Banking Executive Search in Germany 

Engagement

The assignment originated through the client's long-standing relationship with Michael Page. Page Executive was brought in to add reach and fresh thinking to a search that had already been running for six months. Led by Lisa Best, Partner at Page Executive Germany, we approached the mandate with curiosity, challenging assumptions and exploring alternative talent pools rather than replicating previous efforts.

Leveraging our international network, we identified a senior banking professional with the required Spanish-language capabilities who was open to relocating to Germany. This early success reinforced the value of our cross-border reach and gave the client confidence that we could access a different segment of the market.
 

Sourcing

With the search already well advanced, we focused on identifying the capabilities required for success rather than limiting our search to traditional career paths.

This approach led us to a candidate whose background differed from the original brief but whose experience aligned strongly with the leadership challenge. Although their expertise sat more within Product Coverage than Corporate Coverage, we believed the underlying capabilities were highly relevant. By encouraging the client to reassess the profile, we helped reopen a conversation with a candidate they had met almost a decade earlier, but whose experience and suitability had evolved significantly since then.

This reflects a key part of our approach: understanding the real drivers of success in a role before drawing conclusions about where the right talent can be found.

Assessment

At executive level, experience alone does not determine success. Through in-depth interviews, we assessed leadership capability, technical expertise, motivations, expectations and cultural fit.

Throughout the process, we maintained close engagement with both client and candidate, preparing candidates for interviews, gathering regular feedback, conducting detailed debriefs, monitoring commitment, completing reference checks and facilitating open discussions around compensation. This ensured clarity and alignment at every stage while allowing potential concerns to be addressed early.
 

Delivery

During the final stages, a gap emerged between the candidate's compensation expectations and the client's budget. By maintaining open dialogue with both parties, we helped clarify priorities, align expectations and reach a mutually acceptable outcome.

Page Executive remained closely involved through offer negotiation and final decision-making, ensuring a smooth and successful conclusion to the mandate. The assignment was delivered entirely through direct executive search and relationship-led engagement, without the use of job advertising.