The role of the Chief Financial Officer has fundamentally changed. Today's CFO is no longer solely responsible for financial oversight, but serves as a strategic sparring partner within the leadership team.
A modern CFO is just as focused on growth, transformation and decision-making as on control and risk management.
Odgers supports organisations in strengthening their leadership teams with CFOs who not only excel analytically, but also demonstrate strong interpersonal and strategic capabilities.
Our executive search approach within CFO & Financial Management is designed to meet the demands of today and tomorrow.
At Odgers, we look for CFOs who go beyond the numbers. Leaders who not only evaluate scenarios and financial outcomes, but also actively contribute to strategic challenges such as mergers, ESG initiatives and digital transformation.
Professionals who remain decisive in complex situations, build connections between stakeholders and strengthen organisational culture.
Through our international network and deep understanding of the Dutch market, we identify financial leaders who contribute to the long-term success of organisations at every level of the financial function.
The CFO is increasingly the link between financial performance and business strategy.
Where the role was once primarily focused on control and compliance, today’s CFO is expected to provide forward-looking leadership. CFOs play a central role in decisions relating to investment, sustainability, digitalisation, supply chain management and international expansion.
They identify risks, monitor performance and ensure that strategic decisions remain financially sound and executable.
Within private equity, listed companies and family-owned businesses, the CFO provides stability and direction – particularly when organisations are undergoing change.
Expectations of CFOs have increased significantly in recent years. Financial leaders are expected to provide direction while maintaining control in a dynamic environment shaped by technological, societal and strategic developments. This requires a combination of:
For organisations, this means that traditional recruitment methods are no longer sufficient.
An effective CFO must fit the organisation’s culture, be able to keep pace with change and operate effectively between the boardroom and the operational side of the business. It is about more than matching a CV: only through a deep understanding of leadership competencies, contextual fit and future vision can an appointment create lasting impact.
Get in touch to discuss your executive search or leadership development needs.
Find a consultant Make an enquiryRecruiting a CFO requires more than simply ticking off a list of qualifications.
Vision, leadership style, ethics and cultural fit are just as critical. A mismatch at this level can have a direct impact on performance, trust and organisational continuity. That is why executive search is not a luxury, but a necessity when appointing CFOs.
Only through deep market knowledge, a structured selection process and a strong understanding of context can organisations build sustainable financial leadership teams.
At Odgers, we look beyond the CV. We assess motivations, leadership potential and the impact a candidate will have on the wider leadership team.
Our experience supporting strategic transformations across sectors such as financial services, technology, healthcare and government has taught us what financial leadership requires at different stages of growth – from scale-ups to multinational organisations.
Our added value lies in our ability to identify underlying dynamics: unspoken expectations, team dynamics and latent organisational challenges.
We translate these insights into leadership profiles that address today’s requirements while anticipating tomorrow’s needs. This is how we create financial leadership with long-term impact.
Odgers specialises in identifying, selecting and supporting financial leaders.
Our consultants have extensive experience in executive search across the financial domain – from CFOs and Finance Directors to Group Controllers and Chief Risk Officers.
We understand what it takes to succeed in these critical leadership roles: not only technical expertise, but also leadership behaviour, communication style and the ability to create visible impact. Our experience shows that the most successful finance leaders combine courage, composure and vision.
We work with clients across a wide range of sectors – from private equity-backed businesses and scale-ups to listed companies and public-sector organisations.
Context is always at the centre of our approach:
This enables us to deliver appointments that provide more than stability alone: financial leaders who drive growth and transformation.
Recruiting a CFO is rarely a standard assignment.
The number of leaders with proven experience in strategic financial management is limited – particularly when additional requirements are involved, such as international exposure, digital transformation expertise or experience with ESG-related challenges.
Cultural fit is equally critical. A CFO must not only demonstrate professional credibility, but also earn the trust of the CEO, the board and external stakeholders.
This complexity requires a tailored approach. Odgers has access to an extensive network of candidates. We know where exceptional talent can be found and how to engage it. Discreetly, purposefully and effectively.
A successful CFO search begins with asking the right questions. What does your organisation truly need from its next financial leader?
At Odgers, we do not start with the CV. We start with context: your strategy, governance structure, stage of growth and organisational culture form the foundation of our approach.
Only when we fully understand that context do we develop a search profile that goes beyond traditional job requirements. We explicitly define soft skills, leadership style and future challenges, ensuring that the profile provides both direction and focus.
Our consultants then conduct a comprehensive market analysis. We combine local market intelligence with international benchmarks and identify alternative pathways when the profile or market conditions require them.
This results in a longlist of candidates who not only possess the required expertise, but also have the ability to create impact in complex environments.
Following interviews, assessments and reference checks, we present a shortlist of candidates who are both professionally qualified and culturally aligned.
Our involvement does not end there. We continue to support onboarding and remain actively involved during the first months following appointment to help ensure sustainable performance within the leadership team.
Interested in learning how this approach can support your CFO challenge? Contact us.
We advise and guide our clients in finding executive leaders across every sector.
Our approach is built around three core elements: Identify, Build and Develop.
During the Identify phase, we look beyond the role itself. We analyse strategic objectives, team dynamics, cultural characteristics and external developments. This results in a profile that goes beyond a job description – it becomes a framework for sustainable selection.
During the Build phase, we identify candidates who not only match the requirements of the role, but also strengthen the leadership team from a strategic perspective. We assess experience, behavioural style and complementarity.
During the Develop phase, we support onboarding, provide executive coaching and contribute to the long-term development of leadership within the organisation. In doing so, we build lasting leadership capability rather than providing a temporary solution.
Selecting leaders at the highest level requires more than experience and intuition – it requires objective validation. That is why we combine decades of practical experience with data-driven methodologies.
Through structured interviews, behavioural assessments, personality models and benchmark data, we reduce bias and increase the predictability of success. This enables us to identify leaders who fit not only the role, but also the team, processes and ambitions of your organisation.
Our tools are scientifically validated and continuously refined based on new insights and practical experience. We assess candidates against both hard and soft criteria: from expertise and track record to cultural fit and leadership potential.
The result? CFOs who do not simply fit the role, but make a meaningful difference.
Big enough to matter, small enough to care – that is how Odgers makes a difference. We combine the strength of a global network with the dedication of a local partner.
Our consultants operate with deep sector expertise, extensive knowledge of the Dutch market and the ability to act quickly when needed. We are large enough to support complex C-level CFO searches, yet small enough to truly listen, think alongside our clients and remain closely involved throughout the entire process.
Whether it concerns a listed company, a family-owned business or a fast-growing scale-up, we understand the context and provide a tailored approach. From our Amsterdam office, we build long-term relationships with both clients and candidates – discreetly, thoughtfully and with a focus on the future.
Odgers covers the full spectrum of financial leadership.
From CFOs in listed companies to Finance Directors within family-owned businesses, private equity portfolio companies and scale-ups. We also recruit finance managers, group controllers, risk officers and audit professionals, provided they combine strategic leadership with functional expertise.
Our clients operate across sectors including financial services, technology, industry, healthcare and government. What all these sectors have in common is the need for financial leaders who think ahead, embrace digital transformation and create value on both a financial and societal level.
The demand for leaders with the ability to drive change continues to grow. Professionals who do more than report results – they provide direction. Leaders who understand ESG requirements, stakeholder dynamics and governance challenges, and who can navigate these effectively.
It is at this level that the difference between a good and an exceptional appointment becomes clear. That is why we take the time to understand the role, the stage of growth and the specific sector challenges, ensuring that every placement strengthens financial leadership for the long term.
Whether you are facing an immediate replacement, navigating a strategic growth phase or seeking to further professionalise your financial leadership, we combine speed with depth and discretion with decisiveness.
Our approach is always tailored to the specific context, because every CFO appointment comes with its own opportunities, challenges and leadership requirements..
Are you looking for a CFO or financial leader who can shape the future of your organisation? Or would you like to discuss the composition of your finance leadership team? The consultants at Odgers are happy to think alongside you.
Contact us for an exploratory conversation. Together, we build sustainable financial leadership.
With over 50 years' experience, Odgers combines deep market insight with a holistic approach that looks beyond the CV. We identify candidates based on cultural fit, strategic vision and future perspective. Leaders who not only suit your current context, but are also prepared for tomorrow's challenges.
Discover our approachThe costs depend on the seniority of the role, the complexity of the profile, and the scope of the assignment. We work with transparent pricing: either a fixed fee or a percentage of the annual salary, tailored to your preference.
In all cases, our approach is defined by quality, bespoke service and sustainability — not quick placements, but leaders who add lasting value.
Because today's CFOs are more than the senior financial lead. They are strategic sounding board, digital driver and risk guardian all at once.
Odgers understands that complexity. With deep market knowledge, a holistic approach and an international network, we build leadership that truly makes a difference.
Subscribe to our global newsletter to discover our latest insights, opinions and featured articles.