Bristol-Myers Squibb Seeks Head of Global Talent Acquisition
June 4, 2015 – Global bio-pharma leader Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) is on the hunt for a head of global talent acquisition. The incumbent will lead a global team of more than 30 BMS individuals and 110-plus recruitment professionals working for talent solutions providers Cielo (in the U.S.) and Alexander Mann Solutions (overseas), two designated recruitment outsource providers for BMS. According to Bristol-Myers, the global head of talent acquisition has one tall order upon arrival: to be accountable for bringing the world’s very best talent to the company to achieve its mission of helping patients prevail over serious diseases. The position reports to the company’s head of global talent and organizational effectiveness, who in turn reports to the company’s chief human resources officer (CHRO) Ann Powell Judge, a veteran HR leader with more than 20 years of experience with Shire Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth, and Dow Chemical.
The ideal candidate will be responsible for implementing a best-in-class talent acquisition strategy for the company – and one that results in cost-effective talent solutions that have a direct impact on Bristol-Meyers Squibb’s business. Because of the intricacies involved, which include having knowledge of process, policy and procedures, recruitment technology, metrics measurement, social media branding, assessment systems, search partner management, and recruiter training and development, a minimum of 15 years’ experience as a talent acquisition leader is a must.
Preferably, the incumbent will also have previous experience building and implementing an enterprise-wide talent acquisition function within a large-scale global organization.
“Ideally, any candidate who walks in the door will bring a blended background which includes time spent within the life sciences sector as well as other industry sectors,” said Hunt Scanlon founding chairman and CEO Scott A. Scanlon. “This is one of the most all-inclusive talent acquisition position specifications I’ve seen in a long time.” The new head of global talent acquisition will likely partner closely with the company’s head of global diversity & inclusion to ensure a fully integrated talent program, say insiders familiar with the search.
A number of similar HR and talent acquisition searches are underway at other leading global healthcare organizations as the race to bring senior-level recruitment specialists in-house throughout the industry intensifies. Among them: Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Mount Sinai Health System, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, and Thermo Fisher Scientific. Nearly all of the position specifications seem to have one common prerequisite: talent acquisition leaders must be driven to deliver results and demonstrate a keen sense of urgency to achieve measureable outcomes. “This might be HR,” said Mr. Scanlon, “but if you don’t bring a bit of science along with you, you’re probably not the right candidate to apply.”
Contributed by Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor, Hunt Scanlon Media
