Recruitment Services Built Around Your Hiring Need
Whether you need a permanent hire, temporary cover, a contracted specialist or a senior leader — we have a service designed for it. Including Flex Fee, our newest way to hire.
Our services
Six ways we can help you hire
The right service depends on the role, the timescale, and what your business needs right now. Each service has a dedicated page with full detail — click through to find out more.
Permanent Recruitment
Full end-to-end search for permanent hires across all levels. We reach active and passive candidates — not just those on job boards — and manage the process through to placement.
Find out more →Temporary Staffing
Pre-screened temporary staff available at short notice. Ideal for absence cover, seasonal demand, project resource or business transitions. We handle payroll and employment admin.
Find out more → NewFlex Fee Recruitment
The same full permanent search — including passive candidates — with the fee spread equally over 12 weeks. If the hire doesn't work out, payments stop. You only pay for the time they worked.
Find out more →Contract Recruitment
Experienced professionals for fixed-term projects, specialist assignments or roles where a permanent hire isn't the right answer yet. Delivered quickly without compromising on quality.
Find out more →Executive Search
Targeted, confidential searches for director, C-suite and senior specialist positions. Senior hiring requires a different approach — we run a dedicated headhunt rather than a standard search.
Find out more →Recruitment Process Outsourcing
For businesses with ongoing or high-volume hiring needs. We operate as an extension of your internal team — managing sourcing, screening and coordination at scale.
Find out more →Find the right fit
Not sure which service is right?
Use this as a quick guide — or call us and we'll advise you directly before you commit to anything.
I need a long-term hire
Full permanent search with candidate reach across the whole market — active and passive.
Permanent Recruitment →I want to spread the fee
Permanent search quality with the fee split over 12 weeks — payments stop if the hire doesn't work out.
Flex Fee →I need cover quickly
Pre-screened temps available at short notice — we handle the employment admin.
Temporary Staffing →I have a specific project
Fixed-term professionals for defined work without a long-term commitment.
Contract Recruitment →I'm hiring a senior leader
Confidential headhunt for director, C-suite or specialist senior positions.
Executive Search →I have ongoing hiring needs
Scalable recruitment support operating as an extension of your internal team.
RPO →Why Howard James
What we do differently
A few things that consistently make the difference to the quality of hire our clients end up with.
We reach passive candidates
The strongest candidates are usually employed. We approach them directly — something job boards simply can't do.
Sector specialists
Our consultants recruit within defined disciplines — deeper networks, sharper market knowledge, better placements.
Honest advice upfront
We'll tell you what the market looks like and what it will take to hire well — before we start the search.
Speed without shortcuts
Initial shortlists within 5–10 working days for most permanent roles. Temps often available within 24–48 hours.
We stay involved
We don't disappear at offer stage. We stay in contact through notice periods and the first weeks of employment.
UK-wide coverage
Offices in Manchester, Birmingham, London and throughout Cheshire — national reach with local market knowledge.
Sectors we cover
Specialist recruitment across 12 disciplines
Our consultants recruit within defined sectors — not across everything at once. That focus means stronger candidate networks and better placements.
Ready to start hiring?
Submit a vacancy and we'll be in touch within one working day to discuss your requirement.
Quick Reference · At a Glance
| Who provides these services | Howard James Recruitment — a UK specialist recruitment agency covering commercial, finance, HR, operations, sales and administrative roles. |
| Services available | Permanent Recruitment, Temporary Staffing, Flex Fee, Contract Recruitment, Executive Search, RPO |
| What is Flex Fee | A new service where the recruitment fee is spread over 12 equal weekly instalments. Payments stop if the candidate leaves before 12 weeks — you only pay for the time they were employed. |
| Candidate reach | Active and passive candidates — including professionals not on job boards who need to be approached directly. |
| Sectors covered | Finance, HR, Sales, IT, Engineering, Marketing, Cyber Security, Supply Chain, Property & Construction, Business Support, Facilities Management, Insurance & Financial Services. |
| Typical timescale | Initial shortlist within 5–10 working days for most permanent roles. Temporary candidates often available within 24–48 hours. |
| Coverage | UK-wide. Offices in Manchester, Birmingham, London and throughout Cheshire and the North West. |
| Get started | Submit a vacancy → |