Executive Search for a Global HR Director to Support International Growth

Job Title: Global HR Director
Recruitment Type: Executive Search
Business Type: Global Maritime Organisation
Location: Europe
Key Stakeholders: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO).
A leading international maritime organisation partnered with Faststream Executive Search to appoint a Global HR Director as part of a wider executive leadership transformation programme.
Following a significant acquisition and organisational restructuring, the business was entering a new phase of international growth and required an experienced HR leader to develop a scalable people strategy capable of supporting its long-term ambitions.

The Challenge

The appointment formed part of a broader executive leadership transformation programme and was critical to enabling the organisation's future growth.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Global HR Director would lead organisational design, talent acquisition, succession planning, cultural integration, change management and the development of global HR frameworks across a rapidly expanding international business.

The client required an executive who could operate confidently at both strategic and operational levels. The successful candidate needed to become a trusted adviser to the Chief Executive Officer while building the people infrastructure required to support continued international expansion.

The organisation operated across multiple countries and cultures and was integrating acquired businesses while preparing for further growth. This required an HR leader with significant experience of organisational transformation, international workforce management and post-acquisition integration.

The available talent pool was highly competitive. Few candidates combined international HR leadership, transformation expertise and experience partnering directly with executive leadership teams through periods of rapid organisational change.

The search also needed to be completed within an accelerated timeframe alongside two additional executive leadership appointments.

Our Executive Search Solution

Faststream Executive Search worked closely with the Chief Executive Officer and senior leadership team to develop a detailed understanding of the organisation's growth strategy, operating model and future leadership requirements.

A targeted international executive search was launched across maritime and adjacent sectors, including logistics, transportation and energy, to identify executives with experience leading complex, multinational organisations.

The search focused on HR leaders with expertise in:

  • International organisational growth and transformation

  • Post-acquisition integration and change management

  • Executive leadership partnering

  • Global talent acquisition and workforce planning

  • Organisational design and succession planning

  • Building scalable HR functions across multiple countries

Our consultants completed an extensive market mapping exercise across Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, identifying and engaging high-calibre executives with the capability to lead global people strategies.

The Outcome

Faststream successfully appointed an experienced international HR leader with an impressive track record of building and transforming people functions within globally operating organisations.

The successful candidate brought extensive experience leading HR operations across Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, supporting multinational workforces operating across diverse cultural, legal and commercial environments.

Having previously built a global HR function from the ground up for a rapidly expanding international business, they brought valuable expertise in organisational transformation, leadership partnering and post-acquisition integration.

Their appointment strengthened the organisation's executive leadership team, aligning its people strategy with business objectives while creating the organisational capability needed to support the next phase of international growth.

Looking to appoint your next maritime executive?

The success of an international business depends on leaders who can build high-performing organisations, develop talent and guide businesses through change.

Faststream Executive Search has been helping maritime organisations identify and appoint senior leaders since 1999. Whether you are recruiting a Global HR Director, Chief People Officer, Chief Executive Officer or another critical executive role, our specialist consultants deliver confidential, retained executive search solutions that connect organisations with exceptional leadership talent worldwide.

Speak to our Executive Search team today to discuss your leadership hiring plans and discover how we can help you secure the executives who will shape your organisation's future.

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