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Strategic CFO Search
A private equity-backed specialty manufacturing/ distribution company with $150M in revenue was preparing for rapid growth and a future exit event. The portfolio company needed a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) who could manage complex financial reporting, partner with the PE sponsor, and lead the organization through operational improvements.
The client had attempted to fill the CFO role on their own without success. The candidates they interviewed lacked a combination of PE experience and operational finance expertise, and prior search efforts had not addressed cultural fit. With a demanding board and tight timelines, the company needed a search partner who could not only identify qualified candidates but also evaluate them against the unique requirements of a PE-backed environment.
KLR began by engaging deeply with the company’s leadership team and the private equity sponsor. We conducted stakeholder interviews to define the technical and cultural attributes critical for success. Leveraging the resources of our parent accounting and advisory firm, we tapped partners who regularly work with CFOs of PE-backed companies to provide insight into the specific financial, reporting, and compliance demands.
KLR’s research team mapped the market across relevant industries, benchmarking compensation and identifying leaders who had successfully guided companies through both growth phases and transactions. We applied rigorous vetting, including technical evaluations and cultural alignment assessments, before presenting candidates.
Discovery & Alignment: Conducted interviews with board members, CEO, and sponsor to align on expectations.
Market Mapping: Identified 150+ potential candidates across manufacturing, distribution, and industrial sectors.
Candidate Evaluation: Narrowed to a shortlist of five executives, each with prior PE-backed experience.
Board Engagement: Facilitated interviews and provided data-driven assessments to ensure stakeholder alignment.
Within eight weeks, KLR successfully placed a CFO who had previously led finance transformations at two PE-backed industrial companies. The new CFO quickly established credibility with both management and investors. Within the first year, they:
"The depth of knowledge the KLR team brought, particularly their ability to vet technical and cultural fit with insights from their accounting colleagues was invaluable. We now have a CFO who has transformed the way we operate and communicate with our investors."
- CEO, Portfolio Company
Our executive search team can help you identify, evaluate, and place C-suite leaders who drive growth, operational excellence, and long-term value.
