The Opportunity

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A well-established Leading International Sports Company, rapidly expanding its European operations, faced a sudden and critical leadership void in its finance function. The Senior Finance Manager – Group Reporting, responsible for the monthly close and consolidated reporting, was unexpectedly required to relocate back to Australia at extremely short notice.

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With the year-end approaching and multiple strategic initiatives already underway, this was a high-pressure situation. The business urgently required an experienced interim leader who could step into the role almost immediately to provide hands-on support and continuity to the Finance Director.

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The Challenge

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The search demanded exceptional speed and precision, as the requirement was for a niche leader who could hit the ground running with zero time for extensive onboarding. The successful candidate had to possess a rare combination of attributes:

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• Expert knowledge in technical finance, including group consolidation, reporting, and business partnering
• Essential experience within the highly commercial sports, retail, or consumer-focused industries.
• The ability to provide confident team leadership during a period of transition and high-stakes financial activity
• A non-negotiable requirement to start within a week

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The short turnaround amplified the risk, making the swift, accurate sourcing of a highly specialist interim professional paramount.

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The Approach

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Recognising that the client was facing an imminent operational risk, the search strategy was an immediate, high-speed activation of trusted networks:

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1. Immediate Network Mobilisation

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We bypassed traditional search methods, immediately targeting our pre-vetted network of senior interim finance professionals known for their technical capability and proven ability to start instantly.

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2. Focus on True Availability

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The search was laser-focused only on candidates who were genuinely available to start within days, eliminating any delay caused by long notice periods.

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3. 48-Hour Shortlist Delivery

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Within just 48 hours, we delivered a tightly curated shortlist of three highly experienced Senior Finance Managers who possessed the required sector background and leadership experience.

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4. Accelerated Process

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We coordinated an extremely fast-tracked interview schedule and expedited referencing to ensure all candidate checks were completed without compromising the client’s timeline.

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The Outcome

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The client swiftly selected a highly capable Senior Finance Manager with an ideal background in global sportswear and retail brands.

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Crucially, we secured the candidate's start date within five days of receiving the initial mandate, ensuring zero disruption to business-critical financial processes and stability for the Finance Director.

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The interim’s swift placement delivered immediate key outcomes:

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• Seamless continuity for the month-end close and group reporting functions
• Effective leadership and support for the finance team throughout the transition period
• Uninterrupted budgeting and forecasting cycles during a critical phase
• Strong support provided to commercial teams, enabling them to proceed with strategic initiatives without delay

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In Their Own Words:

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"The speed of delivery was the standout factor. The ability to source, shortlist, and secure the right candidate within a week prevented operational risk and maintained performance standards during a critical time. We are now considering extending the interim’s remit due to the strong impact they have already made." – Finance Director, Leading International Sports Company

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Highlight Stats

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48 Hours: Time taken to deliver the final, highly-vetted shortlist

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5 Days: Time from initial mandate to the successful candidate starting the role

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Zero: Interruption to business-critical month-end close and group reporting

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Want to learn more about how we can support your hiring needs? Get in touch with our I&C Accounting & Finance team here