Phil Isard
Founding Director and Performance & Growth Director
Go to person for: Consultants, Performance, and Opportunities. Founder of Consultive, with a burning passion both the recruitment industry and the built environment (building, infrastructure, and property sectors).
Starting my recruitment career in 1995 with Bayside Personnel, I thrived in my role, and developed a passion for both the recruitment industry and the built environment (building, infrastructure, and property sectors). I love getting on site and seeing things coming together (I also love helping my son Zac build Lego, I get all the pieces into a sequence and system, and he builds it – would that make me a Project Coordinator?).
In the late 90’s I headed off to London for what started as a 2 year working holiday, which turned into nearly 5 years. Like lots of Aussies that travel, the opportunities can be vast, and for me they were. Continuing in recruitment within the built environment (Anders Elite & Blue Group International), I was given the opportunity to develop and grow (grabbed it with both hands). Upon leaving London I had built, with the assistance of the Managing Director, a Built Environment team of nearly 20 people recruiting across the UK – such a great opportunity and experience, where I learnt from some exceptional industry leaders.
Returning to Melbourne with the skills I learnt in the UK, I started Consultive in October 2003 and haven’t looked back. Right from the outset we had a significant point of difference – connecting businesses in the built environment with the talent that moves, though doesn’t go looking for work. In our view, this is the top talent in the market. Passive candidates who are too busy doing what they do best to go looking for another job. Through our search methodology and our approach, we track and monitor these people, and continue to deliver the best talent for our clients. In turn this has provided great career opportunities for the talent we engage with. Past placements are now Directors, Construction Managers, have their own businesses, or are working for companies on large or complex projects. Whatever the desire or dream, we’re constantly working with our candidates to enable this.
My role now is strategic – I work hard to grow our people, Consultive as an organisation, and provide a culture where people enjoy working at Consultive. I’m heavily invested in coaching, mentoring and continually developing our people to deliver great outcomes for our candidates and clients, and to achieve their own ambitions and dreams.
Since my return to Melbourne, I've spent 9 years in a broader role within the Recruitment industry, being on the Recruitment and Consulting Services Association (RCSA) Vic/Tas Council, including 4 years as Chair. The Vic/Tas Council is the voice of members old and new. For example, the Vic/Tas Council of the past was instrumental for Worksafe WIC, which saves business in the industry millions yearly. Thus, we lobby government on local and Federal issues on behalf of our members, and work with the RCSA national body to continually lift education and learning opportunities for our members.
Away from work I’m the father of 2 boys, 1 girl and husband to Paula. I have lot of interests (somewhat varied) – cycling, running, business & investing, economics, own a 1968 Mustang, triathlons (completed Melbourne Ironman in 2014), travel (over 30 countries at last count), movies (though mainly kids movies these days), and good food and red wine (a Coonawarra Cab Sav is always good, preferably 2008).