was This Marketing Manager Recruitment a Big Challenge?
The search came with three major challenges.
First, the location was a hurdle—despite the role’s appeal, many candidates were unwilling to make the daily commute.
“Since the client didn’t consider remote work an option, we had to convince talented individuals to work on-site, in person.” — Nicolas Di Silvestro, Regional Director Grand Est
Second, the salary was below the market average, requiring precise targeting and a highly personalized approach to attract an experienced professional open to the offer.
Finally, they needed a rare blend of skills: a seasoned marketer proficient in strategy and content creation, with a strong technical understanding of the products.
Our Methodical Approach to Finding the Ideal Marketing Manager
A Precise Analysis of the Client's Needs
Although we had been working with this client for three years, we took the time to refine the job description with them to ensure a deep understanding of the required skills.
We also analyzed their previous recruitment attempts for the Marketing Manager role to identify what went wrong, allowing us to fine-tune our search criteria.
A job description doesn’t always capture the full scope of what it takes to succeed. As headhunters, our job is to read between the lines—digging deeper to uncover the real skills and attributes needed.
With this clarity, we helped define their expectations regarding management and on-site presence.
Implementing the Fauve Strategy: A Structured Process With a Proven Track Record
Here’s how we approached the search for the SME’s Marketing Manager:
Strategic Kickoff: Our team held an internal launch meeting to define our approach. Brainstorming together helps us develop creative candidate acquisition tactics. In this case, considering the client’s budget constraints, we focused on professionals seeking flexible work hours.
Active Search & Targeted Outreach: We leveraged our databases, professional networks, and specialized tools to identify and pre-qualify top talent. A personalized outreach strategy helped us engage candidates, and our adaptability led us to unique profiles.
Pre-Qualification & Assessment: A critical step was pre-qualification via phone interviews and follow-ups. We assessed key skills and, most importantly, ensured alignment between candidates’ profiles and the company’s needs.
Client Communication & Market Insights: We provided weekly updates, keeping the client informed on market realities—candidate availability, profile trends, and salary expectations—ensuring full transparency.
Final Candidate Evaluation: We conducted in-depth interviews to assess each candidate’s ability to take on the role’s challenges and drive success.
What Made This Marketing Manager Recruitment a Success?
Our creative and strategic approach led us to the ideal candidate by thoroughly understanding the role’s real challenges and defining the key qualities needed.
Ultimately, we found a senior candidate with even more experience than expected, who accepted a part-time position at 80%, allowing us to:
- Stay within the company’s budget
- Leverage expert insights to support growth
The Impact of This Successful Recruitment on the Company
Our strength lies in building long-term partnerships, which is why we conduct a six-month follow-up to ensure successful candidate integration.
This follow-up confirmed the hire’s positive impact. In just a few months, the company’s visibility on social media increased, with more diverse, high-quality, and better-targeted content. Their employer brand strengthened as messaging became more tailored to different audiences, and collaboration between the marketing and technical teams improved significantly.
Thanks to our industry expertise, we identified a game-changing candidate. In a sector where hiring is particularly challenging, our client hadn’t considered a part-time role for a senior professional. What sets our recruitment strategy apart is our ability to uncover your real needs and connect you with exceptional talent you might never have considered.