Meet James Stevenson

Managing Director – Engineering

022 3171 208 | jstevenson@gradarecruitment.com

James Stevenson is the Managing Director of Grada Recruitment. As one of New Zealand’s leading engineering recruitment consultants, James brings professionalism, approachability, and a deep understanding of the industry to his role. With over 12 years of experience, he combines his expertise with a passion for helping businesses and candidates succeed.

Outside of work, James enjoys spending time with his three young children, and makes the most of any opportunity to get outdoors, whether it’s skiing, fishing, golf, running, tennis, or watching a good game of rugby or cricket.

James's Background and Experience

Originally from a farm in the South Island, James holds a Bachelor of Physical Education and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Otago University. His global journey included playing semi-professional rugby in the UK, before discovering his passion for recruitment. It was over a few beers with James Brownlee that the idea for Grada Recruitment was born. In the 7.5 years since, the company has grown into a major force in the market, recently winning “Best Medium Agency” at the 2023 RCSA Awards.

One of James’ standout career highlights was placing an engineer who went on to design the hotel next to Grada’s future office, a tangible contribution he finds incredibly rewarding.

James's Key to Success

James wears many hats at Grada Recruitment; leader, mentor, strategist, and recruiter. His day-to-day is a fast-paced mix of hands-on recruitment, guiding teams across engineering, surveying, and civil construction, and overseeing the company’s marketing, operations, finance, and strategic direction. No two days are the same, and that’s exactly how he likes it.
At the core of everything James does is a people-first approach. He thrives on building genuine industry relationships, fostering a culture of achievement and collaboration, and watching his team grow and succeed. Whether he’s helping a client secure top talent, mentoring his team, or celebrating a big win, James is always pushing Grada forward—toward his ultimate goal of making it New Zealand’s leading recruitment agency.