Challenge
A rapidly growing provider of specialized engineering services faced a critical challenge: finding a private equity-qualified CFO to lead its next phase of growth. The company’s original head of finance had stepped down just as the business was unifying under a single platform. The private equity firm’s replacement—hired without deep sector knowledge—lasted only three weeks. This left the CEO without a financial partner, and the only internal option, a well-meaning controller, lacked the experience to step up.
The business was evolving quickly. After losing momentum under an unremarkable CEO, the PE firm was growing anxious about realizing returns. But the newly appointed CEO wasn’t standing still—he was actively sourcing and integrating small engineering firms, driving a bold vision for market leadership.
What was needed was more than a CFO. This was about finding a strategic partner who could build scalable financial systems, integrate acquisitions, and serve as a counterweight to the CEO—someone who could translate ambition into sustainable growth. The CEO knew he couldn’t afford another misfire. He needed a search partner who could understand the stakes, define the leadership DNA required for this moment, and surface candidates with the right blend of financial rigor and growth mindset.
The right CFO would need to thrive in a fast-paced environment, commit to the long game, and share the CEO’s drive to transform the company from an emerging player into an industry leader. This was a ground-floor opportunity for a proven operator with ambition, resilience, and a sharp eye on value creation.
The Search Partner
The CEO had a longstanding relationship with TRANSEARCH and valued the firm’s tenacity and high standards. He described TRANSEARCH as a trusted advisor that “gets things done and done right,” and praised its flexibility and problem-solving mindset. Having worked with TRANSEARCH on multiple executive searches, he knew the team could handle both the complexity and urgency of this CFO hire.
TRANSEARCH’s ability to adapt to evolving search dynamics—without compromising on candidate quality or process discipline—made them a natural fit to lead this engagement. The CEO needed more than a recruiter; he needed a partner who could diagnose the leadership gap and guide a rigorous, targeted process from start to finish.
Solution
TRANSEARCH began with a deep diagnostic of the company’s situation, future-state vision, and leadership needs. The mandate was clear: identify a CFO with private equity expertise, strong operational acumen, and a proven track record of scaling high-growth organizations. Equally important was alignment with the CEO’s leadership style and the interpersonal ability to serve as a strategic leader.
TRANSEARCH built a market map and custom messaging campaign designed to reach high-performing finance executives who had already proven themselves at scale but were eager for a high-impact role with ownership potential. The role was pitched as a rare opportunity to join a high-growth company at an inflection point—to architect not just the finance function, but the future of the business.
The team also prioritized diversity, location viability, and cultural fit, narrowing a broad list of over 100 screened candidates down to a shortlist of five.
