When charities and social impact organisations are looking to recruit the right people, there’s a dedicated team behind the scenes making it possible. In this inaugural interview for People Behind the Placements, we sit down with the Director of our Recruitment Advertising and Design Team – a leader who ensures campaigns not only meet expectations but deliver real impact. From shaping strategies and negotiating with media partners to celebrating client successes, Kiran’s role is all about amplifying visibility and telling compelling stories that attract exceptional candidates.
Read on as she shares what a typical day looks like, the trends shaping recruitment advertising, and why this work matters so much to charities and social impact organisations.
1. Tell us about your role and what a typical day looks like for you
As Director of the Recruitment Advertising and Design Team, I have overall responsibility for delivering the service. We have a number of regular clients who advertise with us weekly, each with an agreed SLA that we work towards.
My day typically starts with a morning call to the team to discuss the ad campaigns or design work our brilliant Account Managers are working on. It’s an opportunity for them to ask for guidance or simply keep me informed about the vacancies being advertised. It’s my job to ensure we’ve offered the best advice and the most appropriate approach to achieve successful outcomes for our clients.
The rest of my day is usually a mix of client calls, briefings, reviewing advertising activity, and discussing performance on specific campaigns or quarterly results. When I’m not collaborating with clients, I’m negotiating with media – exploring opportunities and securing the best offers for our clients.
As a member of the Leadership Team, I keep one eye on the Advertising and Design Department and another on the wider business, collaborating with colleagues on strategies and overall impact.
Tea and coffee feature heavily in my day, as do biscuits!
2. What do you enjoy most about the work you do on the Recruitment Advertising and Design Team?
I really enjoy working with my team. We’re in tune, we all understand our priorities, and we share a desire to deliver positive outcomes for our clients. Receiving feedback on campaign success and appointments is the best part because it means the work we’ve done has had a real impact, and as a team, we love to celebrate that!
3. How does your work support the organisations Prospectus partners with?
One of the reasons I joined Prospectus, and why I’ve stayed, is because I wanted to be part of something that truly matters: work with purpose and value. Luckily for me, that’s exactly what we do here.
My team and I work with so many organisations doing vital work—those striving to improve society and the wellbeing of others, from poverty relief and advice services to health and social care, and much more.
We advertise for the full range of roles. From entry-level and frontline positions to CEO and Board members. We understand the importance of every appointment in delivering an organisation’s mission. Our campaigns and strategies are designed to reach these candidates. Every appointed candidate will have their own unique impact, and knowing we helped make that happen through our advertising is what it’s all about.
4. What trends or challenges are you seeing in the sector right now?
AI’s impact is being felt at every level, and advertising is no exception. There’s a lot for us to learn, and we’re fortunate to collaborate with multi-channel media partners, giving us access to a wealth of data on advertising, hiring, and candidate behaviours, which we share with our clients. It comes up frequently in client conversations: “What should we do?” “What shouldn’t we do?”
Challenges in recruitment often come down to finances and budget constraints. This year in particular, several financial factors have impacted the sector. The cost-of-living crisis, reduced funding from the United States, and the latest NI ruling have meant organisations are cutting costs to make savings. Many have had to rethink fundraising strategies, and some have redirected recruitment and advertising budgets toward identified priorities.
5. How do you think recruitment advertising can make a real difference for charities and social impact organisations?
Visibility is key when it comes to recruitment advertising. Done well, it showcases an organisation’s brand and can position them as an employer of choice. Telling a positive story through job advertising gets you one step closer to engaging potential candidates and inspiring them to want to be part of your organisation, helping deliver your vision, mission, and values.
Even in challenging markets, we focus on how to maximise visibility for a role and how to bring out the most in a vacancy through brand, copy, and messaging.
6. What’s been the most meaningful campaign you’ve worked on?
That’s a tough one. There have been so many! Over the years, a memorable campaign was attracting psychologists for Crisis via a multi-channel approach and niche sites. It was a real success and fascinating to learn about.
More recently, through our newly developed Board Advertising product, we’ve driven quality applicants to both Young Lives vs Cancer and Brooke, who successfully appointed. These campaigns were great examples of truly collaborative working with positive outcomes.
7. What motivates you about working in this space?
Over the years, I’ve built strong relationships with clients and colleagues alike. I’m a people person! I like to talk and I like to listen (you should have seen my school reports). For me, establishing connections, building trust, and really getting into the specifics of an organisation motivates me. Understanding their challenges and playing our small but crucial part in building their teams is the best thing you can do in recruitment.
8. What advice would you give to organisations looking to attract great talent in the sector?
There is great talent out there. The market shifts between being client-led and candidate-led, depending on the economy and current climate. Our long-standing expertise in the sector allows us to understand our clients’ needs and how we can best support their recruitment advertising. We work best when we truly collaborate with clients—understanding their challenges and devising a plan that will have the biggest impact. Here are some quick-fire tips to attract and secure the right talent in the charity and not-for-profit sector:
Ready to attract the right talent for your organisation?
At Prospectus, we understand the unique challenges charities and social impact organisations face when recruiting. Our Recruitment Advertising and Design Team works closely with you to craft campaigns that amplify your brand, tell your story, and reach the candidates who share your mission. From strategic planning to multi-channel delivery, we’ll help you stand out in a competitive market and secure the people who will make a real difference.
Get in touch with the team today to start building your next successful campaign.
