Executive Search

Retained search for Top Management and C‑level appointments in Life Sciences. Every mandate is led by a senior consultant, conducted in strict confidence and built on a deep knowledge of your market.

Levels

  • C‑Level and Boards

    Executive committees, chairs and non-executive directors.

  • Top Management

    General managers, vice presidents and heads of function.

  • Niche and specialist roles

    Rare expertise that is critical to the business.

Functions

  • General Management
  • Commercial and Marketing
  • Market Access
  • Medical and Clinical
  • Research and Development
  • Operations and Manufacturing
  • Quality and Regulatory
  • Finance, HR and Strategy

Key appointments

  • CEO
  • General Manager
  • CFO
  • Chief Commercial Officer
  • Chief Medical Officer
  • Chief Scientific Officer
  • COO
  • VP Sales
  • VP Marketing
  • VP Medical and Clinical Affairs
  • VP R&D
  • VP Quality and Regulatory
  • VP Operations
  • Country Manager
  • Board Member

Methodology

  1. Briefing

    We define the role, the context and the leadership profile with you, and test them against the market.

  2. Market mapping

    We map the relevant organisations and leaders, then approach them directly and in confidence.

  3. Assessment

    In-depth interviews, psychometric assessment and our knowledge of the sector.

  4. Shortlist

    A calibrated shortlist, with a detailed report on each candidate, presented and discussed with you.

  5. Decision and closing

    Thorough referencing, then support through your decision, the offer and the transition.

Our standards

Senior expertise

An experienced consultant leads every mandate, from the first briefing to the appointment.

Strict confidentiality

Discretion for clients and candidates is the foundation of our work.

Rigorous assessment

In-depth evaluation, psychometric tools and thorough referencing.

Transparent reporting

Structured, regular reporting throughout the search.

Coverage

We conduct searches in a single country or across several at once, throughout Europe and internationally, with one team and a single point of contact.

Selected appointments

A selection of appointments led by our consultants. Client names are withheld; the work speaks for itself.

  • MedTech

    VP Marketing, Sales, Operations and Clinical

    Global and EMEA leadership roles for several global medical technology groups.

  • Biopharma

    Thirteen senior appointments

    Medical, clinical and scientific leadership for a biopharmaceutical company in Switzerland, most with international relocation.

  • Genomics

    Chief Commercial Officer

    Scale-up behind an AI-driven clinical genomics platform.

  • Diagnostics

    Chief Commercial Officer and Country Directors

    European specialty manufacturer of in-vitro diagnostics.

  • Pharma

    Vice Presidents, Pharmacovigilance

    Oncology and neuroscience, for a listed international specialty pharma group.

  • MedTech

    COO and Technical Director

    Company industrialising a new blood management technology.

  • MedTech

    Country and Business Unit Leaders

    Sales, marketing and service leadership, local and European, for a global medical technology group.

  • Diagnostics

    Business Unit Director and VP roles

    Global leader in clinical and industrial microbiology.

  • Life science tools

    Sales Directors, Country Managers and VPs

    Global leader in laboratory instruments and equipment.

  • Manufacturing

    Site Director

    Active ingredient manufacturing site of a global pharmaceutical group.

  • CDMO

    Production, Technical and Engineering Directors

    European contract manufacturer of sterile injectables.

  • Biologics

    Quality leadership team

    Thirteen appointments, including Quality Director and Global Quality System Director, for a plasma-derived therapies manufacturer.

  • Gene therapy

    Programme and Clinical Development Directors

    Gene therapy and neuroscience research organisations.

  • Drug delivery

    Head of Medical Affairs

    Nordic pharmaceutical company, with international relocation.

Frequently asked questions

Which levels do you recruit?

Our focus is Top Management and C‑level positions, including boards. We also take on niche and specialist roles that are critical to a company’s success.

Do you only work in Life Sciences?

Yes. We serve MedTech, Pharma, Biotech and Digital Health companies, and the investors who back them.

Can one search cover several countries?

Yes. Cross-border searches are part of our daily work, in Europe and internationally.

How do you protect confidentiality?

Every approach is direct and discreet. We agree with you what can be disclosed, to whom and when, including when replacing an incumbent.

Related

Planning a strategic search?

One of our consultants will be in touch within 24 hours, in strict confidence.

Discuss a search

Or write to contact@hahnzekker.com