• Case Study
• Recruitment

Case study: Recruitment of a Senior Executive for a real estate company

Imagine the situation: you are a global commercial real estate advisory firm looking for a key leader for your operations in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, while the labour market is tight and competition is fierce. This was exactly the position our client found itself in – a reputable company headquartered in the EU.

The challenge: A new role with high expectations

Our client, operating in the commercial real estate advisory sector, approached us with a clear objective: to fill a newly created position of Assistant Director – Agency, Industrial/Logistics for the Czech and Slovak markets. The successful candidate was expected to build and develop an entirely new business segment, essentially starting from scratch and gradually building their own team. The assumption was that the candidate would later progress into the role of Head of Agency Industrial/Logistics for CZ/SK.

Despite a very attractive offer, the client struggled for a long time to find a suitable candidate. What did candidates perceive as reducing the attractiveness of the role?

• A lower brand profile in the CZ/SK region
• A small market share in these countries
• Strong competition, including a new player entering the market at the same time
• A limited pool of candidates with the required experience

Our solution: A precise executive search

We had already successfully supported this client in filling two senior positions in the past, so we were well acquainted with both their expectations and specific requirements. Our team designed a comprehensive recruitment strategy and followed it consistently:

• In-depth market research: We identified 45 potential companies and 75 suitable candidates.
• Structured approach: Each week, we provided the client with a detailed update on progress, candidates and ongoing interviews.
• Personal approach: We contacted candidates directly, explored their motivation and conducted thorough screening.
• Efficient process: From first contact to final interviews, the entire process took a record eight weeks.

Candidate selection was complicated by several factors our executive search team is well prepared for and highly experienced in:

• Candidates’ scepticism towards a less well-known brand
• Competing offers from other companies
• Limited interest from preferred candidates coming directly from competitors

In close cooperation with the client, we therefore expanded the search to include candidates from international logistics and warehousing services.

The candidate was appointed directly as Head of Agency

Our efforts paid off. We presented the client with a shortlist of four top-tier candidates who met all requirements. After two rounds of interviews, the selection was narrowed down to two finalists. The quality of candidates was so high that the client faced a genuinely difficult decision.

The chosen candidate was so exceptional that the client offered them the position of

Head of Agency for the Industrial/Logistics team in CZ/SK directly – effective from day one.

Are you also looking for a needle in a haystack in today’s job market? Don’t let initial setbacks discourage you. With the right partner by your side, you can not only find a strong candidate but even exceed your original expectations.

Contact us today to find out how we can help your company secure top talent for key positions.

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