Associate Resource Manager

Position Summary & key responsibilities

At Korn Ferry, we're not just in the business of advising our clients—we also help our employees reach their true potential. We have a collaborative culture where you can work with other talented people who share your passion for doing great work. As resource managers and workforce planning specialists, we play a key role in the development of KF consultants’ development, while also embarking on our own developmental journeys. So, if you want to work for a company that makes a real difference for clients, and you want to be part of a global team that plays a vital role in moving the business forward, then Resource Management (RM) is the team for you.

As an Associate Resource Manager (ARM) you will join a growing and centrally managed, global, professional Resource Management function.  You will work closely with the Firm’s internal consulting population across Consulting’s four capability areas: Assessment & Succession, Leadership Development, Organizational Strategy and Total Rewards to resource our internal and contingent (CWF) talent pools for client assignment and business development opportunities clients, optimising resource deployment. In this role, you will support several Senior Resource Managers for a pre-defined population (c.150) of delivery and sales consultants across levels from analyst to senior client partner.

RM is tightly aligned with geography and capability allowing for depth in understanding of the nature of our services and the people who can do the work.  Anchoring principles for this team include managing capacity, driving utilization, having client impact, and supporting consultant development.  While resourcing will help to support each of these outcomes, a strong partnership between capability leaders, people managers and consultants themselves is also required. In addition RM forms strong partnerships with other internal functions within the Firm such as HR, Legal Counsel, Operations and Finance.

The role requires a blend of out-in-front influencing and networking, with behind-the-scenes emotional intelligence, data savvy, and problem solving in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.

This role will report to a Senior Resource Manager in EMEA While on-site presence with our consultants is critical, some flexibility to work remote is possible when needed. Travel is minimal, with most meetings happening virtually.

If you have a passion for driving change, influencing senior internal stakeholders, and engaging with a global team, then this role is for you! Take the next step to create a brilliant career within Management at Korn Ferry and apply today.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Managing Stakeholders

• Drive an effective partnership with country leaders, country capability leaders and performance managers (within assigned countries/capabilities) and infuse productive resourcing practices into sales and delivery processes
• Stay current in understanding the organizational matrix (solutions, capabilities, markets, geos, internal functions) and be up to date on changes as they occur
• Work in close partnership with other key internal functions
• Onboard new consultants, educating them on how to effectively partner with RM

Resourcing

• Know your talent pool including numbers, individual skill profiles/interests, group skill gaps/surpluses, potential training needs
• Constantly evaluate the needs of the Firm, Region, Office, Client and Consultant in determining the right staffing solutions, contractor vs. internal talent tradeoff
• Manage client team expectations through timely information sharing and education
• Understand the staffing need fully, and in the unique context of the client/capability, determining consultant ‘success profile’ for Consulting’s various offerings
• Think appropriately outside immediate talent pools for the right solution. Help expose new or unknown talents to engagement teams, advocating for their capability to be successful in a new environment
• Assist in facilitating discussions to resolve resourcing conflicts
• Appreciate fully the need to adjust staffing approach to the needs and cultural norms of different countries

Resource Planning

• Seek and provide feedback; maintain an ongoing feedback loop with consultants and people managers on performance; utilize information to enhance development opportunities for consultants moving forwards
• Assist in forecasting future resource needs by analyzing project pipelines
• Escalate resource conflicts or shortages
  
  

Process Support & Improvement

• Drive the optimal use of KF TalentFinder to support the matching of resource requests to our talent pools – broadcasting requests to appropriate groups within RM where necessary, following globally agreed processes
• Support compliance with KF KPIs, policies and standards
• Ensure that consultants to use KF TalentFinder to transparently detail their skills and qualifications and availability and bookings – monitor and follow up discrepancies regularly
• Contribute to the improvement of resource management processes and tools
• Assist in implementing best practices in resourcing and reporting
  
  

Data and Reporting

• Review and monitor regular and adhoc reports, including but not limited to: utilization reporting, pipeline, capability trends and developments and revenue backlog
• Provide insights that support decision making for workforce planning
• Ensure accuracy and consistency of data in TalentFinder – resource management system
  
  

Understanding the Business

• Apply your knowledge of the professional services industry and how publicly listed consulting firms operate (e.g., contract-to-cash, business development cycles, project delivery cycles, billable hours, time entry, quarterly reporting etc) to staffing
• Leverage business and financial acumen to understand the implications of bill rates, fees, priority work etc.
• Understand our clients, what they do, what they need and how we are helping them
• Demonstrate strong commercial awareness when reporting to stakeholders: utilization, monitoring and investigating discrepancies between the data, and providing insight to the leadership teams, highlighting any potential concerns

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, & OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Relevant Bachelor’s degree highly preferred. Equivalent qualifications accepted.
• Proven experience in resource management or related field eg workforce planning
• Familiarity with resource management tools/software eg Smartsheet, Workday etc.
• Strong diplomacy, influencing, negotiation and conflict management skills
• Effectively work under pressure and with short timelines/competing demands.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills including the ability to work effectively across multiple geographies/cultures.
• Ability to partner at all levels of the organization internally and externally.
• Good analytical and reporting skills
• Creative and resourceful.
• Ability to maintain, align and drive process across all stakeholder groups
• Detail orientated with a strong focus on quality.
• Multiple languages preferred.