HR: Human Recruiters - Mary Mullin

At Collins McNicholas, we take pride in our people. Our dedicated team are on hand to help our clients every day and we’d like you to meet them. In this new series, Human Resources - Human Recruiters, we chat to the person behind the recruiter and tell their stories.

First up is Mary Mullin, Collins McNicholas Associate Director for Leinster. Mary talks about her career, getting into the recruitment industry, her evolving role with Collins McNicholas and her life outside work, as she celebrates more than ten years of service with us.

Mary joined the Collins McNicholas team in 2015, bringing with her an in-depth knowledge of the Dublin and wider Leinster market, having worked in the capital for a number of years. Before this, Mary completed a Diploma in HR Management at Technological University of the Shannon in Athlone, upon graduating, she caught the travel bug and explored Europe, first studying French part-time while working as an au pair in Luxembourg. She then worked within the European Union in Brussels for several years in interim contract roles, moving between different departments and administrative functions. The experience offered a fascinating insight into the scale and complexity of such a vast organisation before she eventually returned home to Ireland, with Dublin as her first stop.

Unsure of her next career move, Mary was introduced to the recruitment market for the first time while searching for work. She met with recruitment consultants in person to discuss job openings and opportunities, seeing first-hand the care and attention they took with her, which left a lasting impression. The importance of these experiences, forming human connections and building relationships, was something that stayed with her throughout her career.

After a period of time in Dublin, Mary and her family decided to move closer to her hometown in 2015, allowing her to take up the role at Collins McNicholas in the Midlands. With her background in Sales, HR and client relationship management, she settled in right away, using her expertise and market knowledge to lead and develop her team of 12. This central location allows her to work closer to home while also being in an accessible location to service the Dublin, Leinster and wider eastern region.

When the opportunity to join Collins McNicholas arose, my family and I decided it was something we were ready for. It meant moving back to our home in the Midlands and starting a new chapter for us. Our office location offers us the opportunity to connect with clients and colleagues right across the Leinster region and that is crucial as we want to continue to grow our presence there.

Mary and her team build strong and lasting relationships with clients, helping them to attract and retain the best talent while ensuring a smooth and effective recruitment process from start to finish. The shift towards hybrid working and virtual meetings has also made it easier than ever to collaborate with clients across the country.

Throughout her decade-long service with Collins McNicholas to date, Mary’s role has significantly evolved. She ensures the team has the tools, training and support needed to deliver expert services across the business. She encourages a strong work culture with an emphasis on collaboration and excellent communication. She also has first-hand experience in training and development programmes, having recently completed a degree in Business Studies, returning to Technological University of the Shannon, balancing her demanding work schedule with her studies. Mary places a strong emphasis on supporting her staff to continue to upskill and grow professionally, providing them the opportunity and flexibility to balance their studies alongside their day-to-day work.

For us, communication is key. A strong communication strategy with clients is an essential part of delivering long-term value. It’s important we’re connecting the right people with the right clients and vice versa. To help us do that, we need to understand our clients, their candidates and both sides’ expectations. We ensure our team is provided with relevant training and development opportunities to help them continue to provide a best-in-class service to the region across a number of sectors.

Outside of work, Mary is a keen sports enthusiast. She is an active member of her local CrossFit gym and tennis club, where she competes regularly in competitions. She also enjoys long walks with her beloved dogs. Mary also looks back fondly on her days in Brussels, especially her time with the local Rugby Club which gave her an opportunity to meet fellow expats from around the world while taking part in competitive sport. Staying active is important to Mary and she brings the same energy and team spirit from the sports field into her professional life.

I love all kinds of sport, it keeps me re-energised and reminds me how teamwork and perseverance make a difference, both on and off the field. I think it’s good to keep an active lifestyle outside of work and it can be a good way of taking your mind off it while also giving you an opportunity to think. Being part of a club really helps to build connections and relationships outside of work and I think this is key to maintaining a strong work-life balance. Whether it was during my time in Brussels or now at my tennis club, connecting with people in the community is important and that’s what sport has taught me.

Mary is also a keen traveller. As well as her time in Europe, visiting long-haul destinations like Asia, Australia and South Africa has allowed her to develop an appreciation and understanding for different cultures and ways of thinking; experiences that continue to influence her approach to both life and work. "Travel is an important part of my life. I love exploring the world and getting to understand different cultures and different perspectives. I try not to go to the same place twice as I’m curious and like to experience new places. I’ve been to many places so far and I have much more on my bucket list." says Mary.

Mary Mullin - Associate Director in the Midlands and Dublin

Looking ahead, Mary is focused on continuing to grow Collins McNicholas’ presence in Dublin and the wider eastern region. This includes expanding the team, increasing market share and supporting key sectors such as Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals, Engineering, Technology and Green Energy. The firm’s focus on sustainability and green recruitment is also an exciting area of development for Mary, providing talent for the renewable energy, environmental sustainability and clean technology sectors.