Recruiting Exceptional CFO Talent for the Life Sciences Industry

With over 400 successful life science CFO placements, S. Webster Executive Search provides unparalleled expertise in recruiting senior financial executives for life science companies.
A Level of Specialization Unlike Any Other
Other executive search firms may specialize in life sciences executives or finance executives—but we bring unmatched expertise in both. For over 35 years, our unique combination of specialization, experience, and methodology has removed the risk in CFO hiring. We have conducted executive assessments on over 2,000 life science senior finance executives, equipping us with unparalleled insights into both the skills required for financial leadership and the personality and interpersonal dynamics that determine long-term success.

Beyond this, our decades in the industry have enabled us to cultivate one of the most extensive proprietary networks of life science CFOs. Through these long-standing relationships, we gain access to top-tier candidates who are not actively seeking new roles and are unavailable to most recruiters.
We combine this highly specialized network—and our proprietary database of over 16,000 life science companies—with advanced AI-powered data extraction and analysis tools, enabling us to identify and engage ideal candidates more quickly and precisely than traditional search firms.
A Search Process That Ensures the Right Fit

We partner closely with our clients to define both immediate challenges and long-term strategic goals, ensuring that every CFO search aligns with the company’s financial and business objectives.

Understanding Your Company’s Needs

Our process begins with a detailed candidate profile, developed through in-depth collaboration with the CEO and senior executive team. This allows us to:
  • Clarify the specific professional skills and experience required to meet your company’s financial and operational needs. ​
  • Assess corporate culture, interpersonal team dynamics, and the CEO’s leadership style to ensure an optimal executive-team fit. ​
  • Go beyond résumés—evaluating not just financial expertise but also personality, leadership approach, and ability to thrive within your organizational culture.
The Strength of Our Network
We believe we have the largest proprietary network of life science CFOs and senior finance executives in the executive search industry.

This network comprises the top financial minds in life sciences, professionals who have built careers navigating the unique financial, regulatory, and strategic challenges of biotech, pharmaceuticals, and medtech innovation.

With long-standing relationships built over decades, these CFOs know us, trust us, and engage with us in ways they do not with most recruiters. This insider access allows us to connect clients with extraordinary candidates who would otherwise be unreachable.
Combining Expertise with Advanced AI
  • We pair human insight with cutting-edge technology to deliver unparalleled speed and accuracy in executive search.
  • Proprietary Database of 16,000+ Life Science Companies – We identify the organizations where your ideal candidate is most likely to be found.
  • AI-Powered Data Extraction & Analysis – Our advanced tools locate potential candidates, create detailed profiles, and provide deep insights before we even make contact.
  • Active Recruitment – Matching candidates are proactively engaged, screened, and interviewed, ensuring that only the most qualified individuals are presented to our clients.
Comprehensive Candidate Evaluation
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Our candidate assessment matrix is the result of nearly four decades of executive assessments, interviews, and research. It has been continually refined through long-term outcome tracking and adaptation to industry shifts.
Each candidate is assessed on:
  • Cognitive ability, leadership, and financial expertise
  • Strategic and situational judgment
  • Interpersonal skills and cultural fit
  • Motivation, work ethic, and ability to thrive and adapt under pressure
After extensive screening, we prepare detailed written candidate assessments, which we provide to our clients alongside verbal briefings. This ensures a deeper understanding of each candidate before the interview process even begins.
Guiding You Through Every Stage of the Hiring Process
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Our involvement does not end when candidates are presented. We remain deeply engaged through:

✔ Interview Coordination & Feedback – We assist in structuring interviews, gathering feedback, and refining selection criteria based on client preferences.

✔ In-Depth Reference & Background Checks – With decades of experience conducting high-level executive reference interviews, we extract nuanced insights that go beyond standard reference checks.

✔ Compensation Structuring & Negotiation – We advise on structuring competitive yet cost-effective compensation packages, ensuring alignment between company goals and candidate expectations.
✔ Resignation & Transition Management – Once a candidate accepts an offer, we help them navigate the resignation process, avoiding counteroffers and ensuring a smooth transition.

✔ Post-Placement Support – For six months post-placement, we maintain contact with the CFO and company leadership, addressing any early concerns before they escalate into challenges.
The S. Webster Executive Search Difference

  • Unmatched Specialization – We are exclusively focused on CFOs and senior finance executives for the life sciences industry.
  • ​Deep Industry & Leadership Insight – With a PhD in Psychology and a background in finance, our founder has personally conducted over 2,000 executive assessments—giving us an unparalleled ability to assess both financial expertise and leadership compatibility.
  • The Largest Proprietary Network of Life Science CFOs – Our long-standing industry relationships allow us to connect with top-tier talent that other recruiters simply cannot access.
  • Faster, More Accurate Searches – By combining decades of experience with AI-driven search methodologies, we deliver results faster and with greater precision than traditional executive search firms.

✅ Zero Conflict of Interest – We never conduct simultaneous competing searches, ensuring that each client receives our full focus and commitment.