Successfully hiring a Principal Computational Chemist with a unique skill set

26 February 2025

For founders and business leaders, recruiting senior professionals is one of the most critical aspects of building a high-performing team. Effective succession planning and securing the right leadership can define the future of an organisation. Finding individuals with the right expertise, mindset, and cultural fit is essential, particularly when expanding into new markets.

The challenge

Our client secured €9.5 million in funding to expand to the UK. This presented the challenge of rapidly growing their team while ensuring they had the right people in place to drive results. Overcoming the difficulties of attracting top-tier talent in a competitive market, while balancing cultural integration and business objectives, required a strategic approach.

They faced a significant challenge in hiring a senior professional with a unique skill set. They required an individual with expertise in computational medicine, chemistry, drug discovery, and pre-clinical research, particularly in early hit identification and lead optimisation. Additionally, strong Python programming skills were essential.

Compounding the challenge was the requirement for the role to be fully onsite in London, without flexibility. Given the current hybrid working climate, this strict location requirement resulted in the client missing out on potential candidates.

The company founders sought to expand their UK operations to reflect their operation in France. This role represented their most senior hire to date and would be their highest individual contributor. Therefore, it was crucial to find someone who could seamlessly integrate into the company culture across both the UK and France, while also demonstrating the drive and resilience necessary to succeed. The new hire needed to be results-driven and capable of delivering within tight timelines.

The client also placed great importance on honesty and communication. While the salary was negotiable, the right mindset and cultural fit were paramount.

The solution

The hiring process involved close collaboration with our clients’ key stakeholders. Given the seniority of the role, the stakeholders were involved in evaluating and making sure that the candidate was a strategic hire and would make an impact in the organisation growth:

Talent Acquisition Manager: As the initial gatekeeper of the process, the Talent Acquisition Manager’s role was to assess the candidate’s technical skills, experience, and overall alignment with the job requirements. They also acted as a liaison between internal stakeholders and the candidate, ensuring clear communication throughout the process.
Chief Operating Officer (COO): The COO played a crucial role in evaluating cultural fit, leadership style, and the candidate’s ability to align with the company’s strategic vision. This stage focused on how the candidate would integrate into the team, collaborate with senior leadership, and contribute to the company’s long-term growth.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Given the seniority of the hire, the CEO held in-depth technical discussions that were tailored to the company’s core business needs. Beyond technical expertise, the CEO assessed the candidate’s problem-solving abilities, decision-making approach, and capacity to drive innovation within the organisation.

Stakeholders’ collaboration was critical to ensure that decision-making was swift. Within a week of the final interview, the client extended an offer to the selected candidate, demonstrating the effectiveness of a well-coordinated hiring strategy.

The impact

The client was delighted with the outcome, particularly with our ability to present them with the ideal candidate so efficiently. They highly valued our recruiter’s industry knowledge and expertise, as well as the high level of communication throughout the process.

As a result, this successful placement not only ensures the company’s UK expansion moves forward as planned but also solidifies our reputation as a trusted recruitment partner in the sector.

Get in touch

If you’re looking to make a strategic senior hire, expand your team, or ensure seamless succession planning, we can help. Our expertise in identifying top-tier talent and facilitating efficient hiring processes makes us the trusted partner for ambitious organisations.

Get in touch today to discuss how we can support your growth and secure the right leaders for your business.