The Challenge
The board of a SaaS business approached us to find a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead their organization through its next critical growth phase. This high-stakes search required a flexible and strategic approach, as the company was in a state of flux with its current leadership. Over the 12-week Executive Search process, we had to account for three potential leadership scenarios as the future was unclear:
- A proven CEO to independently guide the company to an exit with minimal oversight.
- A leader who could mentor and support the existing CEO, stepping in as required.
- A Commercial MD with strong potential, who would work under the current CEO’s guidance and eventually take over.
Each scenario required a distinct profile, skill set, and compensation level, which meant the candidate pool would vary significantly. Despite these uncertainties, we committed to identifying a leader capable of scaling the company from its current stage to a successful exit in the years ahead.
Our Solution
Our Executive Search process, backed by an exclusive financial and exclusivity agreement, allowed us to fully invest in a robust, strategic approach. Here’s how we tackled this multifaceted challenge:
- Comprehensive Discovery and Strategy:
- Conducted in-depth sessions with the board to understand their goals, challenges, and potential scenarios.
- Created a detailed roadmap for sourcing candidates across three levels:
- Experienced CEOs with a proven track record of successful exits.
- Mid-level MDs capable of scaling with board guidance.
- Commercial Leaders with P&L experience, ready to grow into the role.
- Targeted Talent Mapping:
- Mapped out the talent pool of current and past SaaS leaders in South Africa.
- Focused on commercial leaders with deep SaaS knowledge, scalability expertise, and a track record of success within smaller businesses.
- Personalized Outreach:
- Narrowed the list to 170 profiles and manually engaged with 46 potential candidates.
- Conducted exploratory one-hour discussions with 32 candidates, ensuring alignment with their aspirations and the role’s requirements.
- Invited the most promising candidates to two-hour, in-depth interviews to assess their achievements, knowledge, and readiness for the role.
- 9 Candidates were shortlisted and submitted to the board, categorized into three distinct leadership levels (CEO, MD and Commercial leader).
The Outcome
The board was presented with a shortlist of 9 exceptional candidates, each capable of succeeding in one of the three leadership scenarios. The rigorous process culminated in three standout finalists who underwent:
- Top Grading Interviews with an independent psychologist, designed to eliminate weaker candidates. Remarkably, all three passed.
- Comprehensive Psychometric Testing, which further validated their suitability for the role.
Ultimately, the board had a choice of three highly qualified candidates, each capable of leading the business to its next stage of success. The process ensured they could confidently select the leader whose vision and values most closely aligned with the company’s long-term goals.
Why This Was a Success
This case exemplifies the meticulousness and adaptability of our Executive Search process:
- Strategic Flexibility: We prepared for multiple outcomes, ensuring the board was equipped with strong candidates regardless of how leadership evolved over the coming 3 months.
- High-Quality Talent Pool: Our personalized approach and deep industry expertise ensured a selection of candidates who could succeed in even the most complex roles.
- Exceptional Outcomes: All finalists exceeded expectations, giving the board the assurance that any choice would be a great one.
Why Progressive Edge Consulting?
Our Executive Search Service delivers unparalleled value by:
- Combining deep research with tailored outreach to engage top-tier talent.
- Offering end-to-end support, from discovery sessions to post-placement.
- Leveraging our extensive SaaS industry expertise to identify candidates who can drive transformative business outcomes.
- The entire process is conducted by an experienced team of professionals.
Ready to find the right leader for your business? Contact Progressive Edge Consulting today.
