Case Study:

Fauve’s Successful Recruitment of a Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Recruiting a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a complex task. Successfully hiring for this position requires a deep understanding of corporate finance, resilience, discipline, and, ideally, in-depth industry knowledge. At Fauve, our extensive experience in executive recruitment allows us to identify the right profiles no matter the context and complexity. Discover one of our successful CFO placements this year and how it turned into a true success story.

A Complex Scenario for a CFO Recruitment

Our client, a subsidiary of a European pharmaceutical company, was going through a signifiant growth phase in France. This fifteen-person business unit was integrated within a larger structure, but until now, the company headquarters directly managed financial activities. With the ramp up of local activity, the company needed to recruit a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) capable of structuring financial operations and ensuring a strategic presence on site.

Expectations and Constraints of this CFO Recruitment

The client was looking for an autonomous Chief Financial Officer. Although the client was very open-minded regarding the personality and background of the future CFO, the budget remained limited.

For the client, finding a candidate who could successfully handle the role’s responsibilities with adaptability—while strictly adhering to defined financial criteria—was absolutely essential.

The market perceived the position as a “stepping stone,” but the client needed someone in role for the long term.

Challenges Encountered During the CFO Recruitment

The Paris location provided a large pool of potential CFO candidates. However, refining the search to those with pharmaceutical industry experience while ensuring the right level of autonomy and expertise proved to be a challenge. In addition, salary expectations varied enormously, with differences of 10,000 to 50,000 euros compared to the initial budget. We also had to navigate between profiles attracted by rapid evolution and those looking for a long-term project.

In addition, salary expectations varied enormously, with differences of 10,000 to 50,000 euros compared to the initial budget. We also had to navigate between profiles attracted by rapid evolution and those looking for a long-term project.

Fauve’s Strategy for a Successful CFO Recruitment

After a thorough selection process, we identified the ideal candidate—someone who not only aligned with the client’s values and culture but also brought the necessary expertise to the role. Now, over a year into the position, the new Chief Financial Officer has made an immediate and lasting impact.

By structuring local finances and enhancing financial visibility, the CFO laid a solid foundation for future team recruitments. Their work introduced greater flexibility, enabling more precise planning and objective-setting for the sales team.

The client sought a long-term leader, and the chosen CFO was eager to commit, fully invested in supporting the company’s continued growth.

Conclusion

This CFO recruitment case study highlights the power of close collaboration between our firm and the company. Thanks to the client’s open-minded approach, we were able to navigate their initially narrow criteria and identify a standout candidate who is making a lasting impact.

At Fauve, every recruitment project is unique. Driven by expertise and innovation, we take the time to truly understand our clients’ needs and deliver tailored solutions that align with their vision.