Financial services has evolved significantly over the past decade. FinTech has upended many traditional financial sectors and is forcing companies to think differently about the future when conducting a financial services executive search.
80% of financial institutions believe their business is at risk from innovators, according to a PwC report. Challenges from more agile and nimble players mean that financial services companies need strong leadership that has the right mindset and experience to leverage technology and succeed amid rapid and continued change.
PIXCELL excels at sourcing and vetting top-caliber professionals to get the perfect candidate for organizations. As experienced financial services headhunters, PIXCELL understands the importance of finding the right person with a shared vision and the technology experience to help lead organizations into the future.
As the financial services sector has become more complex, executive and CFO recruiting have also become more challenging. Today’s CFOs are taking on more strategic roles that go well beyond their ability to manage finances and those roles are growing in importance. More than ever, they are also responsible for leading growth opportunities and digital transformation. The evolution isn’t slowing either. 72% of CFOs and CEOs surveyed by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) said CFO roles will increase or increase significantly in the next few years.
However, there are fewer CFOS with this type of experience, especially when it comes to transforming legacy systems. According to Accenture, 72% of CFOs have direct responsibility for the technology direction of their companies — about the same number that admit they don’t have the requisite knowledge to optimize the technology.
The right CFO can accelerate growth, but organizations need the right CFO recruiting firm to lead the effort. CFO recruitment agencies like PIXCELL have the experience and skills to uncover and validate the best candidates for a financial services company.
Every business situation is different. Organizations need to work with a financial services executive search firm that has a local, nationwide, and international presence to maximize success. This provides maximum exposure to a large talent pool. Exposure to candidates with diverse backgrounds provides unique perspectives that strictly local searches might miss.
When working with financial services headhunters, it’s important to clearly communicate organizational priorities for both the must-have qualifications and the nice-to-have requirements. Understanding the strategic priorities is key for a CFO recruiting firm to source the right candidates. As part of the dialogue, make sure to share the anticipated challenges that the next CFO will face. This helps CFO recruitment agencies align searches with candidates who have excelled in similar situations.
PIXCELL's Approach to Financial Executive Search
PIXCELL’s approach to financial executive recruitment begins with this discussion to develop a profile for the ideal candidate. Based on the information shared and deep market knowledge, PICXCELL can help refine the profile and recommend the type of CFO businesses need for their specific search. This profile forms the framework for finding candidates.
With the profile in hand, PIXCELL relies on its broad experience across industries to uncover candidates with the requisite skills. PIXCELL uses its extensive network within the financial services industry to identify qualified candidates and vets each of them to find the right fit. PIXCELL’s expertise, global reach, and tailored process consistently deliver superior results.
Case Study: CFO Placement Supporting M&A Growth
PIXCELL was contracted by a private equity firm that owned a consumer packaged goods manufacturing company. The firm planned to aggressively expand the business through mergers and acquisitions. They sought a CFO with consumer goods expertise and international experience to oversee the growth strategy.
During the discovery phases, PIXCELL noted the manufacturing company’s systems and processes were outdated. The recommendation was to tailor the search for a CFO with a successful track record guiding digital transformation and change management skills.
Leveraging industry relations, PIXCELL presented a candidate who had led digital change in another organization and had the international experience the company required. Within months of hiring, the new CFO created a technology roadmap to modernize systems and an integration strategy to realize synergies from future acquisitions.
Hiring the right CFO recruitment agency for a financial services executive search will have a significant impact on the future of any organization. CFO recruiting is increasingly complex and it takes experienced headhunters with extensive connections to find the right fit.
PIXCELL’s team of executive search specialists will take the time to understand the unique business challenges to develop candidates that align with organizational goals. Using market intelligence and industry experience developed over years of executive searches in Montreal, Toronto, Quebec, and internationally, PIXCELL ensures companies get the best possible advice and results before, during, and after the hiring process.
Contact PIXCELL today to discuss financial services executive search.
What qualifications are most important for CFO candidates?
The modern CFO needs financial acumen, strategic thinking, leadership, communication, change management, and technological skills for success.
What challenges do firms face with CFO recruitment?
The evolving role of CFOs and a shortage of candidates experienced in leading transformative change have made hiring more challenging. PIXCELL has the network, expertise, and market knowledge to find, vet, and deliver high-calibre executive candidates for the financial services industry.
Why are change management and digital experience important for CFOs?
The rapid pace of change and the emergence of FinTech competitors have accelerated the need for agility and transformation in financial services. CFOs must have the skills to guide transitions, leverage technology, and adapt systems and processes.
Why is PIXCELL the best choice for financial services executive recruitment?
With deep experience, a vast network, and a global presence, PIXCELL has access to the top 1% of financial executive talent locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. This broad exposure helps find the right candidate to lead financial services companies. Further, financial services specialists understand the unique needs within the industry along with technical role requirements.
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