Headhunter for Managing Director Positions

Managing directors (MD or (executive) director) are in the upper management level of a company. They manage the operational business and at the same time are responsible for the strategic implementation of the company's goals. They report to the CEO, but may also be a member of the board of directors. The senior project managers and the heads of (departments) report to him/her. In any case, he/she combines responsibilities for human resources, finance and investment planning. A Managing Director is a decision-making authority for many areas. 

Outstanding candidates

The stakes for a Managing Director position are very high, as are the working hours and responsibilities - but so is the salary. In order to find such an outstanding personality, CareerTeam relies on executive search. With an accurate personality analysis and our European network, we are able to find the right candidate in the shortest possible time. Since the strategic direction of your company is also at stake, seeking professional support in the recruitment process can be elementary.  You can outsource the entire process from search, selection, interviewing and placement (Recruitment Process Outsourcing). In this process, we permanently coordinate with you to be able to make decisions on an equal footing.

Managing Director and CEO

Making decisions at eye level, reducing hierarchies and creating cross-functional teams is elementary in times of more complex interrelationships. Therefore, the distinction between managing director and CEO can be fluid or develop into one.

In contrast to the CEO, the managing director is familiar with the day-to-day business. The CEO is informed by him or her about current developments. Stakeholders can also ask him or her for information on the future path of the company.

Unlike the CEO, however, the position of the managing director does not exist in every company. Giving him:her a role strengthens the highest hierarchical level of the company's management and reinforces its communication. He or she is also called Chief Managing Director and would thus also be formally assigned to the C-level. The C-level refers to the top management level and has various posts (CEO, CFO, COO, CPO, etc.). In this way, a viable network is linked that guides the company through future requirements.

A managing director ranks in. He:she is responsible for launching new products and setting the company up for success. At the same time, he: she is accountable to shareholders and stakeholders. Just as they are to business partners and the authorities. Unlike the CEO, an MD does not necessarily appear as the public head of the company, unless the positions are not separated.

Diverse fields of activity

Since so many responsibilities are bundled in the position of a Managing Director, it is essential to know each area. An MD communicates with staff as well as with clients. Equally essential is the ability to lead and motivate staff and managers. The same applies to sales instincts.

In training, it can be advantageous to have a degree in business administration (favourable Msc/MA). He:she should know which market changes influence the business and certainly has years of management experience. Corporate finance with key performance indicators is familiar. In any case, it is a strategic position that knows how to implement business plans. Legal requirements and company guidelines are known and are observed and communicated.

An MD is a member of the board of directors and helps determine the strategic positions. He or she ensures that a company meets its financial and strategic objectives. Developing and implementing business or strategic plans is one of the requirements of an MD. So even if he:she is in charge of operations as MD, it is important that he:she is actually a strategist. This includes addressing weaknesses in the business or staff to ensure smooth operations.

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Market development 

Market development activities should be forward-looking and cost-effective. An MD can develop and communicate these. The total addressable market (TAM) can be divided and analysed into different fields. These fields range from market penetration to product development and diversification. Diversification, in simple terms, is the expansion or improvement of products or business areas in order to minimise risks and maximise profits. Such analyses are the task of a Managing Director. 

Human resources and crisis management

Therefore, an MD must also know psychological human resource processes and be knowledgeable in human resource issues. He:she reads reports of subordinate managers and evaluates them. He:she identifies problems, rewards performance and resolves conflicts. If the company deviates from its course, a managing director personifies crisis management.

A visionary position

Filling such an important position in the company for the first time or for the first time is a challenge. We are happy to support you with our unique expertise. We search across Europe and can also ensure greater internationality and diversity if this is in line with your future goals. Contact our staff - we will build the right team to meet your needs. Our high match rate and fast turnaround time speaks for itself.