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Here we speak with Brandon Poyner, Director of TA at Everfield. Everfield is a European powerhouse that buys, builds, and scales SaaS companies, with a growing portfolio of logos under its umbrella.
Brandon’s role is as unique as the business itself—working centrally across Everfield’s portfolio to provide both strategic and operational recruitment support. We’ll explore the key takeaways from our conversation, including how Brandon and his team gain buy-in from stakeholders, deepen their understanding of the businesses they represent, and navigate the ever-evolving talent market.
Brandon’s career journey is a testament to adaptability and focus. Starting as a recruiter in Japan for a UK-based agency, he transitioned to building and scaling in-house TA teams for tech companies experiencing rapid growth.
“I’ve been working at companies growing at over 30% year on year, which means lots of recruitment in the digital and tech space,” Brandon shared.
This foundation prepared him for his current role at Everfield, where he leads a team managing TA across 18 SaaS companies, with plans to expand the portfolio to over 20 by year-end.
Unlike traditional VC firms, Everfield’s long-term investment strategy translates into a deeper involvement in its portfolio companies.
“We’ve got skin in the game. We’re owners, so we act and think differently,” Brandon explained. His team balances strategic advising with hands-on recruitment support, wearing both hats to drive success.
This dual approach sets Everfield apart, creating opportunities for its TA managers to partner directly with CEOs and managing directors of small to mid-sized businesses—many without internal TA teams.
Starting as a one-person team in 2023, Brandon scaled Everfield’s TA function to six people within a year. Each TA manager oversees a regional portfolio, delivering tailored support while contributing to strategic initiatives like the rollout of Ashby, their new ATS.
“Our TA managers are full 360. They manage the entire hiring lifecycle, work on projects, and wear the strategic hat,” Brandon emphasized.
This decentralized yet connected model enables Everfield to offer:
Implementing new systems across diverse companies is no small feat. Brandon’s team carefully managed the adoption of Ashby by aligning stakeholders and tailoring communication to each portfolio company.
“We spent a lot of time talking to them about the value of the ATS, ensuring they understood how it adds value and fits into their workflow,” he noted.
This focus on alignment extended beyond tools to processes, with structured interview frameworks and job scoping assistance adding significant value to the companies they support.
Reflecting on the current hiring climate, Brandon highlighted the hesitancy among candidates to change jobs amidst macroeconomic uncertainty.
“People want to move but are staying put until they feel more confident about the market,” he observed.
To counter this, Everfield focuses on personalizing outreach and showcasing its growth trajectory to build candidate trust. Their ambitious plans—expanding to 100 portfolio companies by 2027—are a compelling draw.
For those stepping into leadership roles in TA, Brandon’s advice is clear:
“Seek out advice from senior business leaders outside HR or TA. Align your strategies with their perspectives to ensure they resonate across the business,” he shared.
This collaborative approach ensures that TA strategies align with broader business goals and gain executive buy-in.
Brandon’s conversation with Chris and Adriano underscores the evolving demands on TA teams in a landscape defined by rapid growth and shifting priorities. His leadership at Everfield demonstrates how combining strategy, hands-on support, and data-driven insights can create a scalable, impactful TA function.
For more insights, you can connect with Brandon on LinkedIn and stay updated with Everfield’s journey as they redefine talent acquisition in the SaaS space.
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