Background
A former candidate, who was now working with a national housing association, reached out for our assistance in filling a temporary gap within their team. They needed a part-time Design Support for two days a week, over an 8-week period, to cover a permanent vacancy during a major organisational merger.
The Requirement
The interim brief was straightforward; the client needed a Design professional to assist their internal team. This involved supporting the creation of internal communications documents and designing brand campaigns, for both digital and print formats, while liaising with various internal stakeholders.
The challenge with this requirement was twofold:
- Finding a suitable candidate during a period of significant organisational change, while ensuring the arrangement was flexible enough to meet the client’s needs.
- Given the complexities of onboarding temporary staff in large public sector organisations, and especially amid a merger, the process seemed likely to be slow and cumbersome.
Additionally, with team members spread across the country and working from multiple offices, the client determined that a remote working arrangement would be the most effective and efficient approach for this role.
The Solution
Following a thorough briefing meeting, we recommended a fully managed freelance solution. This approach allowed us to source and vet the ideal contractor, handle all bookings and payments, and ensure smooth transition into the role.
We presented a selection of experienced design contractors, each with background in public sector work and availability that aligned with the client’s part-time requirement. After the initial round of interviews, the client selected a contractor who was a perfect fit.
Our solution provided the housing association with the design support it needed during a time of significant change, while maintaining flexibility and efficiency. The contractor’s performance exceeded expectations, and the client extended their contract to provide additional design support for the roll out of their new joint brand.
