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When Eastlight Community Homes learned their interim Head of Finance was preparing to leave, the clock immediately started ticking. The organisation relies heavily on this role, not just for financial oversight, but for the day-to-day leadership of a 12-person team responsible for core financial control, reporting, and development. Any gap in this leadership risked operational disruption at a time when stability was essential.
Yet replacing the role was not as simple as finding someone with finance experience. Eastlight Community Homes needed a leader with a rare combination of attributes:
• Technical strength in financial accounting and control
• Proven people leadership to inspire, develop, and elevate an established team
• Sector fluency or an ability to quickly understand the nuances of social housing
And all of this had to be accomplished under extreme time pressure. A seamless handover was the goal, but only if the right person could be found fast.
Given the stakes, the search strategy had to be both highly targeted and immediately actionable. Rather than starting from scratch, we moved quickly and decisively using a two-pronged, accelerated approach:
1. Activate trusted networks to gain instant traction
Because of long-standing relationships within the finance and housing sectors, we were able to tap into a pre-vetted network of senior professionals who were already known quantities: individuals with the technical depth and leadership capability the role demanded. This created an early wave of credible candidates who could be moved swiftly through the process.
2. Run a precise passive-market campaign to broaden reach
In parallel, we launched a focused, highly tailored outreach campaign on LinkedIn, targeting passive professionals who were not actively seeking new roles but whose experience aligned closely with the brief. This expanded the talent pool while maintaining quality and relevance.
Within days, interest began building. Within two weeks, Eastlight Community Homes received a refined shortlist of five exceptional candidates, each capable of stepping into the role with confidence. The urgency never compromised the search; instead, it sharpened it.
By week three, an offer was made and accepted—comfortably meeting the deadline for leadership continuity. The successful candidate immediately demonstrated the right mix of technical strength, financial control experience, and people leadership, ensuring the finance team maintained momentum without disruption.
Early feedback confirmed they were an “excellent candidate” who had “met all of our requirements,” quickly earning trust and providing stability during the transition. Their calm, professional approach helped strengthen team confidence and brought welcome clarity to ongoing priorities.
More importantly, the process delivered something Eastlight Community Homes valued deeply: a recruitment experience that felt steady, strategic, and genuinely collaborative, despite the pressure.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working as a client over the last 12 months and cannot express enough gratitude for the invaluable guidance and expertise in the finance industry. My consultant has an extensive understanding of the finance sector, including its intricate dynamics, trends and specialised roles. I feel that the time is taken to thoroughly understand our recruitment needs, organisational culture and preferences.
“If you are an employer or finance professional seeking a recruitment consultancy who understands the complexities of the industry and is dedicated to helping you achieve your organisation or career objectives, I highly recommend.” – Talent Acquisition Manager at Eastlight Community Homes
2 weeks: From mandate to shortlist
3 weeks: From mandate to offer
Zero: Interruption to leadership continuity
• 5 Fully qualified candidates shortlisted in 2 weeks
• 3 Weeks from search launch to accepted offer
• 12-Person finance team supported with zero interruption to leadership continuity
Want to learn more about how we can support your hiring needs? Get in touch with our Housing Finance team here
Get in touch with Scott to discuss this case study in more detail: scott.jones@goodmanmasson.com
Rapidly Securing a Finance Leader Who Could Step In Without Missing a Beat
