Jan Pautsch
In recent years, I have experienced first-hand how much the recruitment market has changed. New sectors are emerging rapidly, existing job profiles are changing as a result of advancing digitalization – this is particularly evident in the field of finance. For me as a headhunter, this means recognizing trends at an early stage, setting new priorities and reacting to them in a targeted manner. For this reason, the topic of digital finance headhunters is now increasingly moving into my focus.
In the financial sector in particular, I am observing an increasing demand for candidates who are not only technically excellent, but who can actively drive digital transformation and accompany cultural change. With our specialized Digital Finance Headhunter Service at Kooku Recruiting Partners, we are responding specifically to this demand. We support companies in attracting precisely the top digital talent that is crucial for sustainable growth and innovation. In this article, you can find out what sets our new service apart and why digital finance headhunting will be an integral part of my recruiting strategy in the future.
Contents
Digital Finance Recruiting at Kooku X
Over a decade,I helped high-growth teams build strong product and design leadership.
But in 2023, market dynamics shifted: startup funding contracted, AI began reshaping team structures, and finance teams came under growing pressure from regulation, digitalization and rising investor expectations.
Where the Signal Became Clear
In May 2025, I attended the first Berlin FinTech Breakfast organized by This Week in FinTech and Tactile. The mood was exploratory, not euphoric – focused on resilience and traction, not hype.
At the same time, I was already deeply involved in several finance searches:
- For a pre-seed WealthTech, I placed a co-managing director with regulatory experience who successfully led the company through the BaFin licensing process.
- I also filled the position of Compliance Officer in the same setup.
- Around the same time, a global tech group asked me to support a search for a Head of Accounting with IFRS fast-close experience.
- Shortly after, a €400 million mid-cap company brought me in to find an interim Commercial Lead to manage a turnaround under private equity oversight.
A clear pattern became visible: The most urgent mandates turned revolved around finance.
At Kooku X, I focus on placing senior talent in finance and transformation roles – fast, clear and with a structured approach.
Based on current projects and market signals, the most in-demand profiles include:
- CFOs with a focus on digitalization and ESG
- Head of Controlling with strengths in analysis and automation
- Interim FP&A managers for strategic support
- Transformation managers with AI and process expertise
Progress of the digital transformation in finance 2025
Artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI
In 2025, banks and financial service providers will increasingly rely on AI and generative AI in particular to optimize decision-making processes. AI analyses large volumes of data, recognizes complex patterns and supports algorithmic trading, credit risk assessment and fraud prevention. Explainable AI (XAI), which enables comprehensible and transparent decisions, is particularly in demand [5].
According to a recent study, 90 % of banking executives have allocated budgets for GenAI projects – a clear sign of the importance of this technology[5].
Cloud computing and automation
Cloud solutions are becoming increasingly important as they enable flexible scaling of the IT infrastructure and the automation of front, middle and back office processes. Cloud and AI enable routine tasks such as credit risk checks to be completed faster and with greater accuracy. This reduces costs, increases efficiency and shortens innovation cycles[2][3].
Open banking and embedded finance
Open banking is establishing itself as the standard: third-party providers gain access to bank data via APIs, which enables the development of new financial products and personalized services. Embedded finance – the integration of financial services into non-bank platforms – is also growing rapidly and democratizing access to financial services[5].
Composable banking and modular IT
Banks are increasingly relying on modular IT architectures (composable banking) in order to react flexibly to market changes and regulatory requirements. APIs enable the rapid integration of new services and partner solutions. This facilitates innovation and makes financial services more adaptable and customer-oriented[5].
Artificial intelligence in accounting
AI solutions are used in accounting to automate transactional processes, reduce errors and increase quality. Companies are investing in employee training and the integration of new technologies in order to reap the full benefits of digitalization[4].
Cybersecurity and quantum resilience
With advances in quantum computing, banks are increasingly relying on new encryption algorithms (quantum-resilient cryptography) to secure their systems against future threats[5].
Conclusion
In 2025, the digital transformation in the financial sector will be characterized by AI, cloud, open banking, embedded finance and modular IT architectures. Banks and financial service providers that actively use these technologies will increase efficiency, innovative strength and customer satisfaction – and secure decisive competitive advantages[2][3][4][5].
What Finance Will Look Like in 2025
This shift isn’t speculation. It’s already visible in hiring priorities, budget allocations and executive decisions. These are some of the roles seeing the fastest rise in demand:
*Source: Kooku X Finance Benchmark (May 2025), based on project feedback, market data and search results in the DACH region
How We Work at Kooku X
Our search process is structured, clear and fast – designed to deliver. It follows four defined steps:
- Precise briefing: Clarify objectives, organization, expectations
- Market Intelligence & Targeted Sourcing: Benchmarking, mapping, direct outreach
- Candidate Calibration: Early profiles within days, refined through feedback
- Offer & Onboarding Support: Guidance from offer to successful onboarding
What can Kooku X Finance Recruiting offer?
This shift from product and design to finance wasn’t about leaving something behind. It was about responding to what matters most – where urgency, complexity, and leadership now converge.
If you’re hiring into finance – permanent, interim or fractional – I’m happy to share current benchmarks, insights, and search strategies.
If this is relevant to you – let’s talk.
Jan Pausch
Head of Expert Search / Kooku X
Your Experts for Digital Finance & Transformation
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We deliver CFOs, Heads of Finance & Co. in record time: first candidates after 7 days, staffing within 30 days - thanks to data-based matching and active direct approach by specialized headhunters.
Finance Headhunter requestFrequently asked questions about finance recruiting in Berlin, Germany and internationally
A finance headhunter specializes in finding, approaching and successfully placing specialists and managers in the finance sector. He knows the current market requirements, understands role profiles such as CFO, Head of Controlling or FP&A Manager in detail and acts as a strategic partner for companies in finance recruiting.
Digital finance positions – such as FP&A with a focus on automation or CFO roles with an affinity for tech – require a targeted approach. A digital finance headhunter knows the requirements and has access to a network of modern finance experts.
It is important that the headhunter has a deep understanding of the industry, a robust network and transparent processes. Specialized finance headhunters – such as Kooku – focus exclusively on roles in the finance sector and are therefore particularly effective.
A finance headhunter in executive search develops a search strategy together with the client, identifies suitable candidates (usually via direct approach), conducts structured interviews and accompanies the entire selection process until the position is successfully filled.
The most common challenges include high competitive pressure, complex requirement profiles, cultural fit and the issue of availability. In addition, ESG, digitalization and PE structures are playing an increasingly important role in many positions.
Typical roles include CFOs with a focus on digitalization, ESG reporting managers, interim FP&A managers, RPA project managers in controlling or finance transformation experts with AI experience. Fractional CFOs are also in high demand.
The requirements for finance profiles have changed significantly due to digitalization, reporting standards and new management demands. Modern finance headhunters do not think in terms of CVs, but in terms of skills, mindset and impact – and act in a data-based, flexible and equal manner.
