A growing CleanTech company was looking to appoint a Vice President – Finance to strengthen its finance leadership team.
The position required more than strong financial expertise. The company needed a senior professional with relevant industry exposure, leadership experience, and the ability to understand the financial complexities of the energy sector.
However, finding the right candidate at this level presented a challenge.
Senior Finance leaders with the required experience are not always actively exploring new opportunities. Many suitable professionals are already leading finance functions and may not respond to conventional job advertisements.
A traditional recruitment approach focused primarily on incoming applications would have limited the search to candidates already visible in the job market.
The company needed a more focused approach to identify and engage the right leadership talent.
The Approach: A Targeted Executive Search Strategy
Corenza adopted a targeted executive search approach rather than relying solely on applications from active job seekers.
Our search process focused on identifying senior Finance professionals across relevant industries, with particular attention to their leadership experience and exposure to energy-related businesses.
The approach involved three key steps:
1. Mapping the Relevant Talent Market
We identified potential Finance leaders with relevant industry backgrounds and senior-level experience. The search extended beyond professionals actively seeking new opportunities.
2. Identifying Relevant Leadership Experience
We assessed potential candidates based on their finance leadership exposure, industry understanding, professional background, and suitability for the VP – Finance position.
3. Reaching Out to Relevant Professionals
Rather than waiting for applications, we proactively approached suitable senior Finance professionals and explored their interest in the opportunity.
This enabled us to access a wider talent pool and engage professionals who might not have considered the opportunity through conventional recruitment channels.
The Outcome: Successful Closure of the VP – Finance Position
The targeted search successfully led to the identification and hiring of a senior Finance leader from the energy sector.
The position was successfully closed, with the selected professional bringing relevant industry experience to the CleanTech company.
The outcome demonstrated how a focused executive search strategy can help organisations access leadership talent beyond the conventional candidate pool.
Key Takeaway: Senior Finance Hiring Requires More Than Job Advertisements
Hiring for senior Finance positions is fundamentally different from filling conventional vacancies.
At the leadership level, relevant professionals may already be employed, managing critical business responsibilities, and not actively looking for a career move.
This makes talent mapping, industry understanding, targeted outreach, and leadership assessment important elements of the hiring process.
For organisations seeking CFOs, VPs of Finance, Finance Directors, and other senior Finance leaders, the right hiring strategy often begins before a vacancy reaches the job market.
At Corenza, we help organisations identify and engage experienced Finance leaders through focused executive search and targeted talent mapping.
Sometimes, the right leader isn't waiting for an opportunity. You need to know where to find them.
