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Kristan De Sousa, Director for Queensland will lead the opening of the Brisbane office of Six Degrees Executive in 2017.
We asked her a few questions about the expansion and she gives her advice on those looking to make the same lifestyle change.
Why has Six Degrees decided to open an office in Brisbane?
Six Degrees have always serviced the Queensland market through our Sydney office, which has been very successful to date. Although, as the demand for our services has increased we knew we could deliver a superior quality service to our clients and candidates by having people on the ground. A presence in Brisbane will also allow us to service a greater portion of the Queensland market, including expanding our existing services for national clients. Our clients continue to express a need for an executive specialist providing innovative talent solutions to service FMCG, consumer, retail, industrial B2B and the manufacturing sectors.
What are your key focuses in leading the Brisbane office?
Pre-launch, our priority will be to focus on talent. We have a strong network in Queensland that we currently don’t service as well as those in Victoria and NSW.
Post the February launch we will replicate the model we have in Victoria and NSW through our functional specialisations in marketing, digital, sales, retail, supply chain, procurement and engineering.
What value do you think this venture is going to bring the Six Degrees team?
Greater cross functional career opportunities. I have been provided with amazing opportunities at Six Degrees throughout the nine years that I have been with the company. I commenced my career as a Contracting Consultant in Supply Chain and Engineering and have progressed through various management roles across the business. Most recently, accepting the opportunity as Director for Queensland.
As an equity partner of Six Degrees, we know that the development of our existing staff is crucial to the success of our business. Not only for our consultants but for our internal support teams in finance, marketing and HR as well as the Executive Search Division and Talent Consulting Division. The greater the reach, the greater the opportunities for our current team members and the greater opportunity for the Six Degrees family to grow.
Having grown up in Queensland, are you and your family excited to move back to your home state?
We can’t wait. It feels like I’m going home. My husband, being born and raised in Melbourne, is super excited about the change of climate. He’s very laid back and will fit so well into the Queensland culture. It’s such a friendly culture that is relationship driven and thus fits us very well. We are also excited for the opportunity it presents for our children’s lifestyle.
If you had advice to anyone looking to move to Brisbane for their career, what would it be?
It’s a life changing decision so, do your homework. Queensland is such a different lifestyle and culture to Melbourne, it is very outdoors focused and laid back.
Brisbane is a smaller market in comparison to Melbourne and Sydney, however it is growing and this presents great opportunities. Having just come back from some time up there, I couldn’t believe how much it’s grown since I lived there several years ago.
The other advice I would give is that Brisbane is a relationship driven environment and people want to work with those they know and trust. Building long term relationships with clients and talent and treating them with respect is crucial.
What opportunities does this offer recruiters up in Queensland?
Our current tag line is “Life is short, work somewhere awesome!”. Six Degrees truly is an awesome place to work. We value our people by focusing on their personal career development and goals by understanding their needs. We have a structured learning and development program, financially support further education, an Employee Assistance Program, a day off for your birthday and family friendly flexible working hours and the ability to purchase additional annual leave.
In addition, we offer a health and wellness program, including the provision of a weekly personal training session, and regular meditation. We hold regular events to celebrate both individual and team success, and quarterly and annual awards to recognise team members who consistently exhibit our values and contribute broadly to the business.
Six Degrees champions mental health through our long-standing corporate partnership with beyondblue and provides employees each year with the ability to undertake a paid day of community service.
We are not only offering the opportunity to work somewhere awesome but to live somewhere awesome too! We are so excited to expand our Six Degrees family to Queensland.
Contact Kristan De Sousa on 03 8613 3508 for more information about Six Degrees’ venture to Queensland.
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