You want greater certainty over recruitment costs
The total recruitment fee and weekly schedule are agreed before the search begins.
Discuss the Fee StructureFLEX FEE RECRUITMENT
A recruitment fee structure should work for your business.
Flex Fee Recruitment offers an alternative way to structure permanent recruitment costs. We will explain how the service works, what is included and whether it is suitable for your vacancy before any recruitment activity begins.
Is Flex Fee Recruitment right for your vacancy?
Flex Fee can be discussed for permanent vacancies where an employer wants to understand and compare the available fee structures before instructing an agency.
You are recruiting one or more permanent roles
Flex Fee can be discussed for each permanent vacancy before recruitment activity begins.
Discuss Permanent RolesYou want to compare fee structures
Review Flex Fee alongside the standard permanent recruitment route before choosing how to proceed.
Compare the OptionsYou would like to understand the available options before instructing an agency
We explain the service, total fee, payment schedule and terms before any search activity begins.
Understand the OptionsHow the Flex Fee payment structure works
The vacancy is recruited as a permanent appointment. The total fee and service are agreed before work begins, then the fee is divided into 12 equal weekly instalments once the successful candidate starts.
The total fee is agreed first.
The total recruitment fee is based on the role and salary and is agreed before recruitment activity begins.
The fee is divided into 12 instalments.
Weekly instalments begin in the successful candidate's first week of direct employment.
Later instalments stop if the employment ends early.
If the candidate leaves before week 12, instalments stop after their final week of employment.
The candidate is employed directly by your business from day one; the agreed recruitment fee is paid in weekly instalments while they remain employed through the 12-week period.
What is included?
Flex Fee uses the same permanent recruitment search and assessment standards. The agreed payment structure changes how the fee is paid after the successful candidate starts; it does not reduce the recruitment service.
Vacancy briefing
We agree the role, responsibilities, salary, working arrangements and appointment priorities.
Market advice
We discuss candidate availability and any part of the brief likely to affect the search.
Candidate attraction and sourcing
We run a permanent search that can include active applicants and relevant passive candidates.
Consultant interviews
Potential candidates are interviewed and assessed against the agreed vacancy brief.
Focused shortlist
You receive relevant candidates with the practical details and consultant observations needed to decide who to meet.
Interview coordination
We coordinate availability, feedback and next steps through the interview process.
Offer support
We support communication around the offer, salary, notice period and agreed start.
Onboarding communication
We stay in contact through resignation, notice period and the agreed start date.
What every Flex Fee shortlist includes
Flex Fee uses the same permanent recruitment standards. We assess the candidate against the role, motivation and practical details before deciding whether they should be introduced.
- Relevant permanent experience reviewed
- Assessed against the agreed role brief
- Motivation for moving discussed
- Salary expectations confirmed
- Notice period and availability confirmed
- Working arrangements discussed
- Long-term practical suitability considered
- Consultant observations provided
You receive a focused permanent shortlist and the agreed Flex Fee payment structure applies only once your chosen candidate begins employment.
What working with Howard James looks like
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Discuss the vacancy
We learn about the role, team, salary, working arrangements and what the appointment must achieve.
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Confirm suitability for Flex Fee
We consider whether the service is suitable for the permanent vacancy before work begins.
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Agree terms and payment structure
We confirm the total fee, full terms and 12 equal weekly instalments before recruitment activity starts.
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Search and assess candidates
We search the permanent market and assess relevant candidates against the agreed brief.
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Present a focused shortlist
You receive candidates whose experience, motivation, expectations and practical suitability have been discussed.
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Support interviews, offer and onboarding
We coordinate the process through interviews, feedback, offer and the agreed start.
The commercial terms are agreed before the search.
Before any recruitment activity, we discuss the role, salary, suitability of Flex Fee, total recruitment fee, 12 equal weekly instalments and the full terms that apply.
- Permanent role and responsibilities
- Salary and benefits
- Working hours and location
- Essential and desirable experience
- Reporting line and team context
- Interview process
- Preferred start date
- Agreed fee and 12-week payment schedule
Recruitment expertise across key sectors
Our consultants recruit across a range of specialist and business-critical functions, combining market knowledge with a practical understanding of each vacancy.
Frequently asked questions
What is Flex Fee Recruitment?
Flex Fee is a permanent recruitment service in which the full recruitment fee is agreed before the search and then divided into 12 equal weekly instalments after the successful candidate starts.
Which vacancies are suitable?
Flex Fee can be discussed for permanent vacancies. Suitability is considered against the individual role and agreed before search activity begins.
How does the payment structure work?
The total recruitment fee is agreed upfront and divided into 12 equal weekly instalments. The instalments begin in the candidate's first week of direct employment with your business.
What is included in the service?
The service includes a permanent recruitment search across the relevant market, candidate assessment, a focused shortlist and support through interviews, offer and start.
When are payments due?
Weekly instalments start in week one of the candidate's employment. If they remain employed, the final instalment is due in week 12.
Are there eligibility conditions?
Flex Fee suitability and the full commercial terms are discussed for the vacancy before any recruitment activity begins. No additional eligibility condition is stated here beyond that prior agreement.
How are candidates assessed?
Candidates are assessed to the same permanent recruitment standards, including relevant experience, motivation, salary expectations, availability and practical suitability for the role.
What happens if the vacancy changes?
We review the revised vacancy with you and confirm whether Flex Fee remains suitable. Any effect on the agreed search, fee or terms is discussed before further recruitment activity continues.
How do we begin?
Start with a conversation about the permanent vacancy. We will explain the service, total fee, weekly schedule and terms before you decide whether Flex Fee is appropriate.
Let us start with a conversation.
You do not need a finished job description or a final salary figure. Tell us what is happening in your business and one of our consultants will call you to discuss the requirement and help you decide the best way forward.
Would you like to understand whether Flex Fee suits your vacancy?
Speak to one of our consultants and we will explain the structure, what is included and whether it is the right option for your recruitment.