Challenge
Finding the right head of global research was critical for our client, a global pharmaceutical company whose strategy is built on its ability to discover and commercialize new treatments for diseases.
We understood how crucial it was to install the right person into this role, having partnered with this pharmaceutical giant for several years, recruiting teams with extensive backgrounds in scientific research and global business. With research and development budgets running into billions, any mistake in terms of recruiting the global head of clinical research could have spelt disaster.
Action
While the company’s initial thoughts were good, we knew there was no individual who could fulfill the job as described, either because of title, reporting structure or salary. By analyzing the business implications, we worked with the client to develop an executive profile that better encompassed the company’s strategic and operational requirements. We did so without compromising the academic specifications or clinical experience sought by our client and essential for the position.
By pooling their industry knowledge and network of contacts, our global team of consultants established a list of elite potential candidates representing a broad spectrum of nationalities and international experience in the life sciences sector.
Some further requirements were added to the position specification, including experience managing a research laboratory. Each prospect was then validated against the detailed specification and key competencies. Finally, the list was narrowed down to five candidates who were interviewed by our team and then presented to the client.
Result
One outstanding candidate emerged from the list: a European with an enviable record as a clinical research scientist and top executive who had spent the previous 12 years in the US.
Our ability to help the client rethink and refine the position resulted in a leadership solution that boosted the company’s chances of success and minimised the risk of business failure.