Fauve

Consulting, technology and professional services

Navigating Hypergrowth: A Strategic Recruitment Case Study in Fintech

Context

A Montréal-based fintech company had just closed a Series A funding round and was entering a decisive growth phase. With plans to expand into new markets and launch a flagship product, they needed to quickly build a senior sales function — starting with a Head of Sales capable of leading go-to-market efforts across both Montréal and Toronto. The urgency was real: the mandate needed to be completed in under six weeks. And the bar was high: they were looking for someone with deep fintech experience, operational resilience, and the leadership maturity to thrive in a fast-evolving environment.

Challenges

Finding top commercial talent in a competitive market is never easy — especially when internal structures are still forming and expectations are evolving week by week. The right person would need to navigate ambiguity, build from scratch, and align closely with the founding team’s vision, all while delivering quick wins.

our approach

Fauve’s role was to bring clarity, focus, and traction. We began by immersing ourselves in the company’s positioning, challenges, and culture. Direct and ongoing dialogue with leadership ensured we weren’t just searching for a resume — but for a strategic partner to help shape the next stage of growth. Rather than cast a wide net, we built a highly targeted shortlist of profiles with strong fintech exposure, sharp commercial instincts, and a clear track record of impact in high-growth settings. Transparent collaboration, weekly progress reports, and close candidate management were key to moving fast — without compromising fit.

The impact

Within six weeks, a standout candidate was hired. Experienced in scaling sales operations, fluent in both markets, and aligned with the company’s values, this new Head of Sales hit the ground running. More than a placement, this was a pivotal hire — unlocking structure, speed, and strategic momentum at a critical moment. It also reinforced a trusted partnership between Fauve and the client: grounded in dialogue, shaped by context, and built for long-term impact.