case study

RAPIDLY SCALING DISASTER RELIEF OPERATIONS FOR A GLOBAL ENGINEERING FIRM

When disaster relief efforts surged across the U.S., a leading global engineering firm needed to quickly expand its back-office operations to support government-funded programs and secure timely reimbursement. Building on a strong partnership established in 2021, Atrium provided high-quality talent at scale, enabling the organization to effectively support disaster response initiatives nationwide.

the challenge

A leading global engineering and consulting firm was supporting government-funded disaster relief efforts across the U.S., including major responses to East Coast hurricanes and West Coast wildfires between 2024 and 2026. While successful in securing these large-scale contracts, the operational demands created significant pressure on the organization’s back-office operations.

To receive timely reimbursement for disaster-related work, the company needed to quickly expand administrative and accounting support across functions such as accounts payable, invoicing, travel coordination, and general administration. Hiring demand fluctuated daily, with many roles requiring candidates to start within 24 – 48 hours.

At the same time, the organization required professionals who could operate effectively with minimal onboarding while navigating high-pressure, time-sensitive conditions. Previous staffing partners had struggled to consistently meet both the speed and quality required, which put operational continuity and reimbursement timelines at risk.

Case Study: Rapidly Scaling Disaster Relief Operations for a Global Engineering Firm

Company Size: 10,000+

Industry: Civil Engineering

Footprint: National, USA

Services Provided: Project-Based Talent Solutions

Partner Since: 2021

the solution

Atrium’s partnership with the firm began in 2021 in support of a federally funded Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Our recruiting team successfully placed 25 quality control reviewers, which improved completion rates and stabilized performance after challenges with earlier vendors. This engagement established trust with the client and demonstrated our ability to deliver skilled talent in highly regulated, deadline-driven environments.

Following this initial success, we continued to support the company with project-based and ongoing roles, including accounts payable clerks and staff accountants. This consistent collaboration gave us a strong understanding of our client’s operations and allowed us to integrate seamlessly into their workflows as hiring needs evolved.

When disaster relief activity intensified between 2024 to 2026, Atrium responded immediately by implementing a scalable recruiting model designed to accommodate fluctuating demand while maintaining consistency and candidate quality. We maintained an active pipeline of pre-vetted talent and simplified the interview and onboarding process to support faster starts.

Our team also supported a flexible workforce strategy with a mix of temporary and temp to hire placements. This helped our client balance short-term surges with long-term needs. To ensure seamless integration, our recruiters aligned closely with our client’s internal operations, working within their timekeeping systems, adapting invoicing workflows, and maintaining real-time communication through Microsoft Teams.

the results

During periods of heightened disaster response activity, Atrium placed a total of 35 finance, accounting, and administrative professionals. This enabled our client to rapidly scale back-office operations and support multiple government-funded initiatives without disruption.

The partnership improved invoicing and reimbursement processes while providing the flexibility needed to respond to fluctuating staffing demands. Many high-performing professionals were converted into full-time employees, which strengthened the firm’s internal workforce and improved readiness for future disaster response efforts.

AT A GLANCE

Challenge:

– Unpredictable, high-volume hiring driven by disaster relief contracts

– Immediate need for administrative and accounting support to meet invoicing and reimbursement requirements

– Roles often requiring 24–48-hour turnaround and next-day starts

– Inconsistent results from prior staffing providers, creating operational risk

Benefits:

– Established trusted partnership in 2021 with 25 successful quality control reviewers

– 35 placements supporting large-scale disaster relief programs (2024–2026)

– Enabled rapid, flexible workforce scaling amid fluctuating demand

– Supported accurate invoicing and timely reimbursement

– Converted top-performing contractors into full-time employees

– Selected as an exclusive recruiting partner in a key market

As a result of consistent delivery and strong operational alignment, we were selected as the exclusive recruitment partner in one of the company’s key markets, reinforcing our position as a trusted, long-term talent partner.

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