Role: Business Development Manager
Company: Balmoral Healthcare
Track Record:
Tell us more about the company you work for?
Balmoral Healthcare is one of the top nursing agencies in Belfast, helping to fill hundreds of full-time and part-time nursing jobs in Northern Ireland every year. Balmoral Healthcare’s’ reputation in healthcare staffing is second to none and we are regarded as one of the top nursing agencies in Northern Ireland supplying staff into both Public & Private sectors within Healthcare.
What was your very first job?
My first job was working for VHS, The Cutts, Dunmurray. VHS is a leading entertainment wholesaler, supplying all forms of entertainment media to the retail market. It was a great experience and was thrown into the deep end in most roles including order placing, dealing with customers and working 10 hour shifts for very little pay.
What made you decide to pursue your present career?
I have always thought that recruitment would be a very rewarding job. Through previously running my own business, I had experience in the recruitment process and enjoyed giving people an opportunity. Through my sales background and getting the best out of people in my own business, I found I was a natural at placing people in the right roles.
How long have you been in your current position?
I have been in Business Development with Balmoral for around 7 months now, however been in recruitment for several years.
Does your role offer ongoing training and development?
Balmoral Healthcare is great at promoting development of all their staff. The Managing Director is always seeking new and innovative ways of moving the company forward and encourages staff along the same path with training and development courses. Training is also made available for all of our candidates, all mandatory training is kept up to date and special courses made available in-house.
What does a typical working day involve?
Sometimes you wish you had a typical working day, unfortunately in recruitment this doesn’t happen. Client needs change daily, sometimes hourly and you have to prioritise accordingly as you go. I will be in continuous contact with clients, even before I arrive to the office, discussing their needs, then working on sourcing the best talent for the role. But mainly talking with clients, interviewing candidates, attending Nursing fairs and networking events.
What are your main responsibilities?
Developing business is my main role within the company which involves networking with leading Healthcare providers. Once business is established, I source and place the best talent for their roles. I mainly work in the Private sector of healthcare, assisting private hospitals/surgeries, nursing homes and assisted living projects with their staffing needs.
What skills do you need?
You need to be able to think quickly on your feet and be able to troubleshoot situations. Knowing how to find the right people for the right job is key; you mainly rely on repeat business and need to do a great job, first time round. Being able to use all the resourcing tools available and to their best of their ability.
What’s the best thing about your job?
The diversity in challenges that arise, the people you meet and helping others in opportunities to strive. Working for a company with a fantastic reputation such as Balmoral is great, it makes my job more enjoyable and people always want to work with/for you when they know they are dealing with Balmoral.
And the worst?
Sometimes there really isn’t enough time in the day! The legislation in healthcare is strict unlike other sectors, so slows some processes down, but is very necessary.
What personal qualities does your job require?
Within recruitment you have to be a people person. People of all walks should feel that you are approachable and reliable. I have many colleagues from my years in recruitment and would give each other advice and leads, so building lasting relationships with not only clients, but also colleagues is essential.
What advice would you give to someone wishing to pursue a similar career?
Recruitment is a very rewarding job that you have to be committed to – to get results. Choose which recruiter you want to work for carefully and always be reliable. Reliability is essential in recruitment.