Case Studies
Where the mandate
determined the outcome.
Three searches. Three different decisions. One principle.
R&D
Boston Scientific
Associate Senior Fellow
Intracardiac Echocardiography
Context
Post-acquisition, ICE expertise was required at a level not reflected in the structure.
Constraint
No role existed. Forcing the hire into the structure would limit impact and create misalignment.
Decision
Mandate redesigned around capability. Fellow-level role created and approved at CEO level before search began.
Outcome
Rare expertise secured. Full impact delivered without restructuring.
Regulatory
Impulse Dynamics
VP Regulatory | CCM Therapy
Impulse Dynamics
Context
Immediate VP Regulatory need against active programme timelines. Quality ownership requirement already emerging.
Trade-off
Hire quickly for Regulatory only — or design a mandate that removes a future search.
Decision
Mandate expanded to include Regulatory and Quality before search began.
Outcome
One hire. Cross-functional ownership. Future restructuring avoided.
R&D
ALPCO
VP R&D
Molecular Diagnostics
Context
Eight-month retained search failed. Location and technical depth were non-negotiable.
Common failure point
Broaden the brief. Lower expectations. Move the role. All compromise the outcome.
Decision
Mandate unchanged. Evaluation redesigned to assess true fit — not proximity to it.
Outcome
VP R&D secured without compromise. NGS capability established within original constraints.
The Pattern
1
Redefine the role
2
Expand the mandate
3
Protect the constraints
The right decision changes. Making it before execution does not.