Executive search in the USA for European companies
We find the leaders who will run your American business: country managers, general managers, sales directors and finance leaders who perform in the U.S. and work seamlessly with headquarters in Europe.
Leadership roles we search for
Most of our executive mandates come from European groups opening or scaling a U.S. subsidiary. The first senior hire shapes everything that follows, so we search for people who have already built or run a business in the American market.
- Country manager / General manager
- President of the U.S. subsidiary
- VP or Director of Sales
- Chief Financial Officer / Controller
- Head of Operations or Plant Director
- HR Director / Head of People
- Business development leaders
- Service and after-sales directors
What makes a U.S. executive search work for a European company
Fit with headquarters
We assess how a candidate works with a European parent company: reporting lines, decision speed, communication style and comfort with matrix structures.
Confidential approach
The best executives are rarely on the market. We approach them discreetly and present your company and opportunity the right way.
Market-based packages
We benchmark base, bonus, equity and benefits by city and role, so your offer is competitive and approved before the final round.
One partner, a disciplined process
Every search is led personally by a senior partner. We start from your 12-month business goals, map the companies where the right people work today, approach them confidentially (including those who are not actively looking) and assess each candidate on skills, track record, motivation and fit with a European headquarters.
You receive a shortlist of 3–5 people you would genuinely want to hire, with written assessments. We stay involved through offer, resignation and the first months, and every placement is backed by a guarantee. See our full process.
Define the country manager’s mandate
Before the search begins, distinguish a commercial launch role from responsibility for a full U.S. operation. Agree on the first year’s objectives, budget authority and decisions that stay with European headquarters.
- Experience building a U.S. business at your stage
- Evidence of P&L ownership and team leadership
- How the leader handles disagreements with headquarters
- A practical plan for customers, people and reporting
An interview scenario can ask the candidate to balance an urgent U.S. customer decision with approval from Italy. Discuss their reasoning, escalation and communication rather than relying only on titles.
Led personally by Francesca Paccaloni
Cygic’s Co-founder and Managing Partner brings fifteen years of recruitment experience across Europe, the Americas and Africa, including earlier in-house work at Amazon Operations and in international oilfield services. She leads each mandate from the brief through the new hire’s first months.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an executive search take in the U.S.?
Most senior searches take longer than mid-level roles. Some close in about four weeks, while complex executive searches can take up to 16 weeks, including the candidate’s notice period, which in the U.S. is typically two weeks.
Do you work in Italian?
Yes. We brief your leadership team in Italian (or English) and manage candidates in English, so nothing is lost between headquarters and the U.S. market.
Can you hire before we have a U.S. entity?
Yes. Many companies hire their first U.S. leader through an Employer of Record and set up their own entity later. Our guide on setting up to hire explains the options.
Do you offer a guarantee?
Yes, every placement is backed by a guarantee.
Related pages
Hiring your first leader in the U.S.?
Tell us about the role. We will share a view on the market, the realistic package and the timeline, free of charge.