Decoded's Embedded Partnership
Embedded recruitment partner for leading EdTech scale-up, helping fill over 125 roles in 18 months across engineering, product, and operations teams.
Key Results
The Challenge
Decoded, a leading EdTech scale-up focused on digital skills training, needed a strategic recruitment partner to support their rapid growth trajectory. With expansion plans across multiple markets and ambitious hiring targets, they required more than just a recruitment agency - they needed an embedded partner.
Key Challenges:
- High Volume: Filling 125+ roles across 18 months
- Diverse Hiring: Engineering, product, sales, operations, and content roles
- Global Expansion: Hiring across UK, US, and APAC regions
- Speed & Quality: Maintaining high hiring standards while moving quickly
- Cultural Consistency: Preserving company culture during rapid scaling
Our Approach
We established an embedded recruitment partnership, acting as an extension of Decoded's internal team with dedicated resources and deep integration into their processes.
Partnership Model
- Dedicated Team: 3 full-time recruiters embedded with Decoded
- Weekly Planning: Regular strategy sessions with leadership team
- Integrated Systems: Direct access to ATS and internal tools
- Cultural Immersion: Regular office presence and team participation
- Continuous Optimization: Ongoing process improvement and feedback loops
Phase 1: Foundation (Months 1-6)
Focus: Engineering and Product Teams
- Hired 35 engineers across full-stack, backend, and frontend roles
- Placed 8 product managers and designers
- Established technical assessment framework
- Built engineering talent pipeline
- Created employer brand materials
Key Achievements:
- 43 successful hires
- Average time-to-hire: 28 days
- 94% offer acceptance rate
Phase 2: Expansion (Months 7-12)
Focus: Sales, Marketing, and Operations
- Recruited 32 sales and business development professionals
- Hired 12 marketing and content specialists
- Placed 8 operations and customer success roles
- Expanded to US market with local hiring
- Developed regional recruitment strategies
Key Achievements:
- 52 successful hires
- Expanded to 3 new markets
- 91% retention rate
Phase 3: Optimization (Months 13-18)
Focus: Leadership and Specialized Roles
- Placed 5 C-level and VP positions
- Hired 15 senior specialists and subject matter experts
- Recruited 10 additional engineers for new product lines
- Supported international expansion hiring
- Implemented diversity and inclusion initiatives
Key Achievements:
- 30 successful hires
- 100% leadership retention
- Improved diversity metrics by 40%
Results
Quantitative Impact
- 125 successful hires across all departments
- 18-month partnership with continuous support
- £425K cost savings compared to traditional agencies
- 93% overall offer acceptance rate
- 92% retention rate at 12-month mark
- Average time-to-hire: 26 days (40% faster than industry average)
Qualitative Outcomes
- Company Growth: Revenue increased 300% during partnership
- Market Leadership: Became #1 EdTech platform in digital skills
- Team Quality: Consistently high performance ratings for new hires
- Cultural Strength: Maintained strong culture scores despite rapid growth
- Employer Brand: Glassdoor rating improved from 3.8 to 4.6
Hiring Breakdown
Engineering & Product (68 hires)
- 35 Software Engineers (Full-stack, Backend, Frontend)
- 15 Product Managers
- 10 Designers (UX/UI, Product Design)
- 8 Data Engineers and Analysts
Sales & Marketing (32 hires)
- 18 Sales Representatives and Account Executives
- 8 Business Development Managers
- 6 Marketing Specialists
Operations & Support (20 hires)
- 8 Customer Success Managers
- 6 Operations Specialists
- 6 Content Creators and Instructors
Leadership & Specialists (5 hires)
- 1 CTO
- 1 VP of Product
- 1 VP of Sales
- 1 Head of Marketing
- 1 Head of People
Client Testimonial
"Sherpa became an integral part of our team. They didn't just fill roles - they helped us build the company. Their embedded approach meant they understood our culture, our needs, and our vision. 125 hires later, we can confidently say they were instrumental in our success."
CEO, Decoded
Partnership Innovations
Embedded Recruiter Model
- Dedicated team members with deep company knowledge
- Regular presence in company offices
- Participation in team meetings and events
- Direct collaboration with hiring managers
Process Excellence
- Custom ATS workflows and automation
- Structured interview frameworks
- Candidate experience optimization
- Data-driven decision making
Employer Branding
- Created compelling job descriptions
- Developed recruitment marketing materials
- Built talent community and pipeline
- Enhanced company presence on hiring platforms
Diversity & Inclusion
- Implemented blind CV screening
- Diverse interview panels
- Inclusive job descriptions
- Targeted outreach to underrepresented groups
Long-term Impact
Two years after partnership began:
- Decoded raised a successful Series C round (£50M)
- Team grew to 200+ employees
- Expanded to 8 international markets
- Launched 5 new product lines
- Became recognized leader in digital skills education
- Maintained 90%+ employee satisfaction scores
Key Success Factors
- True Partnership: Deep integration and collaborative approach
- Cultural Alignment: Thorough understanding of company values
- Process Excellence: Efficient, scalable recruitment systems
- Market Expertise: Deep knowledge of EdTech and tech talent markets
- Continuous Improvement: Regular optimization based on data and feedback
- Long-term Commitment: 18-month partnership with ongoing support
Ready for an embedded recruitment partnership like Decoded? Contact us to discuss your hiring needs.
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