KeyBank, a leading regional bank based in Cleveland, Ohio, needed to optimize how it used external recruiting firms. Hiring managers often independently engaged these firms, resulting in uncontrolled spending and a lack of visibility into their hiring efforts. This decentralized approach prevented KeyBank from strategically managing recruitment, tracking spending, and ensuring compliance. In addition, the ebbs and flows of hiring needs, particularly during peak periods, made it difficult for its internal talent acquisition team to keep pace. This further highlighted the need for a cost-effective solution that improved oversight and control of external recruitment.

To address these challenges, KeyBank partnered with Aquent Scout. The Aquent Scout platform provided a flexible, cost-controlled solution, enabling KeyBank to strategically manage costs by setting price points for roles based on urgency and impact. Over time, as recruitment needs evolved, KeyBank supplemented its internal Talent Acquisition Team with the platform's on-demand recruiters, scaling seamlessly for peak hiring periods without adding permanent staff. To maximize the platform's value, Aquent Scout also provided enhanced training and support, empowering KeyBank to integrate the solution into its existing operational model.

This strategic partnership led to significant improvements in KeyBank's external hiring processes. By using the centralized platform to fill hundreds of diverse roles, KeyBank gained greater visibility into its recruiting spend and improved cost controls. This enhanced oversight enabled its internal talent acquisition team to better manage external hiring activities. The platform's on-demand scalability allowed KeyBank to quickly adjust to fluctuating hiring needs. Furthermore, consolidating invoicing through Aquent Scout simplified compliance and streamlined vendor management.