Ana Maria Despa

As a Recruitment Team Manager for the Engineering Division, I lead and develop recruitment strategies for complex engineering roles, covering industries such as Automotive, Manufacturing, Energy, Construction, and High-Tech. My role encompasses both middle and top management positions, ensuring end-to-end recruitment solutions and strong stakeholder management. Key Responsibilities: • Leadership and Team Management: - Leading a specialized recruitment team focused on technical profiles, ensuring skill development and optimizing performance in selection processes. - Setting priorities and effectively managing project volumes to meet recruitment objectives and strict deadlines. • Strategy and Planning: - Analyzing client business needs and designing tailored recruitment strategies aligned with industry specifics. - Assessing market data and providing strategic consultancy to implement recruitment plans that match business demand and talent availability. - Implementing Brand Ambassador initiatives to enhance company visibility and attract top engineering talent. • Consultancy and Mediation: - Identifying and recommending alternative talent pools that are traditionally underrepresented, bringing added value to clients. - Facilitating clear communication and mediating discussions between clients and candidates to align expectations and negotiate optimal conditions for both parties. • Monitoring and Optimization: - Overseeing the full recruitment process—from profile analysis and sourcing to interviews and final selection. - Monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) and adapting recruitment strategies to enhance efficiency and quality of placements.

As a Recruitment Consultant specializing in Engineering roles, I have been driving end-to-end recruitment processes for technical white-collar positions, ranging from mid-level specialists to top management roles. My focus has been on identifying top Engineering talent, assessing technical competencies, and matching them to strategic opportunities within our client portfolio. Key Responsibilities: • Conducting the full-cycle recruitment process: sourcing, selecting, testing, and interviewing candidates for diverse engineering roles, including senior and top management positions. • Preparing detailed evaluation reports and recommendations for final-stage candidates, ensuring alignment with client expectations and role specifications. • Acting as a trusted intermediary between clients and candidates, ensuring transparent communication and smooth negotiation processes. • Building and maintaining a strong professional network, participating in client meetings, and negotiating terms to optimize recruitment success. • Preparing and analyzing recruitment dashboards, offering insights and strategic recommendations to enhance recruitment processes. • Regularly updating the internal database, ensuring real-time accuracy and streamlined candidate tracking. Achievements: • Successfully placed highly specialized engineering profiles in critical roles, directly contributing to the organizational growth of our clients. • Played a key role in expanding the Engineering vertical, strengthening Manpower's footprint in the technical recruitment market. • Recognized for excellent client relationships, providing consultative support to hiring managers and decision-makers in strategic workforce planning.

• Act as a strategic partner to the General Manager, ensuring alignment of team activities with organizational goals. • Lead coordination of key initiatives, providing proactive follow-up on critical actions to support strategic objectives. • Prepare and submit detailed reports to the director and other executives to inform decision-making. • Ensure strict compliance with regulations and internal policies, fostering operational efficiency. • Build and maintain strong relationships with national and international partners to support business growth. • Contribute to the organization’s strategic expansion and promotion efforts, working closely with the General Manager. • Led the sourcing and first-phase recruitment process to build the architect team, ensuring alignment with organizational needs and enhancing team capabilities.

PhD. studies Centre for Baltic and East European Studies (CBEES) -Södertörn University Stockholm • Conducted in-depth research on Romanian-Norwegian bilateral relations contributing to the development of knowledge in Scandinavian and East European Studies. • Designed and executed original academic studies, analyzed data, and published findings in peer-reviewed journals and academic conferences. • Collaborated with a diverse team of international researchers, participating in cross-border research initiatives and academic collaborations.

• Take ownership of administrative responsibilities related to ensuring compliance with Romanian laws and regulations. • Prepare and manage the legal documentation required to obtain operating licenses and other necessary authorizations from the Romanian Ministry of Health and Social Insurance System. • Coordinate with relevant authorities to ensure timely processing and approval of legal documents, ensuring seamless business operations.