Project Description

VP of Commercial Operations Search for an Oncology-Focused Biotech Firm

Our client was the developer of a new product that would be marketed to oncologists. So they needed a commercial leader with strong oncology sales and marketing experience. And that is why they selected COSI to conduct the search for their first Vice President of Commercial Operations to lead their sales and marketing efforts as they prepared to launch the product into the market. The management team was under pressure to get a commercial executive in place to prepare for the upcoming launch. A timely but thorough search was required. Because of our focused niche and experience placing similar executives, our firm was selected for the task. The search was initiated on a Tuesday and a detailed profile of the role and company was developed and agreed to by Thursday. The networking began immediately and before the weekend, we had 13 interested candidates that were in similar roles at oncology-focused biotech companies.

During the next two weeks candidates updated their resumes, we conducted 90 minute interviews with the top ten candidates and we narrowed the list to four candidates who would interview with the management team onsite. The first interview with the management team took place two weeks from the start of the search. Along the way, we were checking references and narrowing the field. The top three finalists interviewed with the Board of Directors the following week and all three were given the thumbs up by the Board as worthy of consideration. After much discussion and deliberation over the weekend, an offer was extended, negotiated, and accepted, 37 days from the commencement of the search. Periodic reports from the CEO continue to encourage us and solidify our belief that, despite the tight timeline, we delivered another long-term success to both our client and candidate.