A demanding role, a decision-maker who was hard to convince
The profile sought by this Lausanne technology group left little room for approximation. An experienced Finance Manager, capable of overseeing multi-entity accounting and leading teams, accustomed to the constraints and deadlines of a group environment, resilient under pressure in a fast-evolving context - and ideally with a Big 4 background and fluent English. A combination of solid technical skills and managerial maturity that the French-speaking Swiss market does not produce in abundance.
The CFO, the sole decision-maker on this role, had precise expectations and made no secret of them. After six months of unsuccessful internal search and a large number of interviews conducted in-house, he had opened the mandate to several firms at once - including Fed Finance. The first candidates put forward by other firms had not been convincing. His standards had not dropped.
The interview that changed everything: seeing beyond the CV
Among the profiles identified by Thomas, one candidate stood out - though not for the right reasons at first glance. On paper, her background did not map cleanly onto the brief. A few boxes were missing, or not ticked in any obvious way. In a standard process, her application would likely never have made it past the first filter.
But Thomas chose to meet her. And that interview changed everything. Through the conversation, he understood that this candidate had exactly what the CFO was looking for: technical solidity, the ability to absorb pressure, agility in environments undergoing transformation, and the managerial maturity to bring a team together within a demanding group structure. What her CV failed to convey, she embodied entirely.
The challenge was now to convince the client.
Preparing the candidate and reworking the CV: precision work
Securing an interview with the CFO for this candidate was the real obstacle. With such a demanding decision-maker - one who had already turned down several profiles - the way the application was presented could not afford the slightest weakness.
Thomas and his team first reworked the CV together with the candidate, drawing out the most relevant elements in direct relation to the specific requirements of the role. Nothing was invented; but the information was reorganised so that the key competencies would be immediately legible to this particular type of decision-maker.
They also prepared her for the interview with surgical precision. Thanks to feedback from the client's earlier interviews with other candidates - none of which had led anywhere - Fed Finance held a detailed map of what the CFO expected, both technically and in terms of interpersonal fit. Every likely line of questioning was anticipated. The goal: to ensure the candidate walked into the interview knowing exactly what mattered to this decision-maker, in this specific context.
The outcome: the role secured, both parties satisfied
The candidate got the interview. Then the job. Since taking up her position, both the client and the candidate have expressed their satisfaction. A result that carries particular weight given the context - several firms had come up empty, and the client itself had spent six months searching without success.
This assignment reflects a core conviction at Fed Finance Switzerland: the value of a specialist consultant is not measured by the number of CVs submitted, but by their ability to see what a profile does not yet show on paper - and to create the conditions for the client to see it too.
Hiring a senior finance profile in French-speaking Switzerland?
Fed Finance Switzerland supports groups and SMEs in Geneva, Lausanne and across French-speaking Switzerland in recruiting senior finance professionals: Finance Managers, CFOs, management controllers, chief accountants and bilingual profiles for international environments. Our consultants understand what demanding decision-makers are looking for - and know how to deliver.
Frequently asked questions about Finance Manager recruitment in French-speaking Switzerland
What does a Finance Manager do in an international group in Switzerland?
A Finance Manager oversees the accounting and financial reporting of one or more group entities, manages a team, and acts as the interface with regional or global leadership. In Switzerland, this role typically requires fluent English, experience in a multi-entity environment, and the ability to operate under pressure within complex regulatory and tax frameworks.
Why work with a specialist firm to recruit a Finance Manager in Lausanne?
Experienced, bilingual Finance Managers with a group environment background are scarce on the French-speaking Swiss market. A specialist firm such as Fed Finance Switzerland brings an active network of qualified candidates and a thorough understanding of what decision-makers expect - two assets that make a real difference on complex or competitive mandates.
How does Fed Finance Switzerland stand out on a mandate open to several firms?
On a multi-firm mandate, speed of execution and quality of shortlisting are decisive. Fed Finance Switzerland invests in in-depth interviews with every candidate, rigorous preparation for the client process, and the ability to identify atypical profiles whose true value goes beyond what their CV suggests.
Does Fed Finance Switzerland recruit bilingual French-English profiles for international groups?
Yes. Fed Finance Switzerland regularly supports international groups based in French-speaking Switzerland in recruiting bilingual or trilingual finance professionals, capable of operating in multicultural and multi-entity environments.
Who told us this story?
Thomas Kern, recruitment consultant specialized in finance in Switzerland. You may take a look at his LinkedIn profile here.
