About Alayna Smyth
My Specialist Area
I am a higher education specialist search consultant that solely focuses on placing Human Resources experts into the Higher Education Sector. I have supported leadership appointments such as Chief People Officer, Human Resources Director and Head of HR across the permanent, FTC and day rate contract markets. Alongside generalist posts, my key specialist areas are organisational development, EDI, employee relations, human resource systems, rewards and HR change transformation.
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My Recruitment Style
My approach is customer centric aiming to deliver the best result for both candidates and clients.
Something about myself
I was born in South Africa and love to travel. I went to University of Exeter and have a degree in Psychology. I’ve also got a jet-black cat called chicken.
Alayna Smyth’s Testimonials
A delight to work with
Alayna has excellent interpersonal skills, is extremely professional and manages clients to a very high standard. A delight to work with Alayna who has such high standards.
A True Blessing and Guiding Light - Burman Recruitment
I cannot thank Alayna enough for her incredible support and guidance during one of the most challenging times in my life. After my contract came to an end in my previous job, I was devastated and uncertain about my future. However, Alayna stepped in like a beacon of hope, guiding me through the entire process of securing an HR role at the University of Buckingham. From the very beginning, she w...
I cannot thank Alayna enough for her incredible support and guidance during one of the most challenging times in my life. After my contract came to an end in my previous job, I was devastated and uncertain about my future. However, Alayna stepped in like a beacon of hope, guiding me through the entire process of securing an HR role at the University of Buckingham.
From the very beginning, she was more than just a recruiter—she was a mentor, a cheerleader, and a constant source of positivity. Alayna kept me updated every step of the way, ensuring I always felt informed and confident. Her dedication and personal touch made me feel that I was not just a candidate to her, but someone she truly cared about helping.
The way she supported me during this journey was truly remarkable. It felt like she was heaven-sent, a true answer to my prayers. Thanks to her unwavering encouragement and expertise, I not only landed the role but also regained my confidence and hope for the future.
If you're fortunate enough to work with Alayna, know that you're in the best possible hands. She’s not just outstanding at her job—she’s a genuinely wonderful person who goes above and beyond to make a real difference.
Thank you, Alayna, for everything.
Date of experience: 02 December 2024
Above and beyond
Alayna is an exceptional Recruitment Consultant who went above and beyond to make sure that I was well informed throughout every stage of the recruitment process. She has regularly kept in touch throughout my contract to ensure that everything was going smoothly. I have thoroughly enjoyed my role, and would welcome the opportunity to work with Alayna again in the future. Highly recommended....
Alayna is an exceptional Recruitment Consultant who went above and beyond to make sure that I was well informed throughout every stage of the recruitment process. She has regularly kept in touch throughout my contract to ensure that everything was going smoothly. I have thoroughly enjoyed my role, and would welcome the opportunity to work with Alayna again in the future. Highly recommended.
Alayna is an absolute delight to work with
Alayna is an absolute delight to work with. Extremely professional, understood what I was looking for wrt to my next interim assignment. Always available & provided efficient updates & feedback. Would highly recommend checking her out if you are looking for your next role or trying to recruit. She’s great at what she does….she gets to know you!
Alayna is an outstanding Recruitment Consultant
Alayna is a great professional to work with. Her experience and expertise have helped recruit some of the best talents on our team. Alayna is an outstanding Recruitment Consultant, detail-oriented and exceptionally effective at that job. All went very smoothly, Alayna kept us informed throughout the process, and her assistance was invaluable. I would highly recommend working with Alayna....
Alayna is a great professional to work with. Her experience and expertise have helped recruit some of the best talents on our team. Alayna is an outstanding Recruitment Consultant, detail-oriented and exceptionally effective at that job. All went very smoothly, Alayna kept us informed throughout the process, and her assistance was invaluable. I would highly recommend working with Alayna.
Alayna is the most proactive and considerate ally
Alayna is the most proactive and considerate ally when she represents you, whether you are looking for a candidate or on the candidate journey yourself. Keeping you informed, even if just to let you know nothing's changed. As a candidate Alayna ensures you are well prepared, both mentally and emotionally. I cannot recommend her enough - from both sides of the recruitment experience!!...
Alayna is the most proactive and considerate ally when she represents you, whether you are looking for a candidate or on the candidate journey yourself. Keeping you informed, even if just to let you know nothing's changed. As a candidate Alayna ensures you are well prepared, both mentally and emotionally. I cannot recommend her enough - from both sides of the recruitment experience!!
Alayna was professional and friendly
Only had contact with Alayna Smith very recently. We had a great introductory telephone meeting and she quickly put me forward for two roles, had interviews for both and was offered one. Alayna was professional and friendly throughout without being at all pushy, definitely an asset to Burman and I highly recommend them.
Alayna went above and beyond
Alayna headhunted me for a role I have now secured and am due to start in a week! From the first call to texting me to say congratulations, Alayna has been professional, approachable, supportive, reliable, articulate and taken time to understand who I am as a candidate, how my experience aligned to the role and provided outstanding coaching ahead of my interviews. Alayna went above and beyond and...
Alayna headhunted me for a role I have now secured and am due to start in a week! From the first call to texting me to say congratulations, Alayna has been professional, approachable, supportive, reliable, articulate and taken time to understand who I am as a candidate, how my experience aligned to the role and provided outstanding coaching ahead of my interviews.
Alayna went above and beyond and I would recommend her and Burman Recruitment to candidates and organisational alike.
Always friendly and helpful
Alayna stands out amongst the modern recruiter in that she always updates you at every step of the process. Always friendly and helpful.
Dedication and interest
Alayna has been instrumental in finding me a number of contracts and has sought and negotiated various working patterns to suit my needs. She has kept in regular contact throughout the contract periods asking how things are progressing and whether I was happy in teh role and whether there is anything she can help with. This is the first time I have experienced such dedication and interest from a ...
Alayna has been instrumental in finding me a number of contracts and has sought and negotiated various working patterns to suit my needs. She has kept in regular contact throughout the contract periods asking how things are progressing and whether I was happy in teh role and whether there is anything she can help with. This is the first time I have experienced such dedication and interest from a recruitment consultant and would definitely recommend her to others.
Genuinely interested in your development
From start to finish, Alayna managed my case professionally and constantly kept me updated with any new developments. She understood what I was looking for and if I was right for the role/if the role was right for me. There's plenty of Recruitment Consultants out there, but if you're looking for someone that has an actual great understanding of the HE sector and is genuinely interested in your dev...
From start to finish, Alayna managed my case professionally and constantly kept me updated with any new developments. She understood what I was looking for and if I was right for the role/if the role was right for me. There's plenty of Recruitment Consultants out there, but if you're looking for someone that has an actual great understanding of the HE sector and is genuinely interested in your development, then Alayna is your person!
Highly professional
Basically Alayna got me into my fabulous new role. From sourcing me, encouraging and supporting me though the process. Throughout Alayna was highly professional for her clients but kept me informed with progress. I’d highly recommend her work. Thanks Alayna.
I cannot recommend her high enough.
I had a fantastic candidate experience working with Alayna. Excellent communications at all times. I cannot recommend her high enough.
I felt like I had an ally by my side
Alayna helped me to secure the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Manager role. Throughout the entire process, I felt like I had an ally by my side. Alayna went above and beyond to set me up for success at every stage of this recruitment process - including clearly explaining the interview process to me, taking the time to give constructive and considered feedback on my interview presentation, and...
Alayna helped me to secure the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Manager role. Throughout the entire process, I felt like I had an ally by my side. Alayna went above and beyond to set me up for success at every stage of this recruitment process - including clearly explaining the interview process to me, taking the time to give constructive and considered feedback on my interview presentation, and using her knowledge and expertise to help me prepare me for some commonly asked interview questions. I was also impressed at Alayna's reliability and promptness which made me feel like I was a priority and that she genuinely wanted to help me secure this position.
This was my first time working with a Recruitment Consultant, and it's been both a good and a bad thing. Good because I now know the quality and standard to expect from Recruitment Consultants, which is also a bad thing because the standard that Alayna has set will be very hard to find elsewhere! Because of this, Alayna will be my first point of call for any future positions I'm interested in, and I will (and have already!) recommended her to my connections across the HE sector (particularly those working in EDI or HR) who are interested in new opportunities. This is because I was so impressed by her professionalism, allyship, and expertise.
Made all the difference!
Alayna Smith- made all the difference in being such a professional recruiter. She always got back to me, gives me accurate information and feedback- weather successful or not- makes all the difference in how we candidates- who may be clients one day views the org. Well done on the great Customer/client service- a personal thx to Alayna for that. And... the BURMAN BOX! was a TREAT! And such a nice ...
Alayna Smith- made all the difference in being such a professional recruiter. She always got back to me, gives me accurate information and feedback- weather successful or not- makes all the difference in how we candidates- who may be clients one day views the org. Well done on the great Customer/client service- a personal thx to Alayna for that. And... the BURMAN BOX! was a TREAT! And such a nice touch - very unexpected and an appreciated welcome. As a professional interim I've NEVER had a THANK YOU given to me from an agency - you are a first- keep setting a high standard. Thank you!
No hesitation in recommending Alayna
Alayna worked with me to fill a fixed term HRIS Management position. The candidate we selected has proved an invaluable member of the team and Alayna was very supportive throughout the recruitment process. I would have no hesitation in recommending Alayna to support this type of recruitment for other prospective clients.
The most proactive and considerate ally
Alayna is the most proactive and considerate ally when she represents you, whether you are looking for a candidate or on the candidate journey yourself. Keeping you informed, even if just to let you know nothing's changed. As a candidate Alayna ensures you are well prepared, both mentally and emotionally. I cannot recommend her enough - from both sides of the recruitment experience!!...
Alayna is the most proactive and considerate ally when she represents you, whether you are looking for a candidate or on the candidate journey yourself. Keeping you informed, even if just to let you know nothing's changed. As a candidate Alayna ensures you are well prepared, both mentally and emotionally. I cannot recommend her enough - from both sides of the recruitment experience!!
Truly a supportive experience
I had an amazing experience with Burman Recruitment, mediated by Alayna Smyth. Alayna went above and beyond during my selection, interview and recruitment to the University. Throughout the whole process, Alayna was available to answer all my questions with patience and kindness, and was able to provide me bespoke support and guidance in preparation for my job interview. Her support was instrume...
I had an amazing experience with Burman Recruitment, mediated by Alayna Smyth.
Alayna went above and beyond during my selection, interview and recruitment to the University. Throughout the whole process, Alayna was available to answer all my questions with patience and kindness, and was able to provide me bespoke support and guidance in preparation for my job interview. Her support was instrumental in making me me feel more confident and ultimately securing a fantastic job offer.
Her assistance did not end then. She was very diligent in her support during my contract negotiations and has been in touch even after I have been in post. All and all, this was truly a supportive experience. I would highly recommend working with Burman Recruitment, and with Alayna Smith in particular.