An experienced PR and comms leader, Steph is now applying her people skills and business acumen to our construction recruitment desk.
Recruitment is all about building relationships and helping businesses and candidates get results. With a background in public relations (PR), our newest team member, Talent Specialist Stephanie Airlie, is a master in the art.
Before her recent leap into recruitment, Newcastle girl Steph successfully ran her own PR, comms and events agency, House of Airlie, for over 10 years.
Earlier in her career, she worked in retail and customer experience in London and Sydney for prestigious fashion brands. This included Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga and Sass & Bide.
Now part of our busy construction recruitment team, she’ll use her experience in communications and media to find, attract, and support top talent that fits our clients’ needs and workplace cultures.
Steph’s professional strengths include her consultative and strategic approach, brand building, strong communication and networking skills, region knowledge and a little black book of contacts!
Why did she hop from an established career to something new? Like many people, she was craving a new challenge. She had also always had in interest in recruitment.
With the PR and media industry going digital and now looking very different, she was finally compelled to make the switch—and the timing worked out perfectly.
“Working in comms and public relations specifically, I was in a fast-paced, results-driven environment, dealing with multiple stakeholders. It was a space I thrived in, and recruitment is very similar”, she shares.
Beyond this, and most of all, Steph loves working with people:
“I’m passionate about mentoring others,” she says. “There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing both people and businesses reach their full potential.”
This passion has extended to her consulting with several local hospitality and tourism industry-based associations over the years, where she provided PR guidance and insight. This includes the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association and the Hunter
Culinary Association.
Over the next few months, Steph will be shadowing our leader and CEO, Clare Ferguson, training and gaining all the great knowledge and years of experience Clare has across all sectors.
Steph originally met Clare through their kids attending the same preschool. It’s funny when life and work align—though never surprising in Newcastle!
“I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in, immersing myself and learning as much as I can”, she says.
“This means getting out there and meeting our clients face to face, chatting to candidates and tapping into the knowledge base here at Verve.”
“We’re excited to have Steph on board, says our Recruitment Manager Bronwyn Gladstone. “She brings maturity, a consultative approach, and the drive, energy, and focus to enhance our existing knowledge, networks and relationships.”
“Her experience and sophistication perfectly align with where we want to position ourselves in the market and the roles that we recruit across construction.”
“With Steph on the team, we’re really going to be tapping into the high-skill top 1% of the candidate market and delivering for our clients.”
Curious, strategic, and driven, Steph is set to build a strong reputation in construction recruitment here in the Hunter.
Whether you’re a business or candidate in the construction space, reach out to Steph today for a chat. If you’re role searching currently, she has a number of great opportunities active in the market at the moment. Give Steph a call today on 0416 129 042!
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