Right now, in the senior leadership hiring world, it’s a candidate’s market. The competition to attract top-tier talent, capable of driving forward some of the boldest Transport modernisation strategies we’ve seen in a generation, is heating up.
Job adverts have never needed to work harder, and strong candidates have never been more in-demand. And that combination is putting pressure on hiring managers to produce high-performing senior leadership job adverts that deliver exceptional talent.
In this masterclass, we explain the four fundamental features of senior leadership job adverts that attract the strongest Transport candidates in today’s intense vacancy market.
Feature 1: They feel authentic
Now, we’re not saying that your senior leadership job adverts should be a masterclass in creative writing. After all, you’re talking to busy, strategic people and clear, concise communication is paramount.
But the last thing you want is a job advert that feels autogenerated, templated, or a tad soulless. Your adverts are an opportunity to capture the attention of a talented individual who really wants to work for you. And the only way to do this is to show a little of yourself in the advert!
In Intuitive’s experience, the best way to achieve this is through integrating the voices of those who love working for you. Talk to the team you’re hiring into – potentially your outgoing leader too – and ask about their experience in the organisation.
When drafting your advert, lace through the sentiments, values and key words that were shared. The result will be a senior leadership job advert that feels authentic but retains the professionalism and trusted best-practices you’ve curated as a hiring manager.
Feature 2: The EVP comes first
We speak a lot about Employer Value Propositions (EVP) because they really are that important. In the last year, 63% of people changed jobs because they did not feel included, valued, respected or trusted by their former employer. You can read our EVP guide here or check out our EVP Masterclass for hiring managers here.
So, despite UK wages reaching record highs, it’s crystal clear that talented professional want to work for far more than money. They’re also seeking meaningful careers that are well-rounded and fulfilling. In short, job adverts centred on salaries and tasks are unlikely to attract the strong candidates that’ll stick with you.
Now, take a look at your current live job adverts or draft templates. Do they lean heavily toward tasks and role responsibilities? Do they lead with your EVP and is it incorporated throughout? Do you even have an EVP to frame your advert around?
If your EVP is taking a back seat in senior leadership job adverts, perhaps it’s time to embrace a change in approach. For unbiased insight into what’s resonating with top talent right now, please feel welcome to drop Intuitive a line here.
Feature 3: They have eyes on the future
Senior leaders seek opportunities where they can progress their careers, strategically develop skills, and make a noticeable difference. There are few sectors where this more obvious than Transport!
As society tasks itself with becoming sustainable, and Transport works toward critical net zero targets, the sector will change beyond recognition. Its ambitious modernisation roadmap should have huge appeal to top-tier leadership talent, eager and able to take on projects that’ll redefine an enterprise’s future.
So, make sure that your job advert speaks to ambition. Briefly describe the roadmap you see your organisation taking and how your chosen senior leader will shape it.
And be as specific as possible. I.e., if you have growth plans, touch on the strategy behind them. For example, are you investigating how hydrogen fuel cells can help increase passenger numbers by offering a smoother, quieter ride? Or driving an accessibility improvement through a grassroots ED&I project?
Feature 4: Salary is approached carefully
This age-old recruitment debate is going nowhere! However you feel about stating salaries on leadership job adverts, in today’s hiring climate it’s important to be pragmatic and treat each listing on a case-by-case basis.
There are, of course, certain expectations for senior leadership salary packages, and negotiations are normal. Therefore, mention of a generous salary band may be enough abate both sides of the debate. That said, hiring managers must be extremely careful when mentioning numbers, given the inherent package ranges amongst senior leaders – especially those brought in to deliver large-scale business transformation.
In Intuitive’s opinion, there’s no right or wrong choice when it comes to listing salaries – the decision is all yours! We only advise thinking very carefully about the value and risk of detailing this information, and evaluating how it’ll benefit your top-tier talent attraction.
Are you confident that your senior leadership and c-suite job adverts will attract the best talent for your Transport organisation? Do you feel like your hiring process is losing momentum, or you’re making unnecessary compromises?
It can be different, hiring managers! Arrange an initial chat with Intuitive here for impartial guidance and advice about reinvigorating your job adverts.
Read more
