Acumen Executive & Talent Search is Portland’s premiere recruiting and executive search agency with a global reach.
Acumen leverages business leadership experience to identify the needs of the team and company and then finds the right person to achieve the goals and objectives of the organization. We help organizations build a better business from the inside out by finding the right leaders.
We know the value of time. Our consultative approach is focused on developing a thorough understanding of your needs in order to find candidates that you would not find through customary sources. What this means is that every search is a unique search. We don’t pull resumes from a database; we go out and find your next great hire.
Experience our management consulting approach.
Acumen’s Proven Search Process
Our proven 9-step methodology begins by understanding the culture and core value alignment between our client companies and candidates. We spend considerable time with key stakeholders learning about their unique culture, values, and requirements. With this mentality, we are not looking for hundreds of candidates, but that one candidate. Only then do we begin the recruitment and sourcing process utilizing both conventional and non-conventional methodologies, including our vast network and resources.
Acumen’s unique, customized search process points to our 99% fill rate. Acumen provides the highest level of customization and attention to detail in the industry. We spend hours interviewing and assessing the right candidates for you. We will tell you the good, the bad, and the ugly up front so you know what to expect long before the work begins. Because we follow this process without exception, we tend to screen out versus interview in. What this means is that our clients receive the highest level of candidates that have both the skillsets required and the cultural fit needed to be successful.
Acumen’s 9-Step Methodology
Our Customized Search Process Is People Focused,
Resulting In Our 99% Fill Rate For Executive and Managerial Positions.
Needs Analysis and Culture Assessment
We develop a Needs Assessment specific to you and your business needs to document specific requirements, behavior traits, qualifications, and skills needed by the successful candidate. We also develop a Culture Assessment as we believe cultural fit is critical for a successful placement. From this we create a customized search specific to your company.
Industry Research and Team Profiling
We conduct Industry Research to ensure we are up to date on trends in the market and the competitive landscape. We also compile a Team Profile of current executives and key staff to ensure that the individuals involved in the process are aligned on the requirements of the position and the ideal candidate.
Acumen Sourcing – Push/Pull Methodology
Our sourcing and networking strategy focuses on actively seeking both active and passive candidates possessing the required qualifications for the position. We cast a wide net and leverage our experience and vast network of resources and relationships. We rely on traditional talent search methods along with cutting edge technology and proprietary software.
Brand Amplification
Acumen leverages social media and other methods to amplify the company’s brand and profile as a leader in the market, acting as an extension of your marketing, sales, and PR functions (may include photos on location, links to interesting content, white papers, etc.)
Prescreening / Interviews / Career Coaching
We initially review each potential candidate from a technical perspective, closely examining core competencies, professional employment history, and educational background to determine if they meet the requirements of the position. During this process, the candidate and the search professional will co-create a substantive bio. If the candidate is potentially a successful fit, they are then invited to attend an in-depth, behavioral interview with one of our search professionals. If needed, the candidate is provided career coaching to help to develop and state their unique value proposition. We can also help facilitate any additional testing your organization requires.
Presentation of Top Candidates
Top candidates are presented to the client with their resume and candidate profile, which will contain a summary of pertinent candidate qualifications as well as essential insights gained by the Talent Director during our extensive interview process.
Client Interviews / Reference Checks
Clients interview their top picks. We provide reference checks and credential verification. Background checks, including criminal, are conducted when applicable.
Offer Development / Negotiation
Acumen assists in putting together an offer for the top candidate and negotiating salary.
Hire / Follow-up
Our job is not over once a candidate is hired. Our 92.7% placement rate is due, in part, to our ongoing follow-up with both client and candidate. Our goal is to ensure a positive transition for months and years afterwards.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We pride ourselves on being a small, woman-owned and operated search firm that is passionate about cultivating a culturally aware, diverse, and inclusive workforce for our client companies. Since 2007, Acumen has been proud of our ability to attract and hire a diverse range of talented candidates with 55% of candidates placed in leadership positions being women and/or from underrepresented communities. We are particularly proud of presenting and placing multiple women of color in executive roles over the last 2 years.
In equity hiring, it’s critical to understand our own inherent biases and point them out in others diplomatically when they surface – it’s important to be mindful of the fact that some candidates from diverse backgrounds may not be the most qualified on paper, but the gap can often be bridged with extra training or coaching, networking, resources that can help level the playing field.
Every organization has a different perspective on what DE&I looks like for them, so we are adept at listening and ensuring we understand your mission/vision/values/equity focus so we can attract candidates who will align with your organization on all fronts. We require each team member to pursue continuing education and community involvement. Our Senior Talent Director, Molly Norton, co-founded her own grassroots group dedicated to promoting multiculturalism, LGBTQ, intersectionality, and equity, in the local schools and has worked closely with respected anti-racism community groups LO for Love and Respond to Racism. Their mission is to foster a community in Lake Oswego that stands up against bigotry and intolerance and welcomes and embraces the diversity of all people. Molly is also a part of PDX Women in Tech which focuses much of its efforts on DE&I training and implementing those frameworks in their education and outreach. She also is well connected to international DEI thought leaders such as Madison Butler, Lily Zheng (Stanford), and Dana Brownlee (Forbes) who provide continuing education. She has been instrumental in keeping the Acumen Team well informed of DEI sector specific recruiting trends.