Capital, finance and investments
Strategic Recruitment for a Senior Product Leadership Role in Financial Services
Context
A leading Canadian financial institution headquartered in Montréal engaged Fauve to support a high-stakes recruitment following the departure of a senior leader in product management. This executive-level role was pivotal to the organization’s residential lending strategy and product innovation agenda. With a product team in place and an evolving regulatory environment, the organization required a leader capable of driving strategic alignment while adapting quickly to changing market dynamics.
Challenges
The search presented significant complexity. The ideal candidate needed to bring a blend of strategic leadership, regulatory literacy, and bilingual communication skills—within a talent market where such profiles are scarce. Most comparable leaders were concentrated in other major financial hubs and often embedded within competing institutions. Beyond location and experience, the role demanded an executive who could confidently lead transformation, navigate a matrixed environment, and balance innovation with risk management. The search required not only technical precision but also cultural alignment with a leadership team focused on agility, performance, and employee development.
our approach
Fauve adopted a strategic, partnership-based approach. We worked closely with the leadership team to refine the role beyond its functional definition—highlighting key differentiators such as leadership style, team dynamics, and strategic runway. Rather than limiting the scope to traditional banking, we expanded the search to include professionals from adjacent sectors, including insurance and fintech, with experience managing complex, regulated product portfolios. Our outreach emphasized the opportunity to lead meaningful transformation in a collaborative and values-driven environment. We curated a shortlist of candidates who not only met the strategic requirements of the role but also demonstrated the mindset and adaptability needed to thrive within the organization’s evolving structure.
The impact
The selected candidate quickly stepped into the role, bringing clarity to product strategy and alignment across teams. Their leadership has been instrumental in structuring the product function, addressing regulatory challenges, and positioning the organization to compete effectively in a shifting residential lending landscape. This mandate illustrates the value of a thoughtful, flexible recruitment process—one that considers both current needs and future potential. By focusing on fit, growth capacity, and strategic alignment, we helped our client secure a leader who is now driving measurable impact in a critical area of the business.