Our Recruitment Business Partner Alex Jenkins spoke to us about the roles she has held at Changing Lives and how she has grown professionally and personally to be promoted into her new role.
Tell us a bit about you! Your hobbies and interests etc.
In my free time I love to go to the cinema, its the sheer escapism that I enjoy and to have a shared experience with other people. I'm a huge film fan, it's a subject I could talk about for hours, I also have a degree in film studies.
One of my other passions is travel, put me on a plane and I'll pretty much go anywhere. I used to work as a travel agent for over ten years and I'm lucky to have visited some incredible places. I'm a firm believer that when you travel it opens you up to new cultures and experiences and it makes you grow as a person.
Other than that I like to unwind by reading a good book, spending time with family and friends and trying new restaurants.
How long have you worked at Changing Lives, and what roles have you had in your time? Tell us a bit more about your roles.
I’ve worked for Changing Lives for two years. I started as a Talent and Resourcing Advisor and then worked my way up to Recruitment Manager and more recently I’ve been promoted to Recruitment Business Partner.
What does your new role entail?
My new role as Recruitment Business Partner plays a strategic part in aligning recruitment with the wider organisation. This involves working closely with heads of department to understand their workforce planning requirements and to align recruitment strategies with business development plans.
How does your role differ from your former role now you hold more responsibility?
Moving into the business partner role, my scope has broadened, and I have a much more strategic approach. My day to day now is less about managing specific tasks, and more about building relationships and supporting the business strategy, ensuring alignment with our company goals.
How do you feel you had to develop professionally (and personally) in order to secure your new role?
I’ve learnt so much since joining Changing Lives both personally and professionally. The transition from manager to recruitment business partner has pushed me to grow in several ways. I’ve had to change my way of thinking – from being task orientated to strategic. I believe this has strengthened my ability to look at the organisation’s needs, communicate and build trust with senior management.
I’ve also developed a greater resilience and I’m more adaptable as the role often involves leading change. Its challenged me to become more confident in my voice and abilities and I’m more proactive in driving outcomes and more collaborative across different functions of the business. This has also helped me personally as I’ve never been a very confident person and now, I’m finding my voice and not second guessing myself as much. The support and encouragement I’ve received from my manager has been fantastic.
