When NAFEMS needed a commercially savvy UK-based hire to grow their North American presence, they turned to Membership Bespoke to deliver a complex, high-spec appointment.
NAFEMS is the international not-for-profit association dedicated to engineering simulation. With a global membership spanning industry, academia and research, they set the standards for engineering modelling and analysis, offering training, resources and community for professionals working in simulation-led design and development.
As a truly international body, their work helps shape engineering best practice around the world - supporting innovation, integrity, and professional development in a highly technical field.
This project came to us through a route we always value: a former candidate turned client. We’d placed their Business Development Manager in an earlier search - and when he needed to grow his team, he came straight back to Membership Bespoke. The organisation has strong retention and a thoughtful approach to recruitment - so when the time came to grow their commercial capability, they needed a trusted partner. That kind of relationship speaks volumes about the way we work!
The role was a North American Sales Representative - UK-based but focused on growing NAFEMS’ commercial activity in the US and Canada. It reported directly into our previous placement, and was central to expanding the organisation’s North American footprint.
There were a few non-negotiables: the role was hybrid, based out of the office (Knutsford), working North American hours, and ideally suited to someone with commercial B2B experience, preferably in a membership context. On top of that, NAFEMS wanted someone confident working across the US and Canada. It was always going to be a tight brief, but we knew the right person was out there!
We started with a detailed consultation to shape the person spec and clarify expectations, then launched a targeted search. We were honest from the outset: the right candidate would take time to find, and the client appreciated the need for patience and persistence.
Alongside searching our extensive UK-wide database, we used LinkedIn Recruiter and also advertised the role on our global website - which is where the successful candidate actually came from. They quickly stood out, bringing deep membership experience across engagement, research, data and commercial activity. They had also worked across B2B membership organisations before, understood budget cycles, and had the confidence to take on a role with international scope.
This was a longer process than usual - but from day one, it was handled with honesty, consistency and care on both sides. We kept NAFEMS updated throughout, exploring any potential flexibility as the search developed, and staying close until we landed the right fit.
Ultimately, the hire was a great fit. The candidate brought exactly the kind of insight and experience NAFEMS were looking for and slotted into the team smoothly.
This case was a good example of persistence and partnership. Even with a narrow brief and a complex schedule, we kept the focus on quality and fit - and most importantly, we delivered. For NAFEMS, it was proof that partnering with a sector specialist brings more than just CVs: it’s about insight, perseverance, and getting it right.
“The North American Sales Representative was an important role for NAFEMS. Even though it was based in the UK, the main goal was to help us expand our footprint in the US and Canada. We chose Membership Bespoke for this search because we knew they’d find that special “needle in a haystack” candidate - and they did! Throughout the process, their honesty, clear communication, and consistency made all the difference and led to a fantastic hire for our team."
Tim Morris, Chief Executive, NAFEMS