Having a positive impact on someone’s life

Helping a candidate secure their dream job or land their first role in an industry they’ve worked and studied so hard to enter is what drives Courtney Duross, VP, Programme Delivery at Skills Alliance Enterprise. We interviewed her to find out why she joined Skills Alliance Enterprise and why she stays!

What initially attracted you to Skills Alliance Enterprise and what was the deciding factor in your decision to join?

Having begun my recruitment career in 2011 with a boutique Contract Research Organisation (CRO), I quickly discovered my passion for the Life Sciences industry. When I was approached by Skills Alliance Enterprise, I was initially drawn to their strong dedication to the space and their commitment to addressing market gaps through tailored workforce solutions. However, as I met the team during the interview process, it became clear that our people and culture were what truly set us apart. I knew then that this was the place where I could work hard to make a meaningful impact, all while enjoying the journey with a great team!

What aspects of your role do you find most rewarding, and how do they align with your personal or professional goals?

There are many reasons why people choose a career in recruiting, but for me, the most rewarding aspect is knowing that I can truly impact someone’s life- whether that means helping them secure their dream job or land their first role in an industry they’ve worked and studied so hard to enter.  Listening to a candidate cry happy tears and express their gratitude when they’ve just landed an amazing new opportunity is always a powerful reminder of my “why.”  As a leader, I’m fortunate to also share in the excitement when my team celebrates their own candidate success stories.

I also take great pride in partnering with our clients to design tailored solutions that meet their unique hiring needs, whether through a Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) or Managed Service Provider (MSP) programme. There’s nothing more fulfilling than hearing a client say, “This is the first time we’ve hired on our timeline and within our budget in our company’s history.”

These aspects of my role align with my personal and professional goals of making a meaningful impact- whether that’s by positively changing someone’s career trajectory or contributing to a company’s long-term success.  Professionally, this drives me to continually refine our strategies and improve our recruitment process, ensuring both candidates and clients achieve their ideal outcomes.

What keeps you motivated and engaged at work, and what role does the company culture play in that?

My team! I have the privilege of leading an incredibly talented and dynamic group of professionals here at Skills Alliance Enterprise. Every day we come together with a shared purpose- to create positive candidate experiences and ensure our clients’ satisfaction. The culture here at Skills fosters collaboration and a results-driven mindset, where successes are celebrated, challenges are met with support, and team members are empowered to stay motivated while maintaining their commitment to making high-quality hires.

How has the company supported your professional development, and what future opportunities are you excited about?

Skills Alliance Enterprise has supported my professional development as VP of Programme Delivery by entrusting me with the autonomy to lead my team and make the strategic decisions for not only our Enterprise team, but also the RPO & MSP programmes in which we lead. I have the freedom to implement best practices, tailor our recruitment approach and advise our clients on expert hiring guidance. This level of trust has allowed me to refine my leadership skills, drive results and continuously grow in my role.

I am so excited for the growth we have planned here at Skills Alliance Enterprise, the programmes that we will bring on board, and our clients who will advance their missions to bring novel treatments to their patients through our partnerships.