Project RPO: A Game-Changer for Business Growth

In a talent market that won’t stand still, project-based recruitment is emerging as a smart choice for companies aiming to source top talent with precision. Here’s how Project RPO can give your organisation a competitive edge in today’s unpredictable hiring market, whether you’re a startup or a large enterprise.

What is Project RPO?

What’s the difference between traditional and Project RPO? The short answer is: the timeframe. Traditional RPO involves fully embedded partnerships that typically span two to three years. But what if you have urgent hiring demands or need specialised talent for short-term projects of three to 12 months? That’s where Project RPO comes in—bringing you the main benefits of traditional RPO, like improved hiring performance and reduced hiring costs, quickly and efficiently.

“If your organisation is not exploring project RPO right now, you're most likely behind in your talent strategy” notes Chad Creamer, Page Outsourcing’s Senior Executive Operations Director, Americas.

Let’s take a closer look at why so many companies are turning to Project RPO in North America and globally, then consider five proven benefits that Project RPO can bring to your business.

What are the advantages of a flexible hiring approach?

The uncertain hiring landscape of the last few years hasn’t just affected candidates but also talent acquisition professionals. Many companies have laid off significant numbers within their TA teams. Understandably, they are reluctant to hire full-time employees again if the demand isn’t long-term or they aren’t showing sustainable growth.

Project RPO, as a flexible recruitment solution with a quick turnaround that can be deployed whenever the need arises, is filling that gap.

However, there are also positive reasons for the popularity of Project RPO. Market expansion within the U.S. and abroad is another factor driving this uptake. U.S. manufacturers are opening new plants, many of which are in remote geographic areas, and need to staff them with a specific number of employees by a certain deadline. At the same time, some organisations are moving shared service centres from the U.S. to Latin America or other regions. Beyond their immediate staffing needs, these companies often look to Project RPO providers to help create synergies between their global teams.

With technology adding another layer of complexity to hiring, it isn’t just large organisations that are using Project RPO. Startups are turning to RPO providers for advice on their technology needs, including choosing and implementing recruitment infrastructure. Companies may also find that their internal teams lack knowledge of the range of tech roles in the dynamic tech hiring market.

Chad Creamer cites Page Outsourcing’s work with New York-based luxury fashion firm Tapestry as an example. “The initial ask was to fill 100 tech roles over five months,” he recalls. However, the company quickly realized they had neither the capacity nor the experience to handle the required diverse roles. “They partnered with us for our expertise and ability to scale rapidly.”

The result? With over 100 IT roles filled fast and a recruitment partner culturally aligned with their business, Tapestry extended the contract to other work areas. In addition to recruitment across the organisation, Page Outsourcing has helped Tapestry update its interview process to be more candidate-friendly and achieve its diversity and inclusion goals. Read the full case study here.

How Project RPO can help your business 

Project RPO offers several distinct advantages:

• Ability to scale quickly and flexibly. Whether launching a product, opening a new plant, or expanding your business, Project RPO allows you to hit the ground running. It’s also useful for seasonal hiring and new graduate recruitment.
• Access to specialised talent. An RPO provider’s cross-industry expertise allows you to tap into highly specific recruitment knowledge without maintaining it in-house.
• Technology advice. RPO providers like Page Outsourcing can make recommendations about technology needs and help with implementation, which is particularly valuable if you’re a startup or a growing company. “This creates efficiencies not just for the immediate project but also leaves you better equipped for future hiring needs,” explains Valerie Gresky, Business Development Director at Page Outsourcing. 
• Cost efficiencies. Cost savings come from several angles. You’re not paying for a full-time talent acquisition team, and you also cut down on the costs of sourcing and hiring candidates. Plus, with Project RPO, you can streamline efforts across your teams, reducing overlap and boosting efficiency.
• Better use of your existing recruitment resources. Project RPO teams can handle the more administrative aspects of your recruitment processes, freeing up your best recruiters to focus on high-value tasks such as candidate engagement and hiring manager relationships. This additional support often also leads to a better candidate experience and, because your internal team is not overburdened, improved morale.

Considerations for implementation

Here are some key considerations to help you decide if Project RPO is the right solution for you.

• Does our organisation have a short-term need or a long-term need?
• What’s the capacity of our internal team? Can they absorb the work once the project is over?
• Are our systems and security protocols ready for an outsourcing project team?
• Will the RPO provider be able to align with our company values and brand?

Choosing the right Project RPO partner

At Page Outsourcing, we ensure success by combining dedicated project management, industry-specific expertise, and the best sourcing talent. We collaborate closely with you to understand your unique goals, timelines, and needs, providing you with a detailed checklist of considerations before we begin, plus a tailored project plan that ensures successful execution. With regular milestone reports, you gain full visibility into our progress, so you can be confident that your project is being handled by experts.

“People often ask which industries benefit most from Project RPO. Page Outsourcing’s clients span various sectors, including energy, manufacturing, financial services, technology, commerce, consumer goods, and even business process outsourcing,” says Chad Creamer.

The bottom line? Project RPO is fast becoming a crucial element of a successful talent acquisition strategy, no matter which industry your business operates in. Don’t miss out. Speak with a Page Outsourcing expert today to discover how Project RPO can help you achieve your hiring goals.