Case Studies

Case Study: Executive Recruitment in Regional Victoria – Kestrel Aviation

A Partnership Grounded in Purpose

When a leadership appointment shapes the future of a business, the impact is enduring. Five years ago, Galvin-Rowley Executive had the privilege of placing Justin Charlesworth as General Manager at Kestrel Aviation, a pivotal hire that strengthened operations, upheld safety leadership, and helped grow the company’s legacy within aerial emergency services across regional Victoria and Australia.

That appointment marked the beginning of a trusted partnership in the specialist aviation sector. Recently, Kestrel Aviation celebrated its 40th anniversary, a milestone underpinned by public service, technical leadership, and unwavering community trust.

In 2024, the relationship deepened further when Kestrel entrusted Galvin-Rowley Executive with another key mandate: to recruit a new Operations Manager based in regional Victoria. This case study outlines our strategic approach and the outcome that reflects our commitment to precision and alignment in executive recruitment.

The Brief

In early 2024, Kestrel Aviation, renowned for its role in aerial emergency response, engaged Galvin-Rowley Executive to recruit a new Operations Manager. This role would lead and coordinate critical helicopter operations across regional Victoria and beyond, playing a central role in Kestrel’s operational capability and service delivery.

But this was no generic appointment. The successful candidate needed not only deep technical expertise and operational leadership but also the readiness and enthusiasm to embrace a regional lifestyle and integrate into a close-knit, mission-driven environment.

Case Study: Executive Recruitment in Regional Victoria – Kestrel Aviation

The Challenge: Finding the Right Fit

This search extended beyond skills and experience. We sought a candidate with:

Proven operational leadership in high-pressure, safety-critical environments
An understanding of compliance in aviation or emergency services
Personal motivation to live and lead in regional Victoria
The maturity to adapt and thrive in a values-driven organisation
A strong sense of purpose and community alignment

We needed someone at a unique point in their career – experienced, adaptable, and ready to bring both leadership and heart to a regional role.

Our Approach

Structured Evaluation

We began with rigour. Defining the role’s technical scope, qualifications, safety and compliance benchmarks, and industry experience required. This structured process ensured all candidates met a high operational threshold before moving forward.

High-Touch Engagement

Next, we focused on personal alignment. Through in-depth conversations, we explored each candidate’s life stage, motivations, and vision. What did they value in their work? Were they seeking lifestyle change or deeper purpose? Were they prepared and excited to relocate to regional Victoria?

Cultural Alignment

Finally, we worked closely with Kestrel’s executive team to align every aspect of the search with the company’s culture. We assessed not only capability, but mindset, interpersonal style, and leadership values to ensure the right fit for the team and the mission.

The Outcome

The result was the successful placement of an outstanding operations leader – a technically adept, values-driven professional who embraced the opportunity to relocate and contribute meaningfully to Kestrel’s mission. With strong operational credentials and genuine enthusiasm for public service, this individual embodies the alignment we strive for in every search.

This placement reflects our strength in delivering executive recruitment solutions for specialist sectors in regional Australia. It demonstrates our commitment to going beyond CVs – connecting people, purpose, and place.

Local Expertise in Action

Galvin-Rowley Executive in Regional Victoria
With decades of experience recruiting across regional Victoria, Galvin-Rowley Executive understands the distinct requirements of non-metro leadership. From aviation and health to infrastructure and manufacturing, we align each appointment with lifestyle, culture, and strategic impact, ensuring leaders thrive in the environments they serve.

Key Takeaways

Define operational expectations early. Benchmark all technical and compliance needs upfront.
Probe personal alignment. Understand candidate lifestyle goals and relocation readiness.
Collaborate with the client. Deep engagement reveals cultural cues and leadership fit.
Balance expertise and values. Technical acumen matters, but values drive impact.
Leverage regional insight. Local experience enhances candidate confidence and retention.
Prioritise purpose. Especially in emergency services, candidates who seek meaning perform best.

Looking to recruit in regional Victoria?

Galvin-Rowley Executive partners with organisations across specialist and high-stakes sectors to find leaders who deliver. Whether you’re scaling operations, navigating succession, or building capability, we’ll help you secure leadership that aligns with your culture, location, and long-term strategy.

Talk to us about your leadership needs in regional Victoria →

FAQs

How do you find leaders willing to relocate to regional Victoria?

We explore candidates’ life stage, motivations, and values – not just experience. Many professionals are open to regional relocation when presented with meaningful, purpose-driven opportunities.

What industries does Galvin-Rowley Executive serve in regional Victoria?

We’ve recruited across aviation, infrastructure, healthcare, professional services, and not-for-profit sectors – focusing on roles where community and technical leadership intersect.

Do regional roles take longer to fill?

Not necessarily. With the right strategy and communication, we’ve successfully delivered placements within standard executive search timelines, even for complex regional roles.

What if the candidate doesn’t work out?

We stand behind our work. If a placement proves unsuitable, we offer a replacement guarantee per our engagement terms.

What Our Clients Say

I first met Jennifer as a candidate. Having touched most of the major search firms as a candidate for executive roles and experienced first-hand their generally low level of candidate care, I have had no hesitation in recommending Jennifer to colleagues who are searching for a new job, or in using her myself as a preferred provider when in need of HR staff.

Mike Johnson

Former HR Director, SKILLED Group

Jen has really invested in understanding our culture and what attributes to look for to ensure a seamless team-fit. In addition, her definition of quality and high-calibre is the same as ours.
That makes life so much easier, and means we are consistently forced to make tough choices at the end of a relatively short recruitment period.
What else could we ask? Highly professional, and a calmly positive influence on us all.

Russell Parker

CEO, Kikki.K
Former CEO, Hallmark International

Galvin-Rowley Executive is a boutique executive placement agency that delivers above and beyond service with integrity to its clients.
The Director, Jennifer Galvin-Rowley, takes the time to understand her clients’ needs and then searches through her amazing network of contacts to find the right people for the right jobs.
Whilst I was CEO of BeyondBlue, Jennifer and her team were a delight to work with and I wouldn’t go anywhere else if I was looking for a key executive.

Dawn O’Neil, AM

Former CEO, BeyondBlue

For nine months we’d searched in vain for a HSE Manager. This was a difficult project: candidates were scarce, our standards were high, and the role was in the country.
When Jen was referred to us, she stood above the other recruiters for three reasons: she dealt in specialist OH&S Managers; she knew how to fill rural roles; and she didn’t advertise—she searched.
Jen approached the task with imagination. Her ideas were unusual, yet so logical. She handled candidates with promptness and respect, and we swiftly found and hired a great fit. I therefore suggest you let Jen recruit your next manager.

Jim Cooper

CEO, Port of Portland

Over the past decade I have engaged Jenny on a number of occasions to source talent across a variety of roles, specifically in HR. She is excellent in her client management as well as her candidate care.
She is responsive to the more challenging assignments and creates a realistic expectation for both the client and her deliverables. Given the service she has provided each time, I have consistently sought her out as a provider and truly value the relationship.