The Challenge
Our client is a successful and growing company in the multi-family home building and commercial development space. With 30 years of experience, they have developed a winning formula for success. However, with the ongoing and rapid changes in the real estate market, coupled with an evolving strategy of moving into new markets and product offerings, the client saw increasing demands on the finance team.
For starters, the CFO was over-tasked with balancing strategic initiatives, supporting the growth of the business, team leadership, and general accounting oversight. He was stretched to the limit, and not able to focus his time on developing and executing key business strategies.
Secondly, the organization was taking on new equity partners resulting in increased reporting demands. The team was tasked to improve reporting to support both investor requirements and C-suite leaders to better understand and manage their areas of responsibility.
Lastly, the existing finance leadership team had significant tenure with the organization. They were all performing their daily tasks well and delivering on accountabilities. However, they were stretched to find time in their schedules to incorporate added initiatives of assessing efficiencies, streamlining, and implementing process improvements.
With those challenges in mind, the client saw an opportunity to create a new role—SVP, Financial Operations, similar in job scope to a Chief Accounting Officer (CAO). This new role would be externally sourced and sit between the CFO and the functional VP & Director leaders.
The Solution
Having supported this client before by filling past leadership roles, we knew how important culture fit was for the organization. For example, the client encourages open and transparent sharing of information, swift conflict resolution, and continuous professional development. With cultural fit at the forefront, we knew we had to find a like-minded candidate.
The new hire also needed to be handled with sensitivity and diplomacy—ensuring that existing VPs did not feel devalued.
After holding numerous meetings with the hiring team including the CFO, COO and VP of People, we deepened our understanding of the hiring organization’s structure and objectives. We identified the key competencies required of the ideal candidate to determine technical expertise and leadership to ensure a successful placement.
With this information in hand, our team started talent mapping across the country and networking to identify qualified candidates. We also held weekly updates with the client’s key stakeholders—detailing our progress and refining as necessary.
Through this rigorous process of connecting with active and passive candidates, we arrived at a long list of potential candidates. Within seven weeks, a short-list of seven qualified candidates was vetted, presented, and approved by the client. Although there was a clear frontrunner, full due diligence and consideration of numerous potential candidates was critical to making the right hiring decision.
The Outcome
The successful candidate was selected after a series of interviews, including a final round with the CEO. Since joining the team, she has delivered on key initiatives while gaining the trust and respect of the tenured team of VPs who now report directly to her, rather than the CFO.
After two months in the seat, the client shared the following:
“I’m happy with the placed candidate. She has fit in very quickly and has got right up to speed in many areas. She has been proactive and has a good sense of balancing initiative with seeking guidance. Many of her peers and our senior leaders have told me they are impressed with her and believe she is very capable.
For me, she has already made life easier as she’s stepped into both filling the void that I wasn’t taking care of and helping in areas that I was expecting to still manage.
Her manner is professional and friendly, so despite her “get in and get it done” approach, she’s not abrasive.
She’s only been here two months but so far, she is exactly what we needed.“
Our work for placing the candidate didn’t end at the start date. As part of an effective onboarding process, B. Riley Farber continued to support the successful candidate by providing her access to executive coaching sessions—developing her communication, leadership, and executive presence. Additionally, we provided ongoing communication and aftercare to ensure successful integration over the guarantee period and beyond, while endeavoring to maintain an exceptional client and candidate experience.