Challenge
Before implementing its partner vendor model, departments within MIT would independently engage their own staffing firms to fill necessary roles. At times, procurement would learn of new vendors only after invoices had arrived. Not surprisingly, this approach created challenges:
- Cost Inconsistencies: The absence of a negotiated rate card across the institution often led to MIT paying more than necessary
- Internal Inefficiencies: Procurement teams were constantly faced with onboarding new vendors, often after an invoice had already been submitted
- Bottlenecks: Departments often faced bottlenecks due to only having access to a single vendor, as each department would engage these partnerships independently
- Vetting Challenges: No consistent way to ensure that temps were properly vetted (e.g., background checks, necessary certifications) or maintain visibility into the people coming onto campus
MIT did not want to rely on a single staffing vendor. They wanted sufficient vendor choice to handle their departments’ diverse needs and maintain their high standards of excellence and desired efficiency. This resulted in establishing a “partner vendor” model, with ProPivotal as one of the first vendors to engage under that partnership.
Solution
MIT implemented a consolidated staffing program with multiple partner vendors – as opposed to a single mandatory provider. Operating within that framework, ProPivotal engaged in a dedicated, relationship-driven approach.
First, we embedded our own people within specific MIT departments, which enabled us to understand the local cultures and requirements, and match ideal candidates who were genuinely interested in and suited for the higher-education environment.
By working with ProPivotal, MIT was also able to have consistent compliance practices baked into their staffing model. This significantly reduced the costs of the program, as well as the administrative burden of managing incoming employees.
Outcomes
Over the past 22 years, ProPivotal has placed 6,000 temporary and temp-to-hire assignments within MIT’s various departments, labs, and centers in the areas of Administrative, Operations, Accounting/Finance, Marcom, and HR.
The total benefits of the program, however, goes well beyond quantitative numbers. For instance, we have helped MIT achieve better candidate alignment, not just in terms of practical skills and qualifications, but also in culture fit. Additionally, the consistency of our screening and vetting processes reduced MIT’s administrative burden and enabled greater efficiencies among their teams.
Over time, ProPivotal became the go-to-channel for candidates who specifically wanted to work in higher education, which helped MIT gain access to people who aligned with its mission. The result was a staffing model that reduced procurement friction, improved compliance and cost control, and delivered better-fit talent, without sacrificing the flexibility departments needed to move quickly.
Learn about how ProPivotal can build staffing programs tailored to your specific needs here.
Outcomes
22+
years
of partnership
6,000
temporary and
temp-to-hire
assignments placed