Career Ending - Associate Director Drax Executive Employee Review

I've always found the culture to be one of high support, genuine interest in peoples' lives (both professionally and outside of work) and good office spirit where people don't take themselves too seriously. A variety of social events are arranged (which don't revolve around going to the pub) - summer days at the cricket, team lunches, netball team, theatre club etc. Office upgrade has been good - more booths and better meeting room layout (and nice refreshments, Dash water being the best addition!) While the company has grown a lot, I still find everyone's journey is treated individually; I've been able to move across teams and practices to learn new skills, as well as taking a 6 month sabbatical to travel, and welcomed back into the business. The acquisitions the group have made and will make are super exciting and add genuinely differentiated propositions to our business; this is turn makes conversations with candidates and clients alike better as we can talk as true advisors rather than transactional recruiters. We work with interesting and strong brands in the PE market, and given exposure to taking more and more responsibility. The SLT are hands-on, involved in the business and day to day work, which is great for learning opportunities and cohesiveness across the business.

The CRM system needs improving / changing asap

A few talented colleagues doing their best despite the environment. Brand name carries some weight in the private equity market.

Leadership frequently belittles staff, creating a culture of fear and low morale. Consistent blame-shifting from management — accountability is almost non-existent from long-standing colleagues at the top. Commission structure is unclear and inconsistently explained; when questioned, figures are often manipulated to fit a preferred narrative which cannot be achieved. High turnover as a result of the toxic culture and lack of genuine support - you will see a theme of exits, and I encourage you to speak with alumni. Those who leave are openly badmouthed, and redundancies are handled with little empathy or transparency.