Phase 1: Strategic briefing
We begin with an in-depth briefing to understand your company culture, the specific challenges of the role, and the required leadership competencies.
Retained Executive Search in Spain
As a premier retained search firm in Spain, we recruit C-suite and senior executives for global success. Etalentum provides specialized headhunting services for international companies looking to establish or expand their footprint in the Spanish market.
What sets us apart is our proximity-based model: we combine deep local market intelligence with international executive standards. We don't just find candidates; we secure high-impact leaders who align with your corporate culture and the specific nuances of the Spanish business landscape, ensuring a seamless transition and long-term strategic growth.
What sets us apart is our proximity-based model: we combine deep local market intelligence with international executive standards. We don't just find candidates; we secure high-impact leaders who align with your corporate culture and the specific nuances of the Spanish business landscape, ensuring a seamless transition and long-term strategic growth.
A retained search firm with
real presence across Spain
While most international recruitment firms operate exclusively from a single hub in the capital, Etalentum offers a distinct competitive advantage through our extensive network of offices strategically located throughout the country. We understand that the best leaders are often found beyond Madrid and Barcelona, residing in thriving industrial and economic hubs that others overlook.
Our physical presence in mid-sized cities allows us to tap into exclusive regional talent pools and leverage genuine local market knowledge. We don't just search for candidates remotely; we are present in the territories where they live and work, giving us a deep understanding of regional business cultures, local salary benchmarks, and the specific motivations of high-level executives across the entire Spanish geography.
Our physical presence in mid-sized cities allows us to tap into exclusive regional talent pools and leverage genuine local market knowledge. We don't just search for candidates remotely; we are present in the territories where they live and work, giving us a deep understanding of regional business cultures, local salary benchmarks, and the specific motivations of high-level executives across the entire Spanish geography.
How our retained executive
search process works
Our methodology is designed for precision and discretion. By working under an exclusive mandate, we dedicate our full resources to finding the perfect leadership fit through a structured, multi-phase approach.
Phase 1: Strategic briefing
We begin with an in-depth briefing to understand your company culture, the specific challenges of the role, and the required leadership competencies.
Phase 2: Candidate mapping & market research
Our research team performs exhaustive candidate mapping across the Spanish market, identifying top-tier talent currently in passive or active roles.
Phase 2: Candidate mapping & market research
Our research team performs exhaustive candidate mapping across the Spanish market, identifying top-tier talent currently in passive or active roles.
Phase 3: Confidential search & outreach
We conduct a highly confidential search to approach potential candidates, protecting your brand's reputation while gauging interest and fit.
Phase 3: Confidential search & outreach
We conduct a highly confidential search to approach potential candidates, protecting your brand's reputation while gauging interest and fit.
Phase 4: Longlisting
We compile an initial longlisting of qualified professionals who meet the core technical and cultural requirements of the position.
Phase 4: Longlisting
We compile an initial longlisting of qualified professionals who meet the core technical and cultural requirements of the position.
Phase 5: Candidate shortlist
After internal interviews, we present a curated shortlist of the most exceptional individuals, providing detailed profiles for your review.
Phase 5: Candidate shortlist
After internal interviews, we present a curated shortlist of the most exceptional individuals, providing detailed profiles for your review.
Phase 6: Executive assessment
Each finalist undergoes a rigorous assessment of their leadership style, soft skills, and strategic alignment with your Spanish operations.
Phase 6: Executive assessment
Each finalist undergoes a rigorous assessment of their leadership style, soft skills, and strategic alignment with your Spanish operations.
The Etalentum Quality Guarantee
We are committed to your long-term success. If the placed candidate does not successfully complete their probationary period, Etalentum will re-initiate the search process to find a replacement at no additional professional fee.
Senior profiles we place in Spain
At Etalentum, our functional expertise allows us to identify and secure leaders who drive transformation. We specialize in identifying bilingual candidates who possess not only the technical mastery required for the role but also the cultural fluency to bridge the gap between a foreign headquarters and the Spanish subsidiary.
Our experience in cross-border placements ensures that whether you are hiring your first employee in the country or restructuring your local board, you receive candidates who understand international reporting lines and local market dynamics.
Our experience in cross-border placements ensures that whether you are hiring your first employee in the country or restructuring your local board, you receive candidates who understand international reporting lines and local market dynamics.
Industry-specific search excellence
We conduct tailored industry-specific search processes across a wide range of high-growth sectors in Spain, including:
- Technology & Digital: CTOs, VPs of Engineering, and Digital Transformation Leaders.
- Industrial & Manufacturing: Plant Managers, Operations Directors, and Supply Chain Heads.
- Life Sciences & Healthcare: Medical Directors and Country Leads.
- Renewable Energy: Project Directors and Business Development Seniors.
- Consumer & Retail: CMOs, E-commerce Directors, and Sales VPs.
Core executive roles
| Leadership | Commercial & Growth | Operations & Support |
| CEO / Country Manager | Chief Commercial Officer | Chief Financial Officer (CFO) |
| General Manager | VP of Sales | HR Director (CHRO) |
| Chief Operating Officer | Head of Expansion | Legal & Compliance Counsel |
Why companies choose a retained model over contingency
When hiring for mission-critical roles in a foreign market, the "success-only" contingency model often falls short. For C-suite and senior leadership, an exclusive engagement with Etalentum ensures a level of rigor, depth, and commitment that standard recruitment cannot match.
While contingency firms often "race" to send the most visible candidates, our retained model focuses on finding the right candidate through a higher placement success rate and a much more thorough methodology.
While contingency firms often "race" to send the most visible candidates, our retained model focuses on finding the right candidate through a higher placement success rate and a much more thorough methodology.
The retained advantage
- Access to passive candidates: Most top-tier executives in Spain aren't looking at job boards. We proactively headhunt high-performers who are currently successfully employed, ensuring you see the best talent, not just the "available" talent.
- Dedicated consultant: You will work with a dedicated consultant who acts as an extension of your own HR department, providing 100% focus and accountability to your specific search.
- Total confidentiality: Our confidential search protocols allow you to explore the market and replace sensitive roles without alerting competitors or internal teams until the timing is right.
- Deep cultural alignment: We don't just match CVs; we ensure the candidate's leadership style aligns with your headquarters' culture while being effective within the Spanish business ecosystem.
Trusted by International Companies Operating in Spain
10,000+
Successful hires
Proven track record in executive and mid-management roles.
300,000+
Validated candidates
One of Spain's largest proprietary executive databases.
50+
Local offices
Unmatched regional presence beyond the big capitals.
15+
Languages spoken
Fluent communication for seamless cross-border coordination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a retained executive search engagement?
+How long does a typical executive search process take in Spain?
+Do you work outside Madrid and Barcelona?
+What happens if the placed candidate leaves within the guarantee period?
+How is Etalentum different from a large international search firm?
+Can you run a confidential search without advertising the position?
+
A retained engagement with Etalentum is an exclusive mandate that covers the entire lifecycle of the recruitment process. This includes a strategic briefing, full market mapping, cultural assessment, and onboarding support. You will be assigned a dedicated search team that works solely on your project until the position is successfully filled.
While the duration can vary depending on the seniority and niche requirements, a typical search takes between 8 to 12 weeks. However, thanks to our extensive local talent network and AI-driven database, we are often able to present a high-quality shortlist faster than traditional global firms.
Absolutely. While many firms are centralized, Etalentum's main differentiator is our presence in mid-sized cities. We have a physical network of offices across the entire country, giving us direct access to regional talent that others overlook.
We stand by the quality of our work with a solid replacement guarantee. If the candidate leaves or does not meet the agreed objectives during the probationary period, our team will re-initiate the search at no additional professional cost to find a suitable replacement.
We combine the reach of a large firm with the agility of a local partner. Unlike global giants that rely on public databases, we focus on off-market candidates through proactive headhunting. Our proximity-based model ensures we understand the local business culture better than any firm operating solely from a distant capital.
Yes. In fact, most of our retained assignments are conducted as a confidential search. We approach potential candidates directly and discreetly, ensuring your company’s strategic plans remain private while we secure your future leadership.
Start your executive search in Spain
Your expansion into the Spanish market deserves a leadership team that doesn't just "fit"—it excels. Partner with Etalentum to bridge the gap between your global corporate vision and the highest-caliber talent available in Spain.
Our Barcelona International Hub serves as the primary point of contact for our global partners. From here, we coordinate our entire nationwide network of offices, ensuring you receive a seamless, multilingual, and high-touch recruitment experience regardless of where your new team will be based.
Our Barcelona International Hub serves as the primary point of contact for our global partners. From here, we coordinate our entire nationwide network of offices, ensuring you receive a seamless, multilingual, and high-touch recruitment experience regardless of where your new team will be based.
Ready to find your next leader?
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