A Managing Director often runs a business, market, or division as if it were their own — which makes it a pivotal appointment, especially for international brands. Here is how to approach the hire.
What you are hiring for
A Managing Director typically leads a business, market, or division end to end — owning its commercial performance, its team, and its results. In a market or subsidiary of a larger group, the MD is often the local CEO, accountable for the whole business in that territory. Because the remit is broad, the hire must start from exactly what this MD owns.
Define the mandate and the boundaries
The MD role varies enormously, so clarity matters. What does this Managing Director own, and what sits with the CEO, the group, or the global parent? For international brands especially, the relationship between a local MD and headquarters must be defined and understood, or the appointment struggles.
The profile that delivers
Strong MDs combine commercial and operational leadership with the judgement to run a business unit as their own. In premium and luxury categories, credibility with both a global parent and a discerning local market is often decisive — as is the ability to represent the brand as its local face.
How the search works
A retained search defines the specific mandate, maps proven leaders, and assesses them against the real demands of running the business, market, or division.
Hiring a Managing Director?
We recruit Managing Directors and market leaders across consumer and premium categories.
Explore Managing Director Search →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Managing Director and a CEO?
In a standalone company the terms can overlap; in a group, an MD usually leads a specific market, division, or unit while the CEO leads the whole enterprise.
What makes a strong Managing Director?
Commercial and operational leadership and the judgement to run a business unit end to end — plus, in international businesses, credibility with both the global parent and the local market.
Related: What Does a Managing Director Do? · Luxury Automotive Managing Director Search · Building a US Leadership Team
