An innovative, high-growth software company focused on revolutionizing the automotive industry recently partnered with Pender & Howe to fill a mission-critical Director of Business Development role.
Fresh off a successful Series A funding round, the company was poised to enter a new growth phase and needed a dynamic leader to spearhead client acquisition and an ambitious expansion plan.
Main challenges
Like many disruptive tech firms, our client was navigating an inflection point in their growth trajectory. To capitalize on opportunities and achieve their ambitious goals, they needed an experienced leader who could make an immediate impact and propel the company vision – from day one. Unfortunately, a previous appointment for the Director of Business Development role had failed to meet expectations due to a lack of established relationships within the target client base.
The company was now looking for a high-performing leader with
- Specialized industry knowledge
- An intensive network of industry relationships
- Excellent relationship-building capabilities
- A proven track record of spearheading strategic growth initiatives
Pender & Howe's process began with in-depth consultations to fully immerse ourselves in the client's culture and understand the specific leadership competencies needed for success. Leveraging cutting-edge digital tools, we then mapped the competitive landscape within automotive technology and software-defined vehicles (SDV).
This allowed us to identify similar companies that had recently secured funding, potentially housing a pool of high-calibre candidates. We also analyzed the largest industry trade show to ensure no key players were overlooked and then facilitated introductory meetings for the client while they exhibited at the show.
