New York-based construction consultancy cuts attrition in half by building transparent succession plans and competency frameworks with StaffCircle
April 2025 – StaffCircle Press Release
Group PMX, a high-performing project management consultancy and member of AGC of New York State LLC, has significantly improved its talent retention and succession planning strategy through its adoption of StaffCircle – the UK-founded performance and development platform designed to support employee success at scale.
Faced with the administrative burden of onboarding and offboarding up to 30 employees per year and the risk of losing top talent due to unclear career progression, Group PMX partnered with StaffCircle to introduce a structured, data-driven approach to performance management and employee development. The results have been transformative.
“We’ve cut turnover in half,” said Eddie Cardozo, Director of Technology at Group PMX. “StaffCircle has been a tremendous tool to engage our people, map their development, and align them with long-term company goals.”
From Administrative Chaos to Career Clarity
Before using StaffCircle, Group PMX struggled with fragmented systems, unclear progression paths, and high churn – issues that are common across mid-sized firms without a centralized HR technology stack.
StaffCircle provided the firm with a complete digital platform to standardize job roles, competencies, KPIs, and career advancement opportunities. Accessible via desktop or smartphone, the platform gave every employee their own performance profile and a transparent roadmap for growth.
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Each profile displays:
- Role-specific KPIs and skills
- Current and future competency levels
- Clear timelines and milestones for promotion
- Feedback, reviews, and awards history
With this visibility, managers can easily spot gaps, while employees know exactly what’s required to move to the next level.
“We’re showing interest in them and their growth, so they’re more likely to invest in us,” said Cardozo. “This system reduces the effort and cost of churn by allowing us to promote from within.”
Competency Frameworks that Drive Succession Planning
Central to the StaffCircle implementation at Group PMX was the development of a robust competency framework, allowing the company to map out each role in the organization with defined skills and performance expectations.
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Using StaffCircle’s built-in templates and AI-enhanced configuration, Group PMX built a tiered system of technical and soft skills – from change-order analysis to stakeholder communication. Each skill includes four proficiency levels and is aligned with career milestones.
For instance, a project engineer aiming to become a managing director follows a structured pathway that outlines:
- Required experience
- Tenure benchmarks
- Soft skills mastery
- Development goals and training needs
By digitizing this model, Group PMX created a system that’s scalable, fair, and designed to reduce bias in promotions.
“It levels the playing field,” said Mark Seemann, CEO of StaffCircle. “Every employee now sees the path ahead clearly, and leaders get an unbiased, data-driven view of their talent pipeline.”
Real-Time Insights and Transparent Reviews
Another key benefit cited by Group PMX is StaffCircle’s automated performance tracking, which streamlines review cycles and ensures objectivity.
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The platform tracks KPIs in real time and surfaces engagement data into reports and dashboards accessible to:
- Individual employees (via their mobile app)
- Line managers conducting one-to-ones
- Executives overseeing succession and retention strategy
With this visibility, PMX’s leadership team can identify “single-point dependencies” – roles with no clear successors – and proactively address development gaps.
“It’s reduced our operational risk and given our people confidence in fair evaluations,” added Cardozo.
Empowering Managers and Employees Alike
StaffCircle supports three key user groups within an organization:
- Employees – track their performance, feedback, and personal development goals
- Managers – gain structured tools for coaching and conducting effective 1:1s
- Executives – see a complete, high-level view of workforce capability and risk
This trifecta empowers everyone to play a role in succession planning, with personalized learning journeys, review history, and progress tracking built into every profile.
“It’s a practical implementation of AI in construction,” said Seemann. “We’re not just collecting data – we’re turning it into actionable intelligence.”
The Result: Retention, Readiness, and Reduced Risk
Group PMX’s success story demonstrates how technology can bridge the gap between aspiration and achievement. By clearly defining expectations, tracking performance with data, and offering tailored development plans, the firm has created a workplace where top talent doesn’t just stay—they grow.
“There’s no ambiguity now,” concluded Cardozo. “Skills speak for themselves. StaffCircle helps us promote the right people at the right time, and that’s how we’re building the future of our business.”
Read the Full Story in Constructor Magazine
StaffCircle’s success with Group PMX was recently featured in Constructor Magazine’s March/April 2025 issue under the article Illuminating Career Pathways. You can view the article on Constructor Magazine’s website.
Want to Learn More?
If your organization is ready to modernize its approach to talent management, succession planning, and employee development, get in touch with us today to schedule a personalized demo.
