In Vivo Team Buildout for UK Biopharmaceutical CRO

We placed 135 hires in 4 years, enabling In Vivo department growth and meeting preclinical demands.

The Challenge

A Contract Research Organisation based in the UK, with over 1500 employees. Having 4 sites in the UK, early drug discovery and preclinical development projects were increasing across the sites due to their success in aiding their client’s research projects. The client had a goal of increasing headcount within the In Vivo department but due to the rural location of their sites, candidates would prove difficult to attract via conventional methods.  

The client aimed to increase the In Vivo department headcount by 60-100 employees within a 6 month period, to not only meet current workload demands but enable continual growth within the department. Given the geographical restrictions and the number of hirers required, securing this talent would prove a significant challenge. The client needed a recruitment partner who could facilitate their growth who also could streamline the recruitment process by offering a comprehensive onboarding process whilst also ensuring compliance due to the sensitive nature of the research.

Our Approach

Barrington James subsidiary S3 Science has built on an existing relationship with the client, positioning itself as a trusted recruitment partner. The client engaged us on a monthly project management retainer with a sliding scale of fees based on volume of hirers per month. We operated on an RPO (Recruitment Process Outsourcing) basis, handling the entire interview and placement process, including candidates from alternative channels as well as our own network.

We began by strategizing with the client to ensure sustainable growth. Our initial focus was on a hiring and onboarding strategy so the team were not inundated by larger than average starters per month and from there, we built out a comprehensive strategy for attracting talent, interviewing and onboarding to ensure we can achieve the company’s targeted headcount growth.

We integrated into the client’s Applicant Tracking System (ATS), allowing us to seamlessly manage the recruitment process. This integration enabled us to schedule interviews, provide feedback, and process candidates efficiently, minimizing the need for excessive communication and improving the overall workflow between our teams and the client’s HR department.

Results and Outcomes

Over the last four years, Barrington James subsidiary S3 Science has made 135 placements for the client, encompassing both permanent and contract roles. Our support enabled the company to ensure they were meeting project deadlines whilst also facilitating growth within the department and retain department headcount due to the increased support.

Our ongoing partnership has seen the company’s structure evolve, and we continue to work closely with them to align new hires with their strategic direction. This approach has ensured the client’s operational and preclinical development capabilities remain robust, enabling them to navigate the challenges of rapid expansion.

The client has consistently provided positive feedback, praising our collaboration and the strong relationship we’ve developed with their HR and Talent Acquisition teams. This partnership has positioned S3 Science as a trusted and integral recruitment partner, and we remain committed to supporting the client as they continue their growth journey.