How DMC Recruitment supported Blackwell with a specialized structural restoration engineer search

Blackwell is a Toronto based structural engineering firm established in 1987. The firm delivers innovative structural solutions across a wide range of project types, with services spanning design, documentation, contract administration, site visits, assessments, feasibility studies, peer reviews, and specialized building technology work.

In 2024, Blackwell expanded its restoration and rehabilitation expertise through the acquisition of Ojdrovic Engineering, a firm known for its work in structural rehabilitation and heritage building retrofit.

As that area of the business continued to grow, Blackwell needed to add specialized talent to support the team.

The Challenge

Blackwell was looking for a structural restoration engineer.

This was a highly specific role. The right person needed experience in structural engineering, restoration, heritage buildings, existing building assessments, and projects where new structural work connects with older buildings.

Blackwell had already tried to find the right person. The team had a strong restoration leader in place, but that leader was also busy carrying a full project load. They needed another person with the right expertise to support the growing restoration practice.

The DMC Approach

Tiffiny Yaxley had already worked with Blackwell and had previously placed a structural engineer with the firm. That existing relationship gave DMC a clear understanding of the company, its work, and the type of candidate who would fit.

For this search, Tiffiny looked beyond standard job postings and active applicants. She reached into her engineering network and connected with people who understood the structural restoration market.

One conversation became the key to the search.

Tiffiny spoke with an engineer who had the right industry knowledge but was not ready to make a move. Instead of ending the conversation there, she kept it open.

That candidate referred her to someone he had worked with previously in Ontario. The referred candidate was living in New Zealand at the time and planning to return to Toronto. He had the exact structural restoration background Blackwell needed.

That referral opened a door that standard search channels had not.

“Tiffiny initially reached out to me about the Restoration Engineer role, however, I was not ready to make the move at the time. My brief experience with Tiffiny was unlike other experiences I’ve had with recruiters. She was not overly pushy once I expressed I wasn’t interested in a move. Instead, she understood my situation and explained their referral program in case I had any connections that may be interested. Fortunately, Peter also reached out to me around the same time expressing that he was open to new opportunities upon his return to Canada. Peter and I had previously worked together for a few years in the field and I knew that he would be a great candidate, so I connected both parties and the rest fell into place.”

Referrer

Why It Worked

This search showed the value of a strong recruitment network.

The successful candidate was not easily visible through standard sourcing. He was overseas, outside the obvious local talent pool, and unlikely to apply through a job posting.

The connection happened because of trust.

Tiffiny had built enough credibility in the market that someone who was not looking for a new role still felt comfortable referring someone from their professional network. That relationship gave Blackwell access to talent they may not have reached on their own.

For a niche role, that made the difference.

The Result

DMC successfully placed a structural restoration engineer with Blackwell.

The hire added capacity to a specialized part of Blackwell’s business and helped support the firm’s continued growth following the Ojdrovic Engineering acquisition.

For Blackwell, the result was more than a filled role. It was a hire that strengthened the team in an area where the right talent is hard to find.

For DMC, it was a clear example of how focused search, industry knowledge, and trusted relationships can solve difficult hiring challenges.

Continuing the Relationship

DMC’s relationship with Blackwell continues to be built on trust, communication, and an understanding of the firm’s needs.

Blackwell may not require recruitment support for every hire, but when a role is specialized, hard to reach, or critical to the business, DMC can step in with a focused search strategy.

“This was a role we had been looking to fill for some time, and we were committed to finding the right fit. Having worked with Tiffiny once before, I knew it would be good to have her involved in the search. She took the time to understand exactly what we were looking for and used her network to help us find the right person. The process was smooth from start to finish, and it’s been really great having Peter on the team.”

Taryn Levy, Blackwell

Recruiter Spotlight

Tiffiny Yaxley, Sr. Recruitment Consultant – Recrutement DMC