Optima Partners is an insight-led consultancy firm that helps large consumer businesses to unlock value in their customer bases. Optima delivers transformation towards customer-centricity by combining deep expertise in customer strategy, agile change, and design innovation. All this is underpinned by leading edge data science.
Leading consumer brands including OVO, Lloyds Banking Group, PayPal, BT, HMD Global and Biogen have achieved transformational change and delivered millions of pounds of incremental value thanks to advice and collaborative working with Optima. Unlike more generalist management consulting firms, Optima looks for opportunities to leverage existing technology investments and focuses on making clients self-sufficient in new ways of working and in embedding a culture of continuous improvement. Optima’s 100% client referenceability record is testament to this.
Optima continues to attract the best available talent to its ranks of employees and associates because of its dynamic growth, the interesting work, and the development potential.
A world where businesses create value with their customers and build enduring relationships
Enabling our clients to deliver customer-centric transformations
Historically, Optima Partners has been a long-term partner of large, high-profile clients across a range of sectors. Through this, we have cultivated a strong reputation as customer-centric transformation specialists. As the world adapts to post-pandemic life, B2C businesses have realised the criticality of digital first operations and intelligent consumer value management across channels and business disciplines of Marketing, Sales and Service. This shift in attitudes has led to an increase in demand for the services that we offer.
In response to this and the growth we have achieved in recent years, we are committed to attracting and developing new talent with the goal of providing the best possible resource to meet our client’s expectations. In addition to this, we are making strides to be at the forefront of data sciences globally by employing industry leaders and collaborating closely with leading universities to again provide our clients with the latest and greatest in the world of data science.
Optima Partners are currently undergoing a period of significant growth (50% YoY) and as a result of this we need to increase our market presence and optimise the way we work. In order to achieve this, OP have two key objectives.
1. Increase our client partners and better support existing client relationships
2. Increase and develop our talent pool to meet increasing demand
We would like our successful candidate to be both energetic and enthusiastic whilst possessing great interpersonal skills. Furthermore, the desired individual will be excellent verbal and written communicators, confidently able to work both independently and as part of a team and will be heavily involved in driving the next phase of Optima Partners growth.
We are looking for an exceptional candidate who is looking to join a dynamic company and has experienced exceptional personnel and revenue growth over the last few years.
With this growth we are looking for the right individual who will be able to add real structure to how we manage and develop our people, teams, and culture across the business.
Optima are constantly striving to develop a high-performance team of unique individuals able to work independently or in project squads. To achieve this, the business is looking for someone who can establish the right policies and procedures to complement the culture of a nimble and agile business that embraces a challenger mentality.
You will be responsible for all HR aspects across the company, from recruitment to people management, L&D, supporting with any mental health and Employee Relations issues, all while ensuring that the company values are intrinsic to everyone and guide their behaviours. With this wide brief you will be comfortable managing through an exciting period of change as the business grows.
The role would be based in stunning central Edinburgh offices, with hybrid working an option. You would also be responsible for all HR issues in the other company locations, in London and Bristol.
There is significant potential for professional and personal growth and development – ambition and leadership are valued and encouraged.
Given the growth plans, we are looking for an ambitious candidate who will bring the hands on, sleeves rolled up mentality to make things happen but always with an eye on the wider business strategy and has the potential make the next step up to a Director level as the team/business grows.
On offer is an excellent reward package including generous bonus as well as investment in training and development to ensure all employees can enjoy real professional development. Other benefits which include “duvet days”, gifted Christmas days, the “better me” programme, private health care, plus share options for the senior team.
This is a fantastic role with real scope for the individual to develop as the business continues to grow.
If you’d like more information about this opportunity with Optima Partners, please get in touch with Denholm Associates today.
Haider recently graduated with a degree in Accounting and Finance and has gathered experience in the finance industry through internships and previous jobs. He will be using all the skills he has acquired through his previous experiences to assist the finance department with gathering data and providing analysis that will help the business expand.
Our people are our most important asset, and their mental well-being and happiness are core to our success. We love our diverse workforce, actively embrace flexible working (even pre-pandemic!) and encourage a healthy work-life balance. We have been recognised as one of the most diverse SME workplaces in the UK and are holders of the Scottish Business Pledge which exists to promote a fairer Scotland. We have also just been included in the 2021 Culture Leaders Top 25 – an accolade of which we are very proud!
We are a fully inclusive and nurturing employer and, despite being in tech, the majority of our team are women, leading to accolades in the Computing Magazine Women in IT Awards and the Amazon Growing Business Awards. We currently represent 15 nationalities and speak 20 languages. Age is no barrier, and we recruit for attitude, providing and encouraging appropriate learning and training for each and every role.
We are also proud members of IP Inclusive, a network of professionals working to make the intellectual property industry more diverse.
We’re a passionate and professional team who thrive in issue-rich environment and we’re looking to add a Communication Lead to our fast-growing team. You’ll be a trusted advisor to clients across several sectors in all aspects of communication, external affairs, marketing and issues management. Coming from an agency or consultancy environment, at Account Director level or above, you’ll report directly to the Managing Director and be responsible for a small and busy multi-disciplinary team. You’ll have first-class project management skills, be solutions-driven and excellent commercial acumen too. Alongside the senior team, you’ll work to drive the strategic growth of Aspect.
Your core duties will include:
You’ll be a skilled communicator, interested and knowledgeable about the key issues shaping the external environment. In addition, to be considered for this role, you must be able to demonstrate:
We’re a passionate and professional team who thrive in issue-rich environment and we’re looking for Senior Communication Advisors, Communications Advisors and Communications Executives to join their fast-growing team.
You’ll have previous agency experience at Senior Account Manager or Account Manager level and be passionate about delivering excellent results for clients. You might be a specialist in PR and media relations who produces compelling editorial content across a range of topics and sectors or you might be a public affairs expert who understands the policy landscape and helps clients build influential relationships. Whatever your specialism, you’ll be an excellent writer, full of creative ideas, with proven client management experience and the ability to provide expert advice our clients.
Your key duties will include:
In addition, to be considered for this role, you must be able to demonstrate:
Our aim is to combat illicit online trade by identifying and removing counterfeits for sale. Counterfeits not only damage brands, their reputations, and revenues, but can cause significant harm to the end customer – whether as a fake toy or a fake medicine – and the consequences can be life threatening.
Counterfeiting is a significant economic and social issue.
The OECD reports that counterfeit and fake goods make up more than 3.3% of the world’s global trade. Those involved in the trade of counterfeits have been linked to people trafficking, prostitution, and drug dealing.
As such, reducing illicit trade is about much more than brand protection but also about human rights, safety, and social equity.
And this is what we do, every day.
We deliver purpose-driven work from an extremely welcoming environment near the City Centre. We actively encourage the responsible use of resources, from using public transport to reuse, recycling, and, of course, a minimal impact office environment. We have benefited from the advice of the Energy Saving Trust and Resource Efficient Scotland. Our waste contractor also provides us with a monthly report on volumes and types of material and the carbon emissions avoided through recycling.
Over 80% of our employees can walk or cycle to The Lair and, pre-pandemic, 10% were using public transport as their normal daily commuting mode. Without doubt, online meetings will replace considerable miles, going forward, saving resources, time and energy. Where possible, when possible, the train remains our preferred option.
Zoe joined Denholm in 2022 as Recruitment Administrator, after working in administration roles for nearly a decade. Most recently within the recruitment industry, she joins us with experience of supporting consultants, clients and candidates at all levels. Zoe has a passion for helping people and applies her positive attitude and approachable manner to support our team and deliver the best possible service to our clients and candidates at all times.
As well as working in close collaboration with our clients, and the online marketplaces, we are active members of groups that have been established to combat illicit trade. These include the Scottish Anti-Illicit Trade Group, the European Intellectual Property Office, The Scottish Business Resilience Centre, the Anti-Counterfeiting Group, and the China Britain Business Council. Members of our senior management sit on the boards of ACID (Anti-Copying in Design), the Scottish Ministerial Trade Board, and the European Union Intellectual Property Office’s Observatory Panel for SMEs, amongst others.
Each team member nominates good causes or charities that are supported on both an individual and corporate basis. Wherever possible, we support the employee’s involvement whether through time or fundraising events.
James has a decade of experience within the FMCG sector where he has partnered with a wide range of businesses placing key appointments at all levels including Director/ Board level. Driving growth across our Manufacturing & Engineering function, James specialises in Production, Operations, Engineering, Quality, HSE, Technical, NPD and Supply Chain. With his passion and expertise in these areas, James supports candidates and clients by working closely to understand their needs and wants providing exceptional service.
Andy has been recruiting in Technology, Change & Transformation since 2001. Delivering tailored resource solutions as trusted advisor to clients ranging from start-ups through to global blue-chip organisations across contract, permanent, fixed term, and managed service/statement of work solutions. He has experience providing candidates for Helpdesk through to CIO and takes great pride in providing excellent customer service and ensuring each candidate journey is a positive one. An expert in his market he can provide guidance across current market trends.
Scott started his career working for one of the leading Advertising & Comms agencies in Edinburgh where he spent 7 years before moving in to recruitment in 2011. As such, he is well-networked in the Marketing & Comms space across Scotland. With a friendly and consultative approach, Scott is genuinely passionate about providing a positive journey to both candidates and clients alike and believes communication plays a big part in this. A “thinking-outside-the-box recruiter”, he is known for helping candidates portray the best version of themselves and helping clients find talent for those hard to fill roles.
David started recruitment at the age of 23 and while it isn’t for everyone, it was for David. What he really enjoys is looking beyond the CV and really getting to know the people sitting across the table, learning all about them and building relationships with new people. And that hasn’t changed to this day. David loves solving the puzzle of balancing the needs and wants clients and candidates to reach a point where everyone is happy. Based in Glasgow, he covers the B2B market for sales and marketing roles across Scotland.
Liz has over 14 years’ experience in recruitment working across primarily the high-tech, pharmaceutical and FMCG sectors. She joined Denholm on December 1st 2021 following a relocation from Ireland to focus on Marketing recruitment. Liz’s experience ranges from high volume recruitment to executive search and she prides herself in her ability to fully understand a brief and her accurate matching skills. Frequently praised as being a clear communicator with a strong customer service ethic, Liz is well suited to the culture here at Denholm, where the client and the candidates’ needs are paramount.
Euan has been working in the world of recruitment since 2012, working to deliver bespoke services to both clients and candidates. Prioritising ‘future-fit’ candidates for clients, he works as an extension of his client’s business ensuring great representation in the market. He consults with each client to ensure excellent candidate journeys. Euan works focuses primarily on business analysis, project management and technical support opportunities.
Callum has been working in recruitment since 2018 where he has solely focussed on the Technology, Change and Transformation market across the UK and ROI. He works closely with his clients and candidates to build long-lasting relationships across several industries, including Technology, Financial Services, Professional Services, Healthcare, Education, Public Sector and more. He specialises in engineering roles across Software, Infrastructure, Systems, DevOps and Cloud, along with Software Testing.
Drew arrived at Denholm as an award-winning creative, having headed content strategy teams for marketing/advertising agencies in the UK/USA before a successful career in HR, people and culture. He has years of marketing experience and building teams on both sides of the Atlantic, priding himself on going the extra mile for clients and candidates alike. Drew always works with passion as our specialist in account management, planning and strategy, digital marketing, full-spectrum creative and traffic/studio management.
