Securing a Head of Legal with Language and Industry Expertise

Client:

A well-established Singapore-based trading company, specializing in crude and refined products, faced a pressing challenge: they needed a highly qualified Head of Legal to provide strategic guidance and ensure compliance in a complex, high-risk trading environment. The client had engaged another search firm for weeks without success in finding a suitable candidate who met their requirements. The client sought our expertise to fill the role quickly and efficiently.

Challenges:

Given the urgent need to fill a senior leadership legal role in a trading business, where providing strategic and commercial legal advice are crucial for smooth operations and risk management, we initiated a targeted recruitment process. The candidate must be capable of leading the legal and compliance department and ensuring the company's continued success in a highly complex trade environment. But the most challenging part was finding a candidate who had to meet all three requirements:

• Legal Expertise: Deep knowledge of international legal and regulatory compliance matters, capable of advising on complex cross-border transactions.

• Industry Knowledge: A comprehensive understanding of the oil trading sector.

• Language Fluency: Proficiency in Chinese, given the firm’s significant volume of business in China.

Our Solution: Expertise Meets Network

We leveraged our extensive expertise and established network to identify the ideal candidate quickly. Our comprehensive approach involved:

• Targeted Search: We meticulously mapped and screened professionals with a precise mix of legal expertise, oil trading industry experience, and business-level Chinese skills. This focused approach ensured that only the most relevant candidates were shortlisted.

• Rapid Response: Understanding the urgency of the role, we prioritized this search. Within one week, we had shortlisted a candidate who not only met but exceeded the client’s criteria.

• Swift Placement: After presenting the ideal candidate, the client moved quickly to initiate interviews. Within two weeks, the candidate was hired, ensuring the client had the legal support which minimized disruption to their operations.

Results: A Successful Match 

The client was highly impressed with the speed and quality of the candidate presented. They promptly commenced the interview process when they received the candidate profile. Recognizing a perfect fit, the client extended an offer to the candidate and successfully filled the critical role within two weeks. This quick resolution not only met the client's expectations but ensured that their legal and compliance operations continued seamlessly without disruption.

Conclusion:

This case study demonstrates our ability to solve urgent recruitment challenges without compromising quality. By combining in-depth industry knowledge with a vast network of top-tier talent, provided a solution that surpassed the client’s expectations. Our targeted approach ensured the timely placement of a highly qualified individual, proving our commitment to excellence in executive search.