The Project
A leading $1.2 billion multinational corporation in the orthopedics sector engaged us to lead a strategic executive search for a Vice President & General Manager to head its Advanced Surgical Business Unit (BU). This critical leadership role required an accomplished executive to take full accountability for the end-to-end management of the BU, overseeing all facets including North American profit and loss (P&L), commercial strategy, operations, research & development (R&D), and all back-office functions.
Given the company’s global footprint and growth ambitions, the role demanded a candidate with proven global leadership experience, a strong record of driving expansion, and the capability to manage diverse, multinational teams. The successful candidate needed to combine strategic vision with operational expertise to deliver sustained business growth.
Our Recommendation
Our search process was structured into a comprehensive eight-week timeline, broken down into three key phases:
1. Leadership Discovery & Role Definition
We collaborated closely with the client’s executive leadership to define the precise scope, leadership expectations, and success criteria for the Vice President & General Manager role. This ensured alignment on key deliverables, including financial targets, operational efficiencies, and growth priorities for the Advanced Surgical BU.
2. Search Strategy & Candidate Mapping
Utilising our deep networks within the orthopedics and medical technology sectors, we undertook a targeted global candidate mapping exercise. This process identified 35 highly qualified executives who demonstrated the requisite experience managing P&L, commercial operations, R&D initiatives, and global teams.
3. Interview & Selection Process
From the long list, 6 candidates were shortlisted following a rigorous evaluation. The selection process involved five interview stages with various senior stakeholders, including business unit leaders and board members, designed to assess strategic capability, cultural fit, and leadership style.
Results Delivered
The search was successfully completed within eight weeks, from the initial briefing to the acceptance of the final candidate, enabling the client to maintain momentum without operational disruption.
Time to Placement:
8 weeks
Successful Candidate Profile:
The selected executive brought extensive global leadership experience within the orthopedics or related medical sectors. They had a proven track record of successfully managing P&L, driving commercial growth, leading operational excellence, and spearheading innovation in R&D. Additionally, they demonstrated exceptional skills in managing large, international teams and aligning cross-functional departments to strategic goals.