Career Strategy & Positioning
Pragmatic, recruiter-led strategies and tools to find, target and win the job you want.
The best roles go to the most visible, not the most qualified. Most executives approach their search the same way; update the resume or CV, reach out to a few recruiters, scan job boards and hope for the best. At senior level, that rarely works. Without a clear strategy you're competing on luck rather than positioning. We'll design a personalised strategy to deliver your objectives, whether that's active search, quiet exploration, recent redundancy, sector change, first NED role or building a portfolio.
“The executives who are best at navigatin the search process aren't always the most qualified. They're the ones who understand the game.”
Why strategic career planning is essential
Without a clear strategy, even the strongest executive career stalls. The senior job market is complex, opaque and unforgiving. The right roles rarely appear on job boards. Search firms work to their own agenda. And without a compelling, targeted narrative you risk being overlooked for roles you're perfectly qualified for
We help you answer the critical questions:
What roles am I actually targeting and why?
How do I access the hidden market before roles are advertised?
What makes me different from equally qualified competitors?
how do I engage search firms, my network and potential employers effectively?
Am I ready for a NED role and, if so, how do I position for it?
How do I negotiate the best possible offer once I get there?
With our help, every action will have a clear purpose as part of a wider framework.
The 3-Step Vantage Point Playbook
Step 1: Discovery & Diagnostic
A wise man once said 'tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat'. We start with a deep dive into your career history, your target roles and your current positioning. This will be an in-depth analysis which will establish your realistic ceiling and identify the gap between where you are and where you want to be. For clients navigating redundancy, transition or career crossroads, our transition coaching or counseling services can be part of this step.
Step 2: Value Proposition & Narrative
Together we define your target market, your ideal roles and your competitive differentiation. We lay the foundation for your narrative, the story that connects your career, communicates your value and passes the six-second recruiter test. For NED clients, we establish your governance positioning and board-readiness.
Step 3: Market Execution
We move from hoping for the best to a proactive, purposeful strategy. Direct applications, search firm engagement, LinkedIn visibility, network activation and access to the hidden market; every move mapped, sequenced and intentional. For clients building a portfolio career, we identify optimal sectors, roles and board positions.
Benefits
Confidence through clarity
No more scattergunning applications or second-guessing yourself. You’ll know exactly what to target, who to contact, why you're right for it, where to search, how to sell yourself and when to act.
A high-ROI shortcut
Two decades of insider knowledge compressed into a focused, efficient engagement that gives you the best change of an optimal outcome. Faster, smarter and way more effective than going it alone.
More opportunities with higher ceilings
Most senior roles are never advertised. A smart strategy gets you in front of the right people before a job is even posted, and into conversations you didn't know were possible.
Get the job you want
Insider knowledge of what recruiters actually want, a clear path through a complex market and the self-awareness to know exactly what you can offer. Everything you need to land the right role.
Pricing
Pricing varies based on scope and complexity. Contact us for a tailored quote.
"Most executive searches are won or lost before the candidate even applies."
Frequenly asked questions
What's included in a career strategy engagement?
A structured discovery conversation covering your career to date, your target roles and your current positioning. From there we define your narrative, your value proposition, your search strategy and your action plan. You'll leave with clarity on exactly what to do and in what order.
How long does it take?
Initial strategy sessions run 60-90 minutes, depending on the engagement. Most clients continue to refine their strategy with us as their search evolves and market feedback rolls in.
Is this a standalone service?
Career strategy underpins everything we do and is included as part of any full engagement. It can also be booked as a standalone coaching session for executives who want an objective perspective on their search.
Do I need this if I already know what I'm targeting?
In our experience, even the most focused executives discover blind spots, missed opportunities or positioning gaps once we start digging. Sense-checking your approach with a trusted sounding board is never wasted time. We ensure your target isn't just clear, but commercially viable and strategically sound
Can you help with offer negotiation?
Yes, as part of our coaching work. We help you understand your market value, assess the package and approach the conversation with confidence. Most executives leave money on the table simply because they don't know how to have this conversation effectively.
How is a NED search strategy different?
Positioning for a NED role requires a pivot from 'operational delivery' to governance, risk and stakeholder influence. You are assessed against a different competency framework and you'll likely find that the 'hidden market' is even more prevalent. Using a standard executive resume or CV for a board application is one of the most common - and avoidable - mistakes we see.
What if I've just been made redundant?
We work with executives at every stage including those navigating redundancy. The strategic and practical work is the same, covering what's next, how to position it, and how to move forward quickly. For clients who need additional emotional support through the transition, our certified counselling services are available as part of the engagement.
What does executive coaching cover beyond search?
Our coaching covers a range of leadership challenges: career development, performance improvement, leadership transitions and navigating complex workplace challenges. Our coaching is flexible and client-led, focusing on whatever is most critical to your professional momentum.
Ready to take the next step?
The first conversation is free. We'll talk through where you are, what you're targeting and how to make sure your career strategy is the best it can be. Contact us
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