Battalia Winston Adds to Life Sciences Practice
February 9, 2017 – Executive search firm Battalia Winston has expanded its recruiting team with the addition of Susan Oliver as partner in its life sciences practice. Ms. Oliver has more than 20 years of experience conducting executive and board level searches for companies in the biotech, medical device, and pharmaceutical industries.
Drawing from her deep understanding of critical issues in the life sciences sector, including clinical and regulatory affairs, specialty pharmaceuticals, and drug/device combination therapies, she identifies high performing executives who provide transformational results for clients.
Ms. Oliver began her recruiting career at Heidrick and Struggles and later joined Korn Ferry as a member of the firm’s consumer products and advanced technology practices. She co-founded Oliver John Partners, where she conducted executive searches for pharmaceutical, biotech, retail and consumer packaged goods firms. Before joining Battalia Winston, she served as managing partner of NGS Global’s life sciences practice.
Tapping Outside Talent for Life Science and Healthcare
For these top 50 executive recruiters working in the life science and healthcare sectors, the last decade has been one of transformation. Pressure on pricing, regulatory changes, emerging innovations, growth, and an uncertain political environment have all helped shape a new field of play. If you belong in our ranking, let us know!
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“We’re thrilled to have Susan join our team,” said Dale Winston, CEO and chairwoman at Battalia Winston. “Her long track record of success in the life sciences sector is a valuable addition to our practice.”
“My approach to executive search centers on two primary goals: delighting my clients and ensuring that my candidates feel appreciated for the time and effort they’re investing with me,” said Ms. Oliver. “My success in search is largely due to my commitment to creating long-lasting relationships with my clients. Their success is my success.”
Ms. Oliver’s executive search approach is informed by a keen understanding of some of the most pressing issues in the life sciences industry. “Both biotech and device companies continue to be under pressure to produce improved clinical outcomes in a challenging regulatory environment,” Ms. Oliver said. “As a result, our clients have to be better, smarter, and more efficient than their competitors. My job is to help them attract and retain the talent they need to do just that.”
Battalia Winston’s life sciences practice specializes in recruiting executives and other senior level leaders for a broad spectrum of companies, including clients in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical devices and equipment, diagnostic and consumer health, and animal health industries.
Persistent Talent Shortages
According to Deloitte’s global sector outlook on life sciences, persistent talent shortages and the need to develop and retain employees with critical business and technology skill sets will continue to challenge global life sciences companies as they try to navigate a new world of work — one that requires a dramatic change in strategies for leadership, talent, and human resources.
In addition, the global life sciences sector is in the midst of a turbulent transformation, making the need for these sorts of leaders more important than ever. As a result, search firms are staffing up to meet the demand. Here’s a look at some recent activity from the Hunt Scanlon archives:
- ZRG Partners named David Sheahan as a managing director in its Dallas office, where he will focus on supporting clients in the life sciences, technology and energy sectors. Mr. Sheahan has enjoyed a long career in human resource services, having served with Korn Ferry since 2008.
- Pedersen & Partners named Lydia van der Meulen as head of its life sciences practice for the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Ms. van der Meulen has conducted over 200 searches for start-ups, mid-sized organizations and multinationals, both publicly listed and privately held, helping corporate, European and business management teams with commercial, technical and scientific leadership hires.
- Horton International – North America, a principal partner of Horton International, named James D. Utterback as managing director in its healthcare and life sciences practice. He will focus within the healthcare information technology and services sectors.
Contributed by Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor, Hunt Scanlon Media