CHIEF STRATEGY & INNOVATION OFFICER

Location Impact: Global Role, Based in Utah

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THE CHALLENGE

Silvester & Company was tasked with finding a Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer for a publicly traded, global leader in medical devices. The company, under pressure from an active board and amid plans for the long-time CEO's succession, sought to introduce this new role to their executive leadership team—a position that represented one of the first C-suite additions in many years. 

The challenge lay in finding a leader capable of revamping the company's sales and marketing strategy while simultaneously driving product innovation. The ideal candidate had to be experienced, forward-thinking, and able to thrive in the company's established culture.  

Perhaps the most difficult aspect of this search was finding a leader with the patience, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills to build trust with the Founder and CEO while also satisfying the Board’s requirements as well. 

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THE STRATEGY

In collaboration with the CEO, who had been instrumental in scaling the company to its current global stature, we understood the importance of finding a candidate who could be a potential successor. Building trust would be a key element of our success and of the future candidate’s. We collaborated closely and often with the CEO, advising him on potential structure, sharing market data, and providing comprehensive candidate assessments of both known and unknown candidates. This deliberate and patient approach underscored our commitment to finding a candidate who was not only highly qualified but also aligned with the company's values and future direction.  

Our nationwide campaign was tailored to attract a diverse array of candidates, each bringing their own unique market expertise and a proven track record in establishing new national or global market segments. 

169

INDIVIDUALS CONTACTED ACROSS THE US

25

STATES CANDIDATES WERE IDENTIFIED

12

POTENTIAL CANDIDATES EVALUATED BY THE SEARCH COMMITTEE

60%

OF PRESENTED CANDIDATES RECEIVED A CLIENT INTERVIEW

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THE RESULTS

Our partner-led team compiled and presented an exhaustive market and candidate assessments to the CEO and Board team. We led in building a thorough interview and board assessment process that allowed the cautious CEO to identify a partner he felt confident in, and the Board saw as a clear successor.  

The successful candidate stood out with a diverse product portfolio and substantial leadership experience in managing global sales and marketing teams. This individual's impressive background, marked by significant roles in market leading companies, promised a new era of strategic growth and innovation for the organization. This strategic appointment marked a pivotal step in the company's journey, aligning perfectly with its mission and setting the stage for continued global success. 

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Next Up: VP, Capture Management