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Executive Partners

Onboarding a New C-Suite Executive

2 min read
How Ariel’s Executive Partner Program helped a new VP of HR navigate and strategize for a newly created C–Suite position.

The Client

A private American supplier of hardware, tools, raw materials, and maintenance equipment materials with over 100 years in the industry. Distributes over 550,000 products through direct mail and online e-commerce, serving the maintenance, operations, and repair parts needs of manufacturing companies.

The Challenge

The company needed a partner and coach for a newly promoted HR executive. The executive had previous experience as a General Manager at a large company but had limited direct HR and C-level experience. The company needed to accelerate her learning and implement a new HR agenda.

The Solution

Our Executive Partner, a former F100 CHRO who advanced to the CHRO role from prior non-HR roles, provided one-on–one mentoring through a trusted relationship with the new VP of People & Development to identify, build, and strengthen key focus areas including:

  • Become a more effective leader of Human Resources coming from an operational background
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive, new people agenda in support of the company’s new business strategy
  • Engage the organization to successfully align behind the new People Strategy
  • Balance the persistent demands for time, both professionally and personally, at this new C-level

The Outcome

The new VP of People & Development moved quickly into her new role – a new role within the company – to effectively manage transformative change within the organization.

Notable Executive Partner impacts:

  • Helped VP to leverage key internal relationships, identify critical paths, overcome critical obstacles, and successfully align resources to positively drive the necessary change
  • Assisted VP in adopting a strong outcome focus to frame strategic direction, planning, and tactical meeting frameworks
  • From concept to reality, helped VP to develop and launch new People Strategy to top 200 company leaders. Executive Partner was invited to attend the kick-off meeting
  • Supported VP to align executive leadership team, including founder approval, behind the new People Strategy and Communication Plan
  • Helped VP to assess the structure, talent, and operating mechanisms needed from the HR function
  • Worked with VP to develop and sharpen a development plan to support the implementation of the People Strategy
  • The success of this first Executive Partner engagement has led to additional Executive Partner engagements at this company
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Ariel Group

Ariel develops powerful and authentic communication skills to drive better performance for leaders and their teams. Whether you need to develop your next generation of leaders, connect global teams, build trusted relationships, or keep your workforce engaged and motivated, Ariel can tackle your most pressing business challenges. We ensure that everyone, from senior leaders to early career professionals, can write, speak, present, and build trusted relationships with every interaction.