International Chemical Company Succession Planning

The Client

Industry: Chemical 

Challenge: Head of Tax Succession 

Scale: International company with Fortune 100 joint-parent companies

The Challenge: A Complex Transition

In 2016, an international chemical company faced a critical juncture:

• Leadership Vacuum: The Head of Tax was set to retire in July 2016.
• Multi-Stakeholder Approval: The new hire needed to satisfy both the operating company and two Fortune 100 joint-parent companies.
• Failed Initial Search: A previous search firm had been unsuccessful in filling the position.
• Time Pressure: The incumbent's retirement date was approaching with no replacement in sight.

The Imperative: Seamless Succession

The company needed to:

• Navigate Complexity: Find a candidate capable of managing the intricate tax operations of an international chemical company.
• Satisfy Multiple Stakeholders: Meet the varied criteria of all financial leadership members across three companies.
• Overcome Timing Challenges: Recruit top talent during Q4, a notoriously difficult period due to year-end responsibilities and pending bonuses.

TaxSearch Turns Challenge into Opportunity

TaxSearch was engaged after the initial search failure and implemented a strategic approach:

• Comprehensive Needs Analysis: Conducted an in-depth analysis to balance requirements from all three constituent groups.
• Dual Search Strategy:
  1. Exhaustive local market search, uncovering five strong candidates overlooked by the previous firm.
  2. Simultaneous national search, identifying four additional high-caliber candidates from outside the local market.
• Industry Intelligence: Leveraged deep network in the tax leadership community to gain crucial insights on candidate motivations and compensation expectations.

The Results: A Perfect Match

Successful Placement: Despite the challenging timing and previously tapped local market, TaxSearch successfully placed a new Head of Tax who met the varied criteria of all financial leadership members.

The TaxSearch Effect

• Crisis Navigation: We excel in high-stakes recruitment, turning seemingly insurmountable challenges into opportunities for transformation.
• Talent Alchemy: Our unique ability to identify and attract game-changing professionals goes beyond filling roles—we build legacies.
• Strategic Foresight: We don't just staff departments; we construct teams strategically positioned to drive financial turnarounds and long-term success.
• Network Amplification: Our placements create a ripple effect, establishing a far-reaching network of tax leadership that spans industries and decades.
• Long-term Partnership: Our commitment extends beyond initial placement, as evidenced by ongoing collaborations with placed executives throughout their careers.

The TaxSearch Difference

At TaxSearch, we don't simply fill positions – we architect success stories. Leveraging deep industry knowledge, a vast professional network, and strategic acumen, we help corporate in-house tax departments and financial leadership build and sustain world-class tax teams. Whether navigating crises, driving growth, or maintaining stability, our clients recognize the power of tax to strengthen their organizations and position them for future success.

Ready to turn your challenges into opportunities for transformation? Contact TaxSearch today and experience the power of strategic talent acquisition.