Your next executive role may be taking shape before anyone calls it a vacancy.
An investor has acquired three businesses. Each has its own Finance team, reporting structure and view of the numbers. The investment case depends on bringing them together, but the management team is struggling to get a reliable picture of performance.
There may be no CFO search yet. But there is already a leadership question.
Now consider a CFO who has integrated acquisitions before. An introduction at this point gives the investor someone to discuss the situation with, and the CFO an opportunity to understand where their experience could make a difference. That conversation may eventually develop into a role.
This is what makes the executive market interesting, the business need often exists before the position does.
Over the years in Executive Search, I have learned to pay attention to that gap. Owners and investors are considering their options, responsibilities are still being discussed, and the right conversation can influence what happens next.
It also changes how an executive can approach a career move. Alongside considering existing roles, there is value in identifying businesses facing situations they have successfully navigated before.
That is the thinking behind Inverse Headhunting. Executives engage me to identify those businesses and open relevant conversations with the people who decide, before they know they need them.
The difficult part is understanding where experience becomes relevant, and being specific enough so that someone else recognises it too.
“I’m considering my next move” gives an investor information.
“I’ve brought three Finance functions together after an acquisition” gives them a reason to keep talking.
Get into the conversation before the search begins.
Let’s talk.