One of the most critical endeavors any company can undertake is the selection and nurturing of its leadership talent. Since 1974, the life sciences field’s foremost companies have trusted Bench International to identify and develop their most vital asset: their people. Forming the foundation of our company, our retained executive search services set an unparalleled standard for excellence and results. Through a proven, well-honed methodology and a richly developed network, we help clients to build high-performance, diverse leaders.
We demand more from ourselves; employing a shared-risk fee structure, providing efficient timetables, and taking a proactive approach to discovering candidates and anticipating issues. Our process of recruiting, developing, retaining and integrating key corporate executives operates on a 100% client-focused philosophy. We provide expert guidance, advisement and collaboration with clients throughout the search process, supporting them politically and practically. We demand more from our candidates, devoting considerable effort to their evaluation against a host of stability and driving determinants. This approach facilitates our procurement of the top-level professionals who can do the job, will do the job, and fit our client’s culture best.
Why We’re Different…
Specialized in Life Sciences
We better understand the intricacies of the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors because we live and breathe in these highly specialized arenas. This exclusive focus translates to an acute insight and skill set, fine-tuned to those issues intrinsic to the field. The bottom line: Bench International is strategically positioned to attract candidates with the precise background and competencies your company requires. Our team members represent the ultimate in industry experience and content knowledge.
Milestone-Accountable Timetable & Fee Structure
Our unique milestone-accountable approach continually motivates us to provide the most efficient, results-driven system. Within just the first two to five weeks, every client receives a slate of viable candidates with complete CVs who fit the bill and are willing to engage. After six weeks out of the gate, we are already conducting follow-up interviews, designing summary grids and determining finalist selection. And by the 12- to -16 week mark, when our client extends an offer, there is peace of mind in knowing that back-up candidates are already readily positioned.
Our fee structure is based on performance milestones, which means results precede payment. Many traditional retained search firms base compensation solely on time milestones or require full payment before any placement is even made! At Bench, we take a shared-risk route to leadership talent. All payments to us are based on three milestones: (1) initiation of the contract; (2) presentation of a qualified slate of candidates who “can do, will do and fit”; and (3) actual hiring
A Higher Caliber of Candidates
In the vetting process, the average firm conducts limited background checks. We scrupulously perform in-person, in-depth investigations on each candidate (and even his/her significant other). We evaluate the experience, competencies, accomplishments and translatability of each candidate. And we employ Harrison Innerview® technology to compare candidate characteristics and determinants (such as beliefs, values, adaptability, teaching and integrity) against the position and organizational needs. The end result is a candidate not merely qualified for the job, but whose personality, attitude and approach will best fit into our client’s culture and goals.
Large, Diverse, and Experienced Professional Teams
Many other firms dedicate just one professional or recruiter to a project, plus support. At Bench, our dedicated team approach guarantees that every client receives at least two or more committed professionals along with full support. Our executive teams possess pervasive industry leadership experience and expertise in recruitment. They also embody the qualities our clients seek in their executives, like ethnic and gender diversity.
Unwavering Ethics
Other firms sometimes forgo their honor or the best interest of the client to appease shareholders or boost their own financial gain. At Bench, we prize ethics above all else. We believe in full disclosure – the good and the bad. We do not recruit candidates we have placed. In fact, we won’t hesitate to pull a candidate in the eleventh hour if something negative is suddenly uncovered. This makes our work more difficult, but we consider it the only way to do business. We advise our clients based on what’s best for them, not our pocketbook.
At Bench International, we give you more than our 96% fill rate. We give you what matters even more: successful fill rates over the long term. More than 75% of the hires we place are still with the client five years later… and have been promoted at least once! This success is partly owed to a more selective process and candidate pool. We initiate 110 to 150 searches per year and sustain a capacity for 75 concurrent searches. However, on average our time to close is only four months. Additionally, we maintain a candidate database of over 70,000 qualified life science professionals.