High level: How to hire a top executive: The Gravity Agency's search strategy based on the Genome case.
68
days
to hire
15
candidates
delivered
FinTech
Filling C-level positions is always challenging for the hiring company and the recruitment team. However, with detailed market analysis and an understanding of the niche and market specifics, it is achievable. Since recruiters at The Gravity Agency have expertise not only in hiring specialists but also in market research, this article serves as a successful example of how various search tools can be used to quickly find a specialist for a management position with specific, narrow expertise.
Genome is a B2B/B2C company focused on the EU market, offering account creation, payment processing, currency exchange, internal transfers, SEPA and SWIFT transfers, and other fully online banking operations.
Product Director Profile
In the summer of 2023, the company opened the position of Product Director to manage a team of product managers, which at the time consisted of 5 managers covering different product areas. It was crucial to find a specialist with a deep understanding of the Fintech industry and at least 3 years of management experience. Additionally, soft skills such as vision, business orientation, and a management style compatible with the existing team were essential to the client. The search was confined to one location - Vilnius, Lithuania.
Sourcing Strategy
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Lithuanian Market Analysis: Identifying donor companies where specialists might have the required level of expertise and skill set for the position. Donor companies were identified through LinkedIn and internet resources that provide information about key players in the Banking and Fintech industry.
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Consultation with the Product Team: Consult with the product team regarding relevant companies.
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Recommendations: Asking for recommendations from candidates who were not considering changing companies.
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Cold Search: Conducting cold searches through LinkedIn, industry communities, and conference pages.
Results
96
longlist
candidates
15
candidates
delievered
11
candidates
interviewed
68 days
time to close
Some Advice
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In-depth Market Research: Conduct deep market research before active sourcing, identifying key donors, their expertise, and team composition. Understand their current conditions, tools, and products they work with.
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Detailed First-Touch Message Analysis: Ensure the initial message is informative and capable of capturing the candidate’s interest. Highlight all the advantages and challenges of the vacancy without overwhelming with details. Experiment with message formats, and use follow-ups, and reminders.
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Recruiter Market Knowledge: A recruiter's awareness of the market and niche they work in significantly impacts success. Use open sources to study competitors and potentially interesting companies, develop a network, and maintain contact with candidates who declined for future opportunities.
If you need to find a C-level candidate or your search is taking too long, The Gravity Agency team will be glad to assist in the search and has all the necessary expertise and infrastructure to ensure speed and quality based on your business needs.