Executive Search for a Chief Commercial Officer for an Aviation Software Business
Business Type: Aviation Software
Location: Europe
Executive Search Team: Samantha Wilson, Associate Director of Executive Search & Aviation Recruitment and Aimee Simpson, Executive Search Consultant & Aviation Recruitment Team Leader
Our client, an Aviation Software provider was seeking to replace their outgoing Chief Commercial Officer (CCO).
The CEO and Head of People made an inbound enquiry to GOOSE Recruitment based on our reputation in Aviation Executive Search.
The Challenge
Our client was a smaller business looking to distance itself from larger corporate norms. They faced challenges in selling the opportunity within this new start-up environment and struggled to find a candidate with the right balance of commercial acumen and product expertise. Additionally, they needed someone experienced in managing remote teams and accustomed to working remotely themselves.
The Solution
1. Client Needs Assessment:
We conducted three in-depth meetings—one with the CEO and two with the Head of People—to fully understand their requirements, emphasising leadership, change management, and growth objectives. Having previously worked with a generalist executive search firm that failed to deliver, we recognised the importance of grasping the nuances of this search and the imperativeness of conducting a successful search.
2. Employer Value Proposition:
We collaborated with the Head of People to craft a compelling narrative of this opportunity ensuring it resonated with potential candidates.
3. Compensation Advice:
We provided clear compensation guidelines upfront to align expectations and maximise interest within the client’s budget.
4. Market Mapping & Candidate Sourcing:
Extensive market research was conducted to understand the aviation software and technology landscape. We leveraged our expertise in aviation recruitment to identify candidates with overlapping skill sets, ensuring a comprehensive approach to sourcing top talent within this dynamic sector.
5. Proactive Candidate Engagement:
Leveraging both GOOSE and client branding, we proactively connected with targeted candidates, highlighting the exceptional opportunity to drive commercial leadership and spearhead transformative initiatives within the business.
6. Comprehensive Interviews:
We conducted detailed interviews, presenting the client’s value proposition while evaluating candidates’ fit for the role based on their experience and alignment with the start-up culture.
7. Refined Shortlist:
After multiple interview rounds, we presented a strong shortlist of highly qualified candidates, including individuals from various regions and international markets. We facilitated face-to-face interviews in London, UK for the final three candidates.
8. Final Selection & Offer Management:
We supported the client through the final interview and offer stages. The client was initially torn between two candidates, and our expertise helped guide them toward a choice that brought energy, enthusiasm, and a mindset well-suited for a start-up environment.
The Results
We successfully placed a dynamic CCO who had extensive experience in the aviation sector. Their background in leading transformative initiatives and managing remote teams has already resulted in immediate improvements in the company’s sales strategies and overall market positioning. In the long term, the client has benefited from enhanced operational efficiencies and a renewed focus on growth. Our ongoing partnership has seen us assist in filling various roles as the business continues to expand.
Contact our Executive Search Team
Call our Executive Search team or complete your details in the form below:
Latest Insights
View All InsightsSurvey Reveals Key Workforce Trends and Challenges Facing MRO & Engineering Professionals in Aviation
A recent survey by aviation recruitment specialists GOOSE Recruitment highlights the evolving priorities and challenges for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) and Engineering professionals. No...
Learning is leadership
For many, the ultimate career goal is to reach the executive level—a position of leadership, authority, and influence. But what happens when you get there? While the journey to the top in Aviation ...
The Power of Happiness in Aviation Leadership
In the aviation and airline sectors, where every decision can have far-reaching consequences, it is easy to feel the weight of responsibility pressing down on us. As leaders, we are no strangers to...
Highlights from MACE
We had the pleasure of attending the Malta Aviation Conference and Expo (MACE) at the Hilton Hotel Malta on the 2nd and 3rd of October. In attendance were Martin Bennell, Group Chief Operating Offi...
10 tips to tell your leadership story through your CV
When you are searching for a new Executive opportunity in the aviation and airline sectors, your CV is more than just a record of your career—it is a strategic narrative that positions you as a lea...
Is it time to look for a new aviation job?
Your career is one of the most significant aspects of your life, following closely behind your friends and family. In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of aviation, ensuring you’re in the rig...
The Evolving C-Suite - Shaping the Future of Aviation and Airline Leadership
As the business landscape evolves, so do the roles within the C-suite. I'm particularly fascinated by the emerging positions poised to shape the future of leadership and drive significant change wi...
Aviation Recruitment: Trends and Strategies for Success in 2024
Leveraging our knowledge, the feedback from our esteemed clients and candidates and the trends we see across the aviation and airline sectors, we want to share the biggest recruitment trends for th...
Aviation Leaders Careers
How do aviation leaders view their careers? Do they feel secure in their jobs? Are they looking to change jobs? What do they view as most important in their careers? And what skills do they want t...
The impact of AI on Aviation: People, work, and recruitment
AI is set to significantly transform the way work is conducted and it might be sooner than you think. There is the potential that if implemented and communicated correctly, aviation businesses and ...
Results Released from the Leaders in Aviation Survey 2024
The results from the Leaders in Aviation Survey 2024 explore emerging trends and challenges, uncovering the changes since our previous survey and exploring careers, reward, leadership, AI (artifici...
Mastering Presentations for Interviews
Presentations are a crucial component of senior-level interviews, offering you the opportunity to showcase your expertise, leadership skills, and suitability for the role. However, delivering a com...