The story behind the search
We have used Executive Integrity and specifically Adam for a number of key hire placements which we previously struggled to recruit for over a number of months. From the initial stages, Adam fully grasped our company culture, team dynamics, and the specific demands and importance of the Product Owner role.
He was, at all times, very efficient with great communication, understanding and trust, with a focus on aligning candidate qualities with our organisational values and needs.
The challenge
A scarce blend of product and maritime knowledge
NautilusLog’s maritime software supports assets at sea and on land. As the German start-up grew, it needed a Product Owner who could connect developers with customers and guide the product’s evolution.
Finding both technical product skills and maritime domain knowledge was difficult. The company lacked the internal resources and network for a sufficiently broad specialist search.
The takeaway: A Product Owner to bridge technical delivery and customer needs.
The brief
Product leadership grounded in the company’s goals
Executive Integrity explored NautilusLog’s culture, mission and growth plans with COO Liam Phelan. The role required stakeholder management, technical understanding and the ability to guide product development.
The team assessed which skills were essential from the outset and which could transfer from other industries into maritime software.
The takeaway: Transferable product skills opened up the brief.
The search
Mapping Hamburg and widening the industry search
The team first mapped local talent in Hamburg to avoid making relocation a requirement. When maritime product experience proved scarce, the search expanded into other sectors.
Assessment focused on product management, stakeholder skills and the ability to understand technical details. Candidates received regular communication and preparation from screening through interviews and the offer process.
The takeaway: A local search focused on strong, transferable product capability.
The placement
Sebastian Dahlen appointed Product Owner
Sebastian Dahlen brought substantial product management experience, including speech-to-text software and devices for collaborative speech processing and recognition.
His background included portfolio strategy, market research, agile project management and sales support. Those skills gave him a strong foundation for adapting to NautilusLog’s maritime market.
The takeaway: Product management and agile experience transferred into maritime software.
The result
Stronger product direction and team collaboration
Sebastian’s appointment strengthened the connection between stakeholders and the development team. His agile experience and attention to both strategy and detail improved team coordination and product direction.
The role gave NautilusLog dedicated capacity to guide product development from technical and customer perspectives.
The takeaway: Dedicated product ownership supporting a growing software team.
Why it matters
Knowing which experience can transfer
Maritime sector knowledge helped the recruitment team identify the skills that would allow a candidate from another industry to adapt effectively.
The local search, tailored assessment and consistent candidate support provided NautilusLog with a focused shortlist. Liam’s feedback emphasised understanding of the culture, communication and trust.
The takeaway: Sector understanding supported a practical, wider search.
Is a critical hire holding you back?
When the right experience is difficult to find, you need more than a shortlist. Tell us what you’re trying to achieve and we’ll help you find the people with the expertise to make it happen.
