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Permanent Executive Case Studies
Explore how Executive Coalition delivers trusted, high-impact leadership across critical business functions.
From Legal Directors to Interim CEOs and Fractional CFOs, each case study reflects how we solve urgent leadership gaps with precision, speed, and proven executive talent.
These real-world examples show the results we deliver—and the kind of strategic partnership you can expect when working with us.
Transforming Finance Leadership for a Growing Pharmaceutical Business
Overview
A US-based pharmaceutical company experiencing rapid growth required a hands-on Vice President of Finance to lead their financial planning and operations across a lean, commercially focused environment. With operations spanning the US and Europe and a workforce of 600 globally, they needed an executive who could seamlessly blend strategic financial leadership with operational execution.
After an internal replacement process proved ineffective, the company faced a six-month vacancy that disrupted FP&A activities and left executive leadership overstretched. Their hybrid working model, entrepreneurial culture, and high-impact expectations required a candidate who could step in and own both the strategic and day-to-day financial functions.
Client Challenge
The organization had struggled to find a suitable leader due to:
A high volume of misaligned applicants, often too corporate or clinical-focused.
The need for a commercially savvy finance executive, not just experienced in hospitals or large enterprises.
A preference for candidates who thrived in smaller, agile teams and could multitask across functions.
A strong emphasis on FP&A, business partnering, and end-to-end ownership of deliverables.
Cultural fit—someone motivated by impact, autonomy, and hands-on involvement.
Our Solution
Executive Coalition partnered directly with the CEO and HRBP to define a high-precision brief targeting:
10+ years of senior finance experience within pharma or medical businesses.
Track record of leading FP&A, budgeting, reporting, and accounting teams.
Hands-on style with the ability to work across business functions and adapt to fluid needs.
Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement abilities for cross-functional partnering.
We launched an outbound executive search campaign within 72 hours and engaged our curated network of high-caliber finance leaders across the pharmaceutical and biotech space.
Candidate Outcome
Within three weeks, we delivered a vetted shortlist. The selected candidate—an Executive MBA-qualified CPA with over 13 years of commercial finance leadership in a top-tier pharmaceutical company—stood out for:
Deep experience in FP&A, forecasting, M&A, and post-acquisition integrations.
Proven ability to lead lean, high-performing finance teams while driving strategic transformation.
History of launching analytics platforms, managing international stakeholders, and working across time zones.
Passion for leaving a larger organization to make meaningful contributions in a more entrepreneurial setting.
The candidate joined also relocated to support hybrid office engagement. Their motivation, cultural fit, and adaptability matched the client's exact needs, ending a long-standing leadership gap.
Why It Worked
We filtered out mismatched profiles early, saving client time.
Our insight into high-growth pharma environments ensured we matched on culture, not just credentials.
We delivered trusted advisory throughout—from defining the brief to final offer acceptance.
A US-based pharmaceutical company experiencing rapid growth required a hands-on Vice President of Finance to lead their financial planning and operations across a lean, commercially focused environment. With operations spanning the US and Europe and a workforce of 600 globally, they needed an executive who could seamlessly blend strategic financial leadership with operational execution.
After an internal replacement process proved ineffective, the company faced a six-month vacancy that disrupted FP&A activities and left executive leadership overstretched. Their hybrid working model, entrepreneurial culture, and high-impact expectations required a candidate who could step in and own both the strategic and day-to-day financial functions.
Client Challenge
The organization had struggled to find a suitable leader due to:
A high volume of misaligned applicants, often too corporate or clinical-focused.
The need for a commercially savvy finance executive, not just experienced in hospitals or large enterprises.
A preference for candidates who thrived in smaller, agile teams and could multitask across functions.
A strong emphasis on FP&A, business partnering, and end-to-end ownership of deliverables.
Cultural fit—someone motivated by impact, autonomy, and hands-on involvement.
Our Solution
Executive Coalition partnered directly with the CEO and HRBP to define a high-precision brief targeting:
10+ years of senior finance experience within pharma or medical businesses.
Track record of leading FP&A, budgeting, reporting, and accounting teams.
Hands-on style with the ability to work across business functions and adapt to fluid needs.
Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement abilities for cross-functional partnering.
We launched an outbound executive search campaign within 72 hours and engaged our curated network of high-caliber finance leaders across the pharmaceutical and biotech space.
Candidate Outcome
Within three weeks, we delivered a vetted shortlist. The selected candidate—an Executive MBA-qualified CPA with over 13 years of commercial finance leadership in a top-tier pharmaceutical company—stood out for:
Deep experience in FP&A, forecasting, M&A, and post-acquisition integrations.
Proven ability to lead lean, high-performing finance teams while driving strategic transformation.
History of launching analytics platforms, managing international stakeholders, and working across time zones.
Passion for leaving a larger organization to make meaningful contributions in a more entrepreneurial setting.
The candidate joined also relocated to support hybrid office engagement. Their motivation, cultural fit, and adaptability matched the client's exact needs, ending a long-standing leadership gap.
Why It Worked
We filtered out mismatched profiles early, saving client time.
Our insight into high-growth pharma environments ensured we matched on culture, not just credentials.
We delivered trusted advisory throughout—from defining the brief to final offer acceptance.
Senior Energy Leadership Appointment — Netherlands Region
Client Overview:
A fast-scaling global energy technology company, pioneering modular energy solutions across Europe, was entering a crucial growth phase in the Netherlands. With ambitious plans to deploy small-scale power infrastructure and partner with both public and private institutions, they required a proven executive to take full ownership of national operations.
🚨 The Challenge
To execute their mission in the Dutch market, the client needed a Managing Director who could wear multiple hats:
Oversee high-stakes projects from early-stage permitting through to delivery.
Navigate complex regulatory systems (EZK, I&W, Tweede Kamer) while serving as the face of the organization in-country.
Lead cross-functional coordination across legal, engineering, and business development teams.
Represent the brand with credibility among senior stakeholders from government to corporate boards.
Operate with fluency in both Dutch and English, while being based locally.
Despite a compelling mission, their internal search faced barriers: the requirements were specific, cross-sectoral, and involved a rare blend of public-private experience. The leadership team needed outside expertise to define and fill the role with urgency.
🎯 Our Support
The Executive Coalition was engaged to deliver an end-to-end executive search campaign, from strategic role scoping to final offer negotiation. Key actions included:
Conducting a deep discovery session with the US-based C-suite and European expansion team to understand technical, political, and organizational priorities.
Shaping the role brief to reflect the true hybrid nature of the post—combining delivery, diplomacy, and development.
Deploying a targeted search across our European leadership network, emphasizing candidates with nuclear, industrial energy, and large-scale infrastructure experience.
Prioritizing individuals with an influential reputation across Dutch regulatory environments and the credibility to represent the brand at the highest levels.
Acting as candidate liaison and advisor, helping align expectations around role scope, equity options, and long-term vision.
Our involvement extended beyond candidate search—we helped refine internal messaging, prepared stakeholder interview panels, and created a process that allowed for fast, structured decision-making without sacrificing depth.
🧩 The Successful Appointment
Within three weeks, we secured an exceptional Dutch-based candidate with 15+ years of senior experience in nuclear energy and large-scale industrial project leadership. Key credentials included:
Executive oversight of engineering teams across Europe on complex power infrastructure.
Front-line experience with Dutch ministries and agencies, building credibility within regulatory and political frameworks.
Commercial track record managing power purchase agreements, supplier negotiations, and legal processes.
Leadership of interdisciplinary teams on cutting-edge energy systems involving civil, mechanical, and nuclear integration.
Strong systems-thinking approach combined with an ability to influence at executive and governmental levels.
She was attracted not only to the mission, but to the opportunity to build and lead a national operation with strategic autonomy, while collaborating with a respected global leadership team.
✅ Results & Impact
The client secured a highly respected regional leader with a clear mandate to drive growth, navigate regulatory complexity, and lead market entry.
We shortened the hiring timeline significantly—from months of internal delay to final offer in under 25 days.
By providing structure, clarity, and candidate alignment, we accelerated decision-making and created momentum at a critical stage in the firm’s expansion.
The appointed Managing Director has already begun leading strategic dialogue with public stakeholders and is now preparing for project implementation phases aligned with the company’s European roadmap.
💡 Why It Worked
We translated an ambitious, complex brief into clear market messaging, attracting top-tier candidates who had previously overlooked the opportunity.
Our proactive and consultative approach ensured full alignment across US and EU leadership, speeding up the process without compromising quality.
Our presence served as a trusted intermediary—balancing client urgency with candidate expectations and ensuring a seamless close.
This success underscores the power of precision targeting, clear positioning, and expert-led delivery in filling senior hybrid roles where technical, political, and strategic demands converge.
A fast-scaling global energy technology company, pioneering modular energy solutions across Europe, was entering a crucial growth phase in the Netherlands. With ambitious plans to deploy small-scale power infrastructure and partner with both public and private institutions, they required a proven executive to take full ownership of national operations.
🚨 The Challenge
To execute their mission in the Dutch market, the client needed a Managing Director who could wear multiple hats:
Oversee high-stakes projects from early-stage permitting through to delivery.
Navigate complex regulatory systems (EZK, I&W, Tweede Kamer) while serving as the face of the organization in-country.
Lead cross-functional coordination across legal, engineering, and business development teams.
Represent the brand with credibility among senior stakeholders from government to corporate boards.
Operate with fluency in both Dutch and English, while being based locally.
Despite a compelling mission, their internal search faced barriers: the requirements were specific, cross-sectoral, and involved a rare blend of public-private experience. The leadership team needed outside expertise to define and fill the role with urgency.
🎯 Our Support
The Executive Coalition was engaged to deliver an end-to-end executive search campaign, from strategic role scoping to final offer negotiation. Key actions included:
Conducting a deep discovery session with the US-based C-suite and European expansion team to understand technical, political, and organizational priorities.
Shaping the role brief to reflect the true hybrid nature of the post—combining delivery, diplomacy, and development.
Deploying a targeted search across our European leadership network, emphasizing candidates with nuclear, industrial energy, and large-scale infrastructure experience.
Prioritizing individuals with an influential reputation across Dutch regulatory environments and the credibility to represent the brand at the highest levels.
Acting as candidate liaison and advisor, helping align expectations around role scope, equity options, and long-term vision.
Our involvement extended beyond candidate search—we helped refine internal messaging, prepared stakeholder interview panels, and created a process that allowed for fast, structured decision-making without sacrificing depth.
🧩 The Successful Appointment
Within three weeks, we secured an exceptional Dutch-based candidate with 15+ years of senior experience in nuclear energy and large-scale industrial project leadership. Key credentials included:
Executive oversight of engineering teams across Europe on complex power infrastructure.
Front-line experience with Dutch ministries and agencies, building credibility within regulatory and political frameworks.
Commercial track record managing power purchase agreements, supplier negotiations, and legal processes.
Leadership of interdisciplinary teams on cutting-edge energy systems involving civil, mechanical, and nuclear integration.
Strong systems-thinking approach combined with an ability to influence at executive and governmental levels.
She was attracted not only to the mission, but to the opportunity to build and lead a national operation with strategic autonomy, while collaborating with a respected global leadership team.
✅ Results & Impact
The client secured a highly respected regional leader with a clear mandate to drive growth, navigate regulatory complexity, and lead market entry.
We shortened the hiring timeline significantly—from months of internal delay to final offer in under 25 days.
By providing structure, clarity, and candidate alignment, we accelerated decision-making and created momentum at a critical stage in the firm’s expansion.
The appointed Managing Director has already begun leading strategic dialogue with public stakeholders and is now preparing for project implementation phases aligned with the company’s European roadmap.
💡 Why It Worked
We translated an ambitious, complex brief into clear market messaging, attracting top-tier candidates who had previously overlooked the opportunity.
Our proactive and consultative approach ensured full alignment across US and EU leadership, speeding up the process without compromising quality.
Our presence served as a trusted intermediary—balancing client urgency with candidate expectations and ensuring a seamless close.
This success underscores the power of precision targeting, clear positioning, and expert-led delivery in filling senior hybrid roles where technical, political, and strategic demands converge.
Director of Information Technology – National Nonprofit Organization
Overview
A nationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to shaping the next generation of physician leaders was entering a pivotal phase in its digital transformation. Operating fully remotely, the organization supports tens of thousands of healthcare professionals through online education, executive development programs, and institutional partnerships with leading universities.
After consistent growth (+8% YoY) and years of operational stability, leadership recognized the need for a strategic, hands-on Director of Information Technology to modernize legacy systems, enhance digital capabilities, and future-proof their IT infrastructure. This role would be critical to shaping the organization’s digital roadmap—from mobile platform expansion to robust security frameworks and integrated data architecture.
However, high application volume (100+ candidates) and lean internal HR capacity made it difficult to identify the right individual. The challenge wasn’t just technical—it was cultural. The ideal candidate had to bring both broad technical expertise and a collaborative, mission-first mindset suited to the nonprofit world.
The Challenge
The organization needed a multi-skilled IT leader to manage systems, strategy, security, reporting, vendors, and team leadership—all in one role.
Internal capacity was strained by the volume of applications, delaying progress.
Cultural fit was just as vital as capability: the ideal hire needed to thrive in a lean, purpose-driven, remote-first team.
The role demanded competency across:
IT Risk & Cybersecurity
Scalable System Architecture & Performance Monitoring
Data Analytics & Reporting Infrastructure
Mobile App & API Development
QA/Test Systems
Budget Management & Strategic IT Planning
Our Solution
Executive Coalition partnered closely with the HR Director and executive team to:
Redefine the brief to isolate top-priority capabilities and cultural markers
Align the role with sector-specific talent expectations and motivations
Launch a targeted search campaign within 48 hours, prioritizing candidates with:
7–10+ years of IT management experience
Nonprofit or mission-driven organization exposure
Proven ability to lead lean teams and complex integrations
Strategic vision and execution across risk, reporting, and performance systems
A leadership style rooted in empathy, innovation, and accountability
Tapping into our leadership network, we ran a focused search across nonprofit, healthcare, and mid-market tech environments.
The Outcome
In just 12 days, we delivered a refined shortlist. The successful candidate brought:
10+ years in IT leadership with deep knowledge of security and compliance frameworks
Experience in launching mobile apps and building robust reporting dashboards
A track record of modernizing systems without disrupting core operations
A strong leadership presence and coaching ability for team growth
A clear alignment with the organization’s mission, values, and long-term vision
They saw the role not just as a job, but as a platform to contribute meaningfully to the healthcare ecosystem.
Why It Worked
We cut through the noise with a sharply defined role profile and outreach tailored to nonprofit-aligned leaders
We balanced technical depth with emotional intelligence, ensuring the candidate could operate strategically while integrating seamlessly into the culture
Our mission-led approach drew in talent motivated by purpose as much as compensation
The end-to-end process—from brief to hire—was executed in under two weeks
A nationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to shaping the next generation of physician leaders was entering a pivotal phase in its digital transformation. Operating fully remotely, the organization supports tens of thousands of healthcare professionals through online education, executive development programs, and institutional partnerships with leading universities.
After consistent growth (+8% YoY) and years of operational stability, leadership recognized the need for a strategic, hands-on Director of Information Technology to modernize legacy systems, enhance digital capabilities, and future-proof their IT infrastructure. This role would be critical to shaping the organization’s digital roadmap—from mobile platform expansion to robust security frameworks and integrated data architecture.
However, high application volume (100+ candidates) and lean internal HR capacity made it difficult to identify the right individual. The challenge wasn’t just technical—it was cultural. The ideal candidate had to bring both broad technical expertise and a collaborative, mission-first mindset suited to the nonprofit world.
The Challenge
The organization needed a multi-skilled IT leader to manage systems, strategy, security, reporting, vendors, and team leadership—all in one role.
Internal capacity was strained by the volume of applications, delaying progress.
Cultural fit was just as vital as capability: the ideal hire needed to thrive in a lean, purpose-driven, remote-first team.
The role demanded competency across:
IT Risk & Cybersecurity
Scalable System Architecture & Performance Monitoring
Data Analytics & Reporting Infrastructure
Mobile App & API Development
QA/Test Systems
Budget Management & Strategic IT Planning
Our Solution
Executive Coalition partnered closely with the HR Director and executive team to:
Redefine the brief to isolate top-priority capabilities and cultural markers
Align the role with sector-specific talent expectations and motivations
Launch a targeted search campaign within 48 hours, prioritizing candidates with:
7–10+ years of IT management experience
Nonprofit or mission-driven organization exposure
Proven ability to lead lean teams and complex integrations
Strategic vision and execution across risk, reporting, and performance systems
A leadership style rooted in empathy, innovation, and accountability
Tapping into our leadership network, we ran a focused search across nonprofit, healthcare, and mid-market tech environments.
The Outcome
In just 12 days, we delivered a refined shortlist. The successful candidate brought:
10+ years in IT leadership with deep knowledge of security and compliance frameworks
Experience in launching mobile apps and building robust reporting dashboards
A track record of modernizing systems without disrupting core operations
A strong leadership presence and coaching ability for team growth
A clear alignment with the organization’s mission, values, and long-term vision
They saw the role not just as a job, but as a platform to contribute meaningfully to the healthcare ecosystem.
Why It Worked
We cut through the noise with a sharply defined role profile and outreach tailored to nonprofit-aligned leaders
We balanced technical depth with emotional intelligence, ensuring the candidate could operate strategically while integrating seamlessly into the culture
Our mission-led approach drew in talent motivated by purpose as much as compensation
The end-to-end process—from brief to hire—was executed in under two weeks
Director of Information Technology – Non-Profit Leadership Organization
A prominent nonprofit dedicated to advancing physician leadership across the US healthcare sector required a transformative Director of Information Technology. With a fully remote model and a tight-knit leadership team, the organization supports tens of thousands of professionals through online learning platforms, affiliated Master’s programs, and customized institutional development programs.
After several years of internal stability and consistent growth (+8% YoY), the organization was preparing for a new digital chapter—modernizing its homegrown technology infrastructure, integrating new tools, and enhancing its reporting and analytics capabilities. They needed a hands-on IT leader with broad technical expertise, strategic planning ability, and proven experience working in mission-led, collaborative environments.
This hire was essential not only for ongoing operations but for laying the foundation of their future digital roadmap, including mobile app development, risk and compliance frameworks, and scalable system architecture. The team faced challenges with applicant volume and screening capacity, and cultural fit was seen as equally important as technical skills.
Client Challenge
The organization had:
An urgent need for a cross-functional IT leader able to manage people, systems, vendors, and planning in one role.
A limited internal HR function unable to effectively sift through 100+ applications.
A desire to find someone comfortable in nonprofit environments, capable of guiding a three-person team, and open to being a long-term part of the organization’s leadership journey.
A requirement for a candidate with a broad but balanced skill set in:
IT risk & security
System architecture & performance monitoring
Data analytics & reporting frameworks
Mobile app/API development
QA and testing process implementation
Strategic budgeting and cost optimization
Our Solution
Executive Coalition partnered directly with the HR Director and hiring stakeholders to map out a refined candidate profile that prioritized:
Leadership maturity with 7–10 years of experience in IT management roles.
Understanding of technology operations within nonprofits or healthcare-related fields.
Demonstrated success in overseeing lean teams and outsourced vendors.
A passion for building resilient systems and leading modernization projects, not just maintaining legacy infrastructure.
Strong interpersonal skills to integrate smoothly into a purpose-driven and remote-first team.
A targeted outbound campaign was launched within 48 hours, tapping into our private leadership talent pool and tailored sourcing from the nonprofit and health tech ecosystem.
Candidate Outcome
Within 12 days, a curated shortlist was presented. The selected candidate stood out due to:
A decade of experience across IT leadership, architecture, and compliance.
Proven record of risk and security framework design.
Experience launching analytics dashboards and leading mobile development initiatives.
Team leadership and vendor oversight history.
Cultural alignment with the mission of empowering healthcare professionals.
The candidate was highly motivated by the chance to lead in a strategic yet hands-on capacity and viewed this opportunity as a natural next step in their leadership career.
Why It Worked
A refined role brief combined with targeted outreach minimized noise and boosted relevance.
We led with mission alignment and real-world impact to attract candidates motivated by more than compensation.
A balanced evaluation process ensured both technical and interpersonal strengths were properly weighted.
After several years of internal stability and consistent growth (+8% YoY), the organization was preparing for a new digital chapter—modernizing its homegrown technology infrastructure, integrating new tools, and enhancing its reporting and analytics capabilities. They needed a hands-on IT leader with broad technical expertise, strategic planning ability, and proven experience working in mission-led, collaborative environments.
This hire was essential not only for ongoing operations but for laying the foundation of their future digital roadmap, including mobile app development, risk and compliance frameworks, and scalable system architecture. The team faced challenges with applicant volume and screening capacity, and cultural fit was seen as equally important as technical skills.
Client Challenge
The organization had:
An urgent need for a cross-functional IT leader able to manage people, systems, vendors, and planning in one role.
A limited internal HR function unable to effectively sift through 100+ applications.
A desire to find someone comfortable in nonprofit environments, capable of guiding a three-person team, and open to being a long-term part of the organization’s leadership journey.
A requirement for a candidate with a broad but balanced skill set in:
IT risk & security
System architecture & performance monitoring
Data analytics & reporting frameworks
Mobile app/API development
QA and testing process implementation
Strategic budgeting and cost optimization
Our Solution
Executive Coalition partnered directly with the HR Director and hiring stakeholders to map out a refined candidate profile that prioritized:
Leadership maturity with 7–10 years of experience in IT management roles.
Understanding of technology operations within nonprofits or healthcare-related fields.
Demonstrated success in overseeing lean teams and outsourced vendors.
A passion for building resilient systems and leading modernization projects, not just maintaining legacy infrastructure.
Strong interpersonal skills to integrate smoothly into a purpose-driven and remote-first team.
A targeted outbound campaign was launched within 48 hours, tapping into our private leadership talent pool and tailored sourcing from the nonprofit and health tech ecosystem.
Candidate Outcome
Within 12 days, a curated shortlist was presented. The selected candidate stood out due to:
A decade of experience across IT leadership, architecture, and compliance.
Proven record of risk and security framework design.
Experience launching analytics dashboards and leading mobile development initiatives.
Team leadership and vendor oversight history.
Cultural alignment with the mission of empowering healthcare professionals.
The candidate was highly motivated by the chance to lead in a strategic yet hands-on capacity and viewed this opportunity as a natural next step in their leadership career.
Why It Worked
A refined role brief combined with targeted outreach minimized noise and boosted relevance.
We led with mission alignment and real-world impact to attract candidates motivated by more than compensation.
A balanced evaluation process ensured both technical and interpersonal strengths were properly weighted.
Chief EO/IR Engineer – National Security Tech
Client:
U.S.-Based Advanced Technologies Firm | National Security, Aerospace & Space Systems
Location: Onsite, Connecticut
Challenge:
The client, a long-standing provider of advanced EO/IR systems to the U.S. defense and intelligence sectors, required a Chief Engineer to lead mission-critical sensor development programs across the full system lifecycle—from architecture and CONOPS to delivery and verification.
This was a make-or-break technical leadership hire: the company needed someone with deep EO/IR knowledge, proven program execution, and customer-facing technical credibility to drive high-value programs forward. The ideal candidate would also support internal IRAD efforts and mentor technical teams—while navigating extremely high expectations in a classified environment.
Solution Delivered by Executive Coalition:
We launched a precision search targeting senior systems engineers and optical leaders with:
10+ years in EO/IR system architecture and development
Mission-level leadership in defense or aerospace programs
Experience with high-performance imaging systems and verification protocols
U.S. citizenship and active security clearance
Through discreet outreach and qualification, we surfaced a senior EO/IR specialist with:
15+ years in EO/IR systems
10+ years of engineering leadership across DoD optical programs
Direct program wins >$300M
Patents in compact electro-optical mechanisms and gimbal architecture
Deep technical fluency across optical design, focal planes, gimbals, stabilization, and image quality testing (MTF, NIIRS, SNR)
Outcome:
✔ Chief Engineer placed with full relocation
✔ Now leading multiple integrated product teams on high-visibility EO/IR projects
✔ Serving as the primary technical interface with government customers
✔ Supporting pre-proposal shaping and IRAD strategy to secure future contracts
Why It Matters:
In national security and aerospace, the difference between momentum and program stall is often one hire. Executive Coalition delivers deeply vetted technical leadership—fast, secure, and built for mission success.
U.S.-Based Advanced Technologies Firm | National Security, Aerospace & Space Systems
Location: Onsite, Connecticut
Challenge:
The client, a long-standing provider of advanced EO/IR systems to the U.S. defense and intelligence sectors, required a Chief Engineer to lead mission-critical sensor development programs across the full system lifecycle—from architecture and CONOPS to delivery and verification.
This was a make-or-break technical leadership hire: the company needed someone with deep EO/IR knowledge, proven program execution, and customer-facing technical credibility to drive high-value programs forward. The ideal candidate would also support internal IRAD efforts and mentor technical teams—while navigating extremely high expectations in a classified environment.
Solution Delivered by Executive Coalition:
We launched a precision search targeting senior systems engineers and optical leaders with:
10+ years in EO/IR system architecture and development
Mission-level leadership in defense or aerospace programs
Experience with high-performance imaging systems and verification protocols
U.S. citizenship and active security clearance
Through discreet outreach and qualification, we surfaced a senior EO/IR specialist with:
15+ years in EO/IR systems
10+ years of engineering leadership across DoD optical programs
Direct program wins >$300M
Patents in compact electro-optical mechanisms and gimbal architecture
Deep technical fluency across optical design, focal planes, gimbals, stabilization, and image quality testing (MTF, NIIRS, SNR)
Outcome:
✔ Chief Engineer placed with full relocation
✔ Now leading multiple integrated product teams on high-visibility EO/IR projects
✔ Serving as the primary technical interface with government customers
✔ Supporting pre-proposal shaping and IRAD strategy to secure future contracts
Why It Matters:
In national security and aerospace, the difference between momentum and program stall is often one hire. Executive Coalition delivers deeply vetted technical leadership—fast, secure, and built for mission success.
Director of AI – Robotics Start-Up
Client: VC-Backed Robotics Start-Up | Hospitality & Service Sector Focus
Location: U.S. (Hybrid)
Challenge:
An early-stage robotics start-up, founded by a former MIT researcher, was racing toward its first product demonstration—a humanoid-style SME robot designed to perform real-world, specialized hospitality tasks like housekeeping and room service. With hardware rapidly prototyping, they faced a critical gap on the AI side: there was no technical leadership in place to define vision, architect solutions, or scale intelligent task execution.
They needed a Director of AI—not just an engineer, but a co-founder-calibre hire—capable of owning everything from computer vision to integration with humanoid motion. The right person had to be a visionary, hands-on technical leader from a top-tier AI background… and ready to join an aggressive, equity-backed mission at pace.
Solution Delivered by Executive Coalition:
We launched a founder-level AI leadership search targeting:
Senior computer vision & AI professionals from elite research, robotics, or deep learning backgrounds
Profiles with product-focused startup mentality and ability to build & deploy quickly
Interest in early-stage equity and long-term vision
We used a highly targeted outreach strategy focused on domain alignment, startup readiness, and leadership traits—positioning the opportunity not as a job, but as a founding mission.
Outcome:
✔ Co-founder-level Director of AI hired within 4 weeks
✔ Now leading AI strategy across robotic motion, task mapping, and learning
✔ Positioned as internal tech leader ahead of product pilot launch in September
✔ Hardware and AI now aligned under a clear commercial vision
Why It Matters:
Start-ups building cutting-edge products don’t just need tech—they need foundational leadership who can shape the business and ship the product. That’s what Executive Coalition delivers.
Location: U.S. (Hybrid)
Challenge:
An early-stage robotics start-up, founded by a former MIT researcher, was racing toward its first product demonstration—a humanoid-style SME robot designed to perform real-world, specialized hospitality tasks like housekeeping and room service. With hardware rapidly prototyping, they faced a critical gap on the AI side: there was no technical leadership in place to define vision, architect solutions, or scale intelligent task execution.
They needed a Director of AI—not just an engineer, but a co-founder-calibre hire—capable of owning everything from computer vision to integration with humanoid motion. The right person had to be a visionary, hands-on technical leader from a top-tier AI background… and ready to join an aggressive, equity-backed mission at pace.
Solution Delivered by Executive Coalition:
We launched a founder-level AI leadership search targeting:
Senior computer vision & AI professionals from elite research, robotics, or deep learning backgrounds
Profiles with product-focused startup mentality and ability to build & deploy quickly
Interest in early-stage equity and long-term vision
We used a highly targeted outreach strategy focused on domain alignment, startup readiness, and leadership traits—positioning the opportunity not as a job, but as a founding mission.
Outcome:
✔ Co-founder-level Director of AI hired within 4 weeks
✔ Now leading AI strategy across robotic motion, task mapping, and learning
✔ Positioned as internal tech leader ahead of product pilot launch in September
✔ Hardware and AI now aligned under a clear commercial vision
Why It Matters:
Start-ups building cutting-edge products don’t just need tech—they need foundational leadership who can shape the business and ship the product. That’s what Executive Coalition delivers.
Legal Director – U.S. Pharmaceutical Company
Client: U.S.-Based Specialty Pharmaceutical Company | Emergency & Rare Disease Focus
Location: Hybrid (Pennsylvania, U.S.)
Challenge:
Following a failed executive hire, the client urgently required a Legal Director with deep pharmaceutical experience—someone capable of advising on promotional law, regulatory compliance, and commercial contracts in preparation for a major product launch.
The existing legal structure lacked the senior leadership needed to confidently advise on cross-functional matters and support the company’s entry into new markets, including government contracts and clinical partnerships. Prior hires had proven too narrow in scope, lacking the strategic vision and generalist capability the business required.
Solution Delivered by Executive Coalition:
We launched a targeted, confidential search focused on senior legal professionals with:
10+ years of U.S. pharmaceutical legal experience
Product launch readiness and commercial law expertise
Confidence in advising senior stakeholders across departments
Broad generalist skills covering contracts, compliance, promotional, and regulatory law
In partnership with the U.S. leadership team, we presented a shortlist of experienced professionals positioned to take ownership quickly and act as trusted advisors across the business.
Outcome:
✔ Legal Director placed within 5 weeks
✔ Executive now supports promotional approvals, commercial growth, and regulatory compliance
✔ Leadership confidence restored ahead of product launch
✔ Legal now acts as a true business partner, not a reactive function
What This Means for You:
When you need a legal leader who can operate with clarity, confidence, and cross-functional authority—especially in a fast-paced, regulated environment—Executive Coalition delivers more than candidates. We deliver readiness.
Location: Hybrid (Pennsylvania, U.S.)
Challenge:
Following a failed executive hire, the client urgently required a Legal Director with deep pharmaceutical experience—someone capable of advising on promotional law, regulatory compliance, and commercial contracts in preparation for a major product launch.
The existing legal structure lacked the senior leadership needed to confidently advise on cross-functional matters and support the company’s entry into new markets, including government contracts and clinical partnerships. Prior hires had proven too narrow in scope, lacking the strategic vision and generalist capability the business required.
Solution Delivered by Executive Coalition:
We launched a targeted, confidential search focused on senior legal professionals with:
10+ years of U.S. pharmaceutical legal experience
Product launch readiness and commercial law expertise
Confidence in advising senior stakeholders across departments
Broad generalist skills covering contracts, compliance, promotional, and regulatory law
In partnership with the U.S. leadership team, we presented a shortlist of experienced professionals positioned to take ownership quickly and act as trusted advisors across the business.
Outcome:
✔ Legal Director placed within 5 weeks
✔ Executive now supports promotional approvals, commercial growth, and regulatory compliance
✔ Leadership confidence restored ahead of product launch
✔ Legal now acts as a true business partner, not a reactive function
What This Means for You:
When you need a legal leader who can operate with clarity, confidence, and cross-functional authority—especially in a fast-paced, regulated environment—Executive Coalition delivers more than candidates. We deliver readiness.
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