Discovery & strategy
Defining the role, culture fit, and strategic objectives.
Executive search Spain: find top executive & senior talent
We are an executive search firm in Spain specialized in connecting international businesses with top-tier senior talent. Our proven expertise ensures successful leadership hiring for organizations looking to evolve and grow within the Spanish market.
Your executive search partner in Spain
for international companies
We specialize in high-level executive recruitment in Spain, bridging the gap between global enterprises and the country's most qualified senior executive recruitment candidates. Our specialized positioning means we understand the unique challenges faced by UK companies, US companies, and other European firms when navigating the Spanish labor landscape for high-level roles.
While our international contact office is strategically based in Barcelona, a key business hub, our network and executive search capabilities provide comprehensive coverage across Madrid and the rest of Spain. We are the executive headhunter in Spain for international companies you can trust.
Deep local knowledge and global perspective
Combining a profound understanding of the Spanish executive talent market with international service standards.
Targeted direct search methodology
Access to passive candidates who are not actively seeking new roles, ensuring you find top executives in Spain.
Bilingual, international team
Fluent in English and Spanish, facilitating seamless communication and cultural alignment.
Proven track record
Decades of experience in successful Spain leadership hiring for critical C-suite and senior management positions.
What is executive search and why it matters for your business in Spain
Executive Search is a strategic, retained approach to executive recruitment designed to locate, assess, and
secure exceptional talent for critical, high-impact roles—typically C-suite, VP, and Director level positions. While headhunting or traditional headhunter services may focus on filling existing vacancies, Etalentum's
executive search operates as a consulting partnership, identifying transformational leaders who align with your strategic growth goals in Spain.
For international companies unfamiliar with Spanish recruitment practices, this methodology is essential for mitigating risk and ensuring cultural fit at the highest level. Learn more about our detailed methodology:
For international companies unfamiliar with Spanish recruitment practices, this methodology is essential for mitigating risk and ensuring cultural fit at the highest level. Learn more about our detailed methodology:
Our executive search services in Spain
We provide comprehensive executive search services in Spain tailored to the needs of the international client, covering.
C-Suite and Board Recruitment
Finding CEOs, CFOs, COOs, and other top-tier leaders.
Senior management hiring
Locating Directors and VPs across all functional areas.
Highly specialized talent acquisition
Targeting niche technical or scientific profiles essential for innovation and growth.
Market mapping and talent pipelining
Strategic consulting to understand and prepare for future Spain leadership hiring needs.
Why choose us as your executive search firm in Spain
Choosing the right executive search firm in Spain is critical to your success in the market. We differentiate
ourselves by offering:
- Deep knowledge of the Spanish executive talent market
- International team based in Barcelona, operating across Spain
- Bilingual capabilities (Spanish & English)
- Proven methodology and track record
- Access to passive talent through direct search
- Strict confidentiality and ethical standards (we adhere to AESC standards)
Industries we cover in Spain
Our experience as an executive search firm spans key industries vital for international investment, allowing us to effectively find top executives across diverse sectors:
Technology & Digital
Senior roles in SaaS, eCommerce, and emerging tech.
Industrial & Manufacturing
Leadership positions in operations, engineering, and supply chain.
Life sciences & Pharma
C-suite and R&D executives in a highly regulated market.
Financial services
Directors for fintech, investment, and banking operations.
Consumer goods (FMCG) & Retail
Marketing and Sales leadership for market expansion.
Executive search in Barcelona and Madrid
Our principal international contact office is located in Barcelona, serving as a central hub for our European and global clients. Barcelona and Madrid represent the epicenter of commercial activity in Spain, offering distinct advantages for international businesses:
- Barcelona: A thriving technology and startup ecosystem, often cited as a key European tech hub, ideal for companies focusing on innovation and international connectivity.
- Madrid: The political and financial capital, perfect for organizations requiring strong institutional links and a robust corporate headquarters presence.
We ensure comprehensive executive search with coverage in Madrid and Barcelona among others cities in Spain, extending our reach nationwide.
Contact our Barcelona office.
location_onAv. Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 639 | 08010 Barcelona
call93 736 09 37
Our executive search process
Our structured process, designed to secure the right senior executive recruitment talent, typically involves these steps:
Discovery & strategy
Defining the role, culture fit, and strategic objectives.
Target mapping & research
Identifying potential candidates across Spain and beyond.
Target mapping & research
Identifying potential candidates across Spain and beyond.
Candidate assessment
Rigorous evaluation and deep interviews by our experienced executive headhunter team.
Candidate assessment
Rigorous evaluation and deep interviews by our experienced executive headhunter team.
Presentation & selection
Shortlisting the most qualified top executives for the client.
Presentation & selection
Shortlisting the most qualified top executives for the client.
Offer & negotiation
Facilitating the compensation discussion and final hiring.
Offer & negotiation
Facilitating the compensation discussion and final hiring.
Integration & follow-up
Ensuring a smooth transition for the new leader.
Integration & follow-up
Ensuring a smooth transition for the new leader.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is executive search in Spain?
+How long does an executive search process take in Spain?
+What is the difference between headhunting and executive search in Spain?
+How much does executive search cost in Spain?
+Can international companies hire executives in Spain without a local entity?
+Ready to Find Your Next Executive in Spain?
+
Executive search is a premium, retained service focused on recruiting highly specialized or C-suite professionals. Unlike contingent recruiting, it involves a rigorous, confidential direct search methodology to access passive talent—those leaders who are currently employed and not actively looking—to ensure the best fit for your company's strategic needs.
The duration of an executive search process varies depending on the complexity and specific requirements of each profile. Rather than adhering to a rigid timeline, we prioritize a rigorous, multi-step methodology—including exhaustive market mapping, in-depth candidate assessment, and coordinated interview cycles—to ensure the highest quality for critical leadership hiring. Our focus remains on finding the precise talent your organization needs to evolve, ensuring that every placement is the right long-term strategic fit.
While often used interchangeably, executive search is a more comprehensive, strategic, and confidential retained service for senior roles, guaranteeing commitment from the executive search firm. Headhunting in Spain can sometimes refer to contingent recruitment for mid-level or specialized roles where payment is only made upon successful placement. Our service is the retained executive search model.
The cost for executive search in Spain is typically structured as a retained fee, calculated as a percentage of the executive's estimated total annual compensation, reflecting the high-value consultancy and commitment provided by the executive search firm.
Yes, international companies can often hire executives in Spain without a local entity through a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) or Employer of Record (EOR) service. However, for a high-level senior executive recruitment in Spain, establishing a local presence might be advisable for long-term strategic growth and to fully integrate the executive into the business structure.
If you are ready to find top executives in Spain or require specialized executive recruitment support, contact us today. We guarantee strict discretion, rapid response, and full availability from our international team. Let us be your strategic partner for Spain leadership hiring.
Contact our team in Barcelona
Complete the form below, and our international team will reach out within 24 hours to discuss your project.
Etalentum Barcelona – International Headquarters
21 Passeig de Gràcia, 1st floor. Barcelona, Spain
international@etalentum.com
+34 93 522 19 99
Direct International Contact