Permanent Recruitment Case Study: Contracts & Business Development Manager

Job title of Permanent Recruitment: Contracts & Business Development Manager

Recruitment Type: Retained and Exclusive to Faststream Recruitment

Business Type: Turbo Service and Repair

Location: UK with Global Remit

Key Stakeholders: Managing Director (MD)

A global turbo service and repair company approached Faststream Recruitment with a critical hiring need. They were originally seeking a Business Development Manager, but after engaging with Faststream, the role evolved into a Contracts & Business Development Manager, reflecting the calibre and expertise of the eventual hire.

The client needed someone with a strong technical background – ideally in naval architecture or marine engineering who also had proven sales and commercial experience. This person would lead the full sales cycle, from new business development to securing large-scale service agreements, contract negotiation, and client onboarding. The candidate also had to be confident, outgoing, and adept at working across cultures due to extensive international travel.

The Challenge

Our client initially tried working with generalist recruiters but quickly realised that the specialist nature of the role required a different approach. Finding someone with deep technical knowledge and a strong commercial mindset proved incredibly difficult – particularly within the UK market.

This role was business-critical and urgent, with high expectations for quality and delivery speed. Despite it being a replacement hire, the role evolved into a newly created position once the right candidate was identified. The client needed to trust the process, and in a market where talent is scarce, they also required a recruiter who understood the importance of cultural fit and could operate with agility.

The Solution

Faststream, led by Lee Williams, took a retained and exclusive approach to the search. The recruitment process was highly consultative and included:

A face-to-face meeting with the client in their office to fully understand the business and team environment
A detailed brief capturing both the technical and commercial requirements of the role
A targeted search strategy, including market mapping and proactive outreach
In-depth screening and assessment of candidates
Regular updates and open communication to align on expectations and progress
Delivery of a shortlist of five strong candidates within two weeks
Coordination of interviews within the first month
Full offer management, followed by preboarding and onboarding support

Despite initial hesitancy, the client placed full trust in Lee’s recommendation – even agreeing to meet the candidate they weren’t originally planning to see. That trust proved pivotal.

The Results

Faststream delivered an exceptional outcome within a highly competitive and time-sensitive recruitment landscape.

Within just two weeks, Lee Williams presented a shortlist of five qualified candidates – each carefully selected for their technical expertise, commercial acumen, and cultural fit. This rapid turnaround was made possible by Faststream’s deep market knowledge, targeted search strategy, and efficient communication with the client throughout the process.

Interviews were arranged and completed within the first month, allowing the client to maintain momentum and move swiftly into the offer stage. Despite the complexities of the holiday period and the candidate’s notice period, the successful individual signed the contract in January and was fully onboarded within two months of the initial engagement.

The standout candidate came from a technical background in marine engineering and brought with them a wealth of experience in managing high-value contracts and service agreements. Their ability to lead the entire sales cycle – from identifying new business through to contract negotiation and client onboarding – meant that the original Business Development Manager brief was reimagined. The client created a new, more strategic role to maximise the potential of this hire: Contracts & Business Development Manager.

Since joining, the candidate has brought immediate commercial value to the organisation, strengthening their global customer relationships and driving new revenue opportunities. Their outgoing nature, cultural awareness, and ability to engage face-to-face with clients worldwide have further cemented the success of this placement.

Beyond the hire itself, the client benefited from:

Significant time and cost savings through a focused and exclusive retained search
Reduced risk of a mis-hire thanks to in-depth assessment and screening
Enhanced employer brand positioning by engaging with candidates through a professional and personalised process
Trust and confidence in Faststream’s ability to deliver at speed and with precision

This case reinforced the value of working with a specialist maritime recruiter who truly understands the industry, the people, and the impact that great leadership can have on commercial performance.