Case Study
COO Appointment for a Microfinance NGO
Recruiting a global COO from the private sector for a financial inclusion INGO
The Challenge
With ambitious targets to increase their impact by seven times in seven years, the client had run their own global process, but had not been able to identify the right operational leadership in the right location. The role was new and part of a restructure. They needed a global search which identified highly skilled and missionally aligned operational leaders.
Our Approach
We worked with the client to refine how the challenge of the role was articulated, seeking to emphasise the unique moment the organisation was at not only in its life cycle, but as a global player.
The ideal candidates for the role needed senior operational experience within a retail banking context, and a committed Christian faith. For the right person, the move would be the chance to unite their faith with their banking acumen, but also represent a significant pay cut.
We built up networks in the geographies the client had prioritised (America, Europe) and conducted extensive research into financial inclusion organisations. The significance of this move for both the client and the candidates meant in-depth conversations with candidates not only about their operational skill, but about their career, faith, and hopes for personal impact or legacy.
Our Impact
The resulting longlist represented outstanding operational skill from retail banking and inclusive financial services sectors. The appointment was successfully made, and the COO has begun the implementation of a new operating system. We have since worked on the appointment of a senior IT leader to support this vital shift.