Chief Communications Officer Executive Search

A preeminent U.S.-based freight-hauling railroad company and one of the world’s largest and oldest transportation companies engaged N2Growth for a Corporate Communications Executive Search finding their next Chief Communications Officer.

The company was seeking a collaborative and engaging individual to lead, develop, and implement internal and external communications strategies and plans that build an understanding of and support for the company’s vision, purpose, strategy, and business objectives while promoting, enhancing, and protecting the company’s brand and reputation.

Our client required a Chief Communications Officer to serve as a communications adviser to the Chairman / CEO, Senior Staff, and business unit leaders. This person would be in charge of developing and directing company messaging to support multiple departments and functional groups including Executive, Engineering, Operating, Mechanical, Information Technologies, Dispatching, Finance, Law, Marketing and Sales, Human Resources, Supply Chain, and audiences including employees and potential employees, media, elected officials, regulatory bodies, community leaders, bloggers, customers, and potential customers, suppliers, and the general public. 

In finding the client’s Chief Communications Officer, N2Growth played a pivotal role as thought partners in helping the client envision an optimal candidate to oversee all elements of the company’s communications strategy and execution.

The specific insights we drew and the alignment we found in the early days of this search created clarity and little need for specification iteration as the search developed. Our team rigorously mapped the market for candidates whose attributes were attuned to the needs of our client.

After tens of interviews, we submitted a total of sixteen candidates for consideration in the early days of the search. Despite a COVID-related economic slowdown, we worked with our client to ensure finalist candidate interviews were conducted in a timely manner. Our client executed an employment agreement with a top-tier candidate with deep expertise in corporate communications and prior experience in the manufacturing and insurance industries.