Breaking the Mold: Redefining Leadership in Construction

The Client

Our client, a highly respected family-owned construction firm headquartered on the west coast, is a leader in the industry with a reputation for delivering high-quality, award-winning design-build projects. The company’s success is deeply rooted in its people, whose dedication to teamwork, integrity, and excellence has set it apart in the competitive construction landscape. Their commitment to hiring the best talent is central to their ongoing success and industry leadership.

The Challenge

Boyden was engaged by the client’s Board and CEO to recruit a leader for a newly established #2 role within the company, a position crucial for driving future success. The candidate needed to be an innovative thinker with a deep understanding of the construction industry and building technology. Equally important was the ability to work within a long-established organizational structure, ensuring that the company’s tradition of excellence continued while evolving to meet future industry challenges.

The Solution

Following extensive discussions and on-site visits with key leaders, Boyden developed a detailed set of competencies that defined the ideal candidate. This “map” guided the search, ensuring alignment with the client’s goals. Boyden crafted a strong and diverse slate of candidates, facilitated the interview process, and created a comprehensive interview guide in collaboration with the client and their HR leader. The interviews were conducted with a focus on consistency and rigor, comparing both qualitative and quantitative data, combined with soft skills analysis and leadership insights. Ultimately, the client hired a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience in commercial construction, engineering, and general management. The appointment was not only a significant step forward but also ensured the client had the best leader to drive their future success.

The Results

Boyden’s leadership consulting expertise provided significant value throughout the hiring process, leveraging tools for onboarding, integration, and leadership development. Now, more than four years later, the chosen leader has made a substantial impact, strengthening the operational structure and driving business success. Boyden’s agile, boutique approach allows us to craft custom solutions tailored to our clients’ needs, leading to a trusted partnership with this client and multiple senior-level search engagements in the years following the initial placement.