
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Jessica Willis is a relationship-driven entrepreneur who thrives in the fast-paced world of Executive and Professional Recruitment as a trusted Partner and Consultant with Summit Search Group. Headhunting, for Jess, goes beyond mere job placements—it's a strategic process that fuels business growth while ensuring candidates feel valued, engaged, and inspired in their new roles. With each partnership she forges, Jess's ultimate goal is to make a positive impact on people's lives.
Leveraging her expertise in building strong connections and her deep understanding of organizations, Jessica has emerged as a true partner in recruiting top talent for mid-executive level positions primarily in the Canadian Prairies. Her recipe for success involves skillfully collaborating with individuals, providing valuable coaching to professionals, and intuitively aligning interests for exceptional outcomes. She takes immense pleasure in identifying the environments where individuals truly thrive, making this aspect the most rewarding aspect of her role.
While her expertise spans various industries like tech, finance, insurance, and construction, Jessica's ability to recruit professionals and executives transcends boundaries, encompassing all sectors.
Along with her Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) through the University of Manitoba, Jessica has also achieved the professional designation of Certified Talent Management Professional (CTMP) from the Canadian HR Academy and recognized by CPHR Manitoba.
Outside of her professional achievements, Jess revels in being a proud mom of two firecracker kids she shares with her husband, Chad. She is a travel enthusiast who enjoys exploring new (usually warm) places with friends and family. From gliding down the slopes to golfing under the warm sun, to floating through a vineyard, Jess enjoys these moments outdoors (and bug-free)!
You have quite an impressive resume, how did you find yourself in the role you are currently in now, Partner at Summit Search Group? What was the journey like?
My journey to becoming a Partner at Summit Search Group has been driven by my fascination with powerful stories and the people behind them. After completing my Commerce Degree, I wanted to gain valuable work experience before delving into entrepreneurship. I wasn’t sure what the future could be like, I didn’t have a plan but knew that eventually I would want to carve out a path to ownership. For a while it was my own restaurant (I don’t cook well), or a bakery (I don’t bake well), so you can see why my soul searching continued...
In my first professional work experience, I found my passion for building relationships while working on major advertising campaigns at MTS (the Morty days)! It was no Mad Men, but it felt right to work with so many creative people.
This passion led me to explore the world of home building, design, and architecture when I joined StreetSide Developments, a dynamic condominium builder under Qualico, where I was the Sales and Marketing Manager. Over my nine years with StreetSide, I immersed myself in the complexities of home building, fine-tuned my knack for assembling top-notch sales and marketing teams, and collaborated with an incredible group of people who I constantly was inspired by and learned from.
It was during this time that fate intervened, and I crossed paths with my now-business partner, Matt. The idea of building teams as a career focus was what dreams were made of, and I eagerly embraced the opportunity to join Summit Search Group. Over the past five years, my journey has been a whirlwind of learning about many industries, roles, and potential, allowing me to become a trusted partner to amazing organizations across the Prairies. The most rewarding aspect of my role is witnessing remarkable candidates on their soul-searching journeys in their careers and helping them secure incredible opportunities. As a "marketer of people and opportunities," I consider myself fortunate to occupy this seat, making a positive impact on both individuals and businesses.
You recruit for a lot of talented and skilled individuals and companies, do you negotiate on their behalf? What are the top considerations you make during these negotiations?
As a corporate matchmaker for organizations, my primary goal is to support candidates in their growth and development while finding opportunities that align perfectly with their aspirations. Transparency is key for me throughout the process, ensuring that both the organization and the candidate find a mutually beneficial fit.
When it comes to negotiations, I want all parties to leverage my deep understanding of market values for various roles and the associated total rewards. Advocating on behalf of candidates is essential, and I strive to present them with honesty and integrity, making sure they are represented in the best possible light.
In the end, successful negotiations are about finding that sweet spot where both the candidate and the company feel excited about the match. It's all about creating a win-win situation that leads to long-lasting and fulfilling partnerships.
In a Forbes article from 2021, titled Why Women Fall Short In Negotiations, they concluded that backlash for adopting an aggressive stance in negotiation was the cause for disparity between men and women in their outcomes. Do you believe that women and men have different experiences and outcomes at the negotiation table? Have you ever experienced this in your role?
In my line of work, I've noticed that there can be some differences in how women and men handle negotiations and their results at the table. Societal ‘norms’ and expectations can come into play, making things a bit tricky. As a woman, I personally have faced challenges when seen as too assertive, leading to potential backlash which was disappointing.
I've come across situations where gender-related factors seemed to impact negotiation experiences as well. Women sometimes approach negotiations cautiously, considering how they might be perceived, while men tend to be more direct and assertive with their desires.
It's crucial to acknowledge these differences and strive for a level playing field where everyone, no matter their gender, feels confident and empowered in negotiations. My goal in every negotiation that I’m representing someone is to foster open conversations and create a supportive environment so that negotiation outcomes are based on skills and qualifications, not gender-related assumptions.
Working with difficult people is unfortunately a reality for many businesses these days, what steps do you take to protect your boundaries both personally and professionally?
Dealing with challenging people has become a reality in today's business world, and protecting my boundaries both personally and professionally I have discovered is crucial to protect your time and energy. I’ll be honest, I struggle with both; I’m a work in progress. Here are two key areas that I’ve been focusing on:
The Power of No: Overcommitting is my biggest hurdle. I enjoy being in control of my workload and not missing a beat and have a tendency to take on too much. However, I've learned the importance of being honest about my time and resources. Sometimes, that means saying no to great opportunities. My focus is on giving 100% in everything I do. That said, with the learning opportunities from my fellow house mates (shout out to the Woolf House!), if it's not an immediate hell yes, then it's likely a heck no.
Organization of Time: Time blocking has been a lifesaver for me both professionally and personally. Managing multiple clients and candidates can get overwhelming, so I use various apps and tools to stay organized. My calendar is my go-to. I carve out specific blocks for work and dedicate afternoons to handle administrative tasks when my energy might dip a bit. Fridays are usually reserved for updating companies and candidates on our progress, build next weeks to do list (both personal and work-wise) which feels like a natural way to wrap up the week. Personally, we have a family calendar, so we see the week in advance, know when we need support, and carve out some quieter downtime.
When it comes time to make an important decision for your clients, or for yourself, what does that process look like for you?
When the time comes to make an important decision, whether it's for my clients or myself, my process revolves around thoroughness.
It begins with a phase of discovery, where I immerse myself in understanding all the relevant facts and details of the situation. During this stage, I strive to maintain objectivity and distance myself from emotional biases that might cloud my judgment (I feel all the feels, so this is important). To achieve a well-rounded perspective, I try to listen to all viewpoints and gather insights from various sources. This may involve actively seeking out different perspectives or conducting extensive research to ensure I have a comprehensive understanding of the matter at hand.
Once I have collected the necessary information, my next step is to present my findings and insights in a manner that is easily understandable and relevant to the audience involved. This involves effective communication, breaking down complex information into digestible portions, and ensuring that everyone understands the reasons behind the recommendations or choices being considered. However, the decision-making process does not end there. I believe it is essential to actively seek feedback and input from those affected by the decision. Valuing the opinions of others helps to identify potential blind spots or considerations that may have been overlooked during the discovery phase.
As a consultant, I understand that my role is not to impose decisions on others but rather to facilitate their decision-making process. I strive to empower individuals with the necessary information and insights to arrive at their own well-informed choices.
Comments