Client:
A European industrial manufacturer was establishing a new U.S. operation and they sought a site-based Director of Finance to help shape this venture. Because both the location and the position were new, the organization was not simply replacing an established leader or inheriting a mature function. It needed someone who could build the accounting and finance foundation, introduce scalable processes and controls, and build a team while supporting the day-to-day demands of a growing operation.
The ideal candidate would combine strong accounting and operational finance expertise with the ability to set direction and remain closely engaged in execution. The role also required experience working across multiple entities, supporting growth within an evolving environment, and communicating effectively with senior decision-makers based outside the United States.
Partnership:
The client engaged with Truity Partners after receiving a trusted referral from their joint venture partner. Our specialization in accounting and finance made the assignment a natural fit, while our executive search experience and national reach positioned us well in guiding the hiring team on this important first hire.
Before launching outreach, we worked with U.S. and international stakeholders to translate role expectations into a successful profile. Together, we clarified the capabilities required at hire and defined what progress should look like at various stages of their tenure. This created alignment around a leader who could build the function for the future without losing sight of immediate operational needs.
Our Unique Value:
As our search began, the team discovered that the surrounding market offered a limited concentration of professionals with both manufacturing experience and the accounting and finance depth needed for the role. Our team conducted focused market mapping and cultivated a targeted list of prospective candidates in the surrounding area, assessing adjacent backgrounds where appropriate while protecting the requirements that mattered most.
The engagement also involved extensive coordination across locations and time zones. Truity Partners kept U.S.-based stakeholders, international decision-makers, and candidates aligned throughout the process. When finalists advanced to in-person meetings overseas, our team coordinated international travel, accommodations, and interview logistics. By taking ownership of these details, we reduced friction for the client and candidates and allowed the hiring team to stay focused on evaluation and long-term fit.
Process:
With the successful candidate profile established, our team built a focused research strategy around professionals who combined manufacturing finance knowledge, a strong accounting foundation, and the ability to operate in a multi-site, entrepreneurial setting. Outreach emphasized the opportunity to shape a function rather than simply maintain one, helping prospective candidates understand both the challenge and the long-term impact of the role.
Because the qualified local talent pool was narrow, the search required sustained, highly personalized engagement rather than broad sourcing. We continued to calibrate with stakeholders as the market responded, presented a select group of candidates whose experience aligned with the client’s priorities, and supported interview planning and feedback discussions across U.S. and international teams.
Results:
After conducting on-site interviews overseas, the client selected a finance leader with the technical grounding, hands-on operating style, and strategic perspective needed for their newly established function. The successful candidate brought experience working within a larger organizational structure while demonstrating the adaptability required to build processes, support growth, and manage immediate priorities in a developing operation.
Throughout the engagement, Truity Partners served as more than a recruiting partner. Our team worked alongside stakeholders to define the role, establish meaningful success measures, identify talent in a challenging market, and manage a multi-country interview process. The result was a successful hire and a strong foundation for the organization’s continued growth.