Recruits staff planner (9)
I believe the answer is:
draftsman
'planner' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'recruits staff' is the wordplay.
'recruits' becomes 'drafts' (drafting is a kind of recruiting).
'staff' becomes 'man' (as in staffing or manning a particular place).
'drafts'+'man'='DRAFTSMAN'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for draftsman that I've seen is " One who draws up legal documents".)