Going from a Team Leader to a Managing Director for Global Permanent Life Science Recruitment

Living the dream, team leader to MD

We interviewed Harpreet six years ago when he was a Team Manager at Skills Alliance after joining us 15 months earlier as a Team Leader. His aspiration at the time was to lead the largest and most profitable team in Skills Alliance globally and to get to Managing Director. Let’s find out how he did achieve career success.

Congratulations on realising what you set to achieve, tell us about your journey from Team Leader to Global Permanent MD? How was this made possible at Skills Alliance?

I originally came in looking to build out our European Permanent teams from scratch, predominantly focused on bringing in graduate hires, some of whom now leading high performing teams. To help accelerate this growth, we made some great experienced hires who are also still with the business.

Fair to say, it wasn’t a straightforward journey and 2023 was a real challenge at times. But with loyalty and trust as core fundamental beliefs around everything we do, I’m fortunate that most of the Permanent management team, who were hired soon after I joined, are still here.

And Skills Alliance made this all possible through the continuous support and development provided by the business. Whenever I doubted a decision, Carl was always on hand to support and reassure me that the correct decision was being made. Being in a business which is so big on personal development and growth really helps you push harder, ensuring everyone wins.

What does your role now entail?

Ensuring that our sales teams globally are performing and receiving the support to ensure they hit their number and achieve their goals – aka a lot of meetings!

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I believed for years that there was no better joy in recruitment than billing and earning big commission cheques but seeing people develop and move up the ladder is a whole different buzz. From watching graduates buy their first expensive watch or bag, to senior consultants getting their foot on the property ladder, it’s amazing to see people’s growth.

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to become a managing director?

Never lose sight of the goal. Each month is a new challenge and sometimes it can feel like one step forward and three steps back but keep seeking opportunities to learn. Taking feedback onboard is super important without getting defensive and seeing it as an attack. We all have so many blind spots and it’s important we recognise them. That is how you grow.