Rebuilding Commercial Leadership in Digital Health
Primary Role: Senior Commercial Leader (US) - VP/SVP Commercial / Head of Partnerships
INDUSTRY
Digital Health / CRO
Services
Executive Search
Regions
United States & Europe
Turning a Failed Hire into a Strategic Win in Digital Health
A PE-backed digital health company specialising in Electronic Data Capture (EDC) and clinical outcomes needed to accelerate its US market expansion.
After a failed senior hire by another firm, the leadership team turned to GenSearch to identify a commercial leader who could build partnerships across pharma, biotech, MedTech, and CROs – while aligning with the company’s culture and mission.
Through a transparent, cross-Atlantic executive search, GenSearch delivered a short list of five candidates including two outstanding finalists and secured a successful appointment.
Company Profile
Sector
PE-backed provider of digital solutions & services to biotech, CRO, and pharma
Size
150–200 employees across Europe and the US
Mission
Simplify clinical data capture and reduce trial complexity
Objective
Hire an American senior commercial leader to drive partnerships and revenue growth
The Challenge
A previous hire (via another search firm) failed to perform, leaving the position vacant after probation.
The Board and CEO needed to recover lost time, rebuild confidence, and meet ambitious commercial milestones.
They required a trusted life sciences executive search partner with digital health expertise and cross-Atlantic reach.
Our Approach
How GenSearch delivered results through transparency, expertise, and strategic insight
01
Upfront Collaboration with the CEO
We spent the time necessary with the CEO to build trust and then clarified the leadership profile, cultural fit, and US go-to-market priorities. Together in partnership, we built a compelling value proposition to attract top-tier talent.
02
A Sharper Employer Value Proposition
We highlighted the company’s mission, product innovation, and PE-backed growth trajectory, appealing to commercially driven leaders beyond traditional CRO competitors.
03
Expanding the Talent Universe
We mapped candidates not only from digital health, but also from data/analytics and adjacent SaaS sectors supporting clinical development.
04
Transparent, Structured Process
Regular updates and real-time market benchmarking kept the client informed enabling them to fine-tune the profile as insights emerged.
Every search is managed by a senior client partner from start to finish — ensuring consistency, accountability, and discretion.
Implementation Highlights: How the Search Delivered Results
- Targeted cross-Atlantic executive search (US + Europe)
- No immediate “plug-and-play” candidates – so we leveraged our extensive network and real-time benchmarking to refine the ideal profile
- CEO adjusted requirements based on insightful market feedback (territory focus, partnership mix, team build)
“GenSearch’s transparency and cross-market insight helped us rebuild momentum after a difficult hire.”
– Anonymous, PE-backed Digital Health Company
Rebuilding Commercial Leadership in Digital Health
Why It Matters
Choosing the right partner for commercial leadership in digital health isn’t just about filling a role — it’s about securing momentum for growth.
10
candidates interviewed by GenSearch
5
shortlisted for client interviews
2
finalists taken through final rounds
Offer accepted based on cultural alignment and commercial impact
GenSearch Insights: Lessons from Digital Health Recruitment
Why It Matters
In digital health and CRO expansion, the wrong early commercial hire can derail strategy. A transparent process, live market feedback, and a broadened candidate pool ensure leadership DNA aligns with growth ambitions before the offer stage.
“They wanted full transparency to make an informed decision — we provided it. That clarity allowed them to choose with confidence.”
Outcome
Successful placement led to deeper ties with the client's PE backer
GenSearch engaged by another of portfolio companies as a trusted search partner
Frequently Asked Questions: Executive Search for Digital Health Leaders
Which roles were targeted?
VP/SVP Commercial, Head of Partnerships, and US General Manager in Digital Health/CRO.
How was cultural fit assessed?
Structured leadership interviews, values alignment checks, scenario-based assessments and reference checks tied to US go-to-market priorities.
Which sectors fed the shortlist?
Digital health, CRO, data/analytics, and SaaS for clinical development.
How did feedback shape the brief?
Live market insights led to adjustments in territory focus, partnership mix, and early team structure.