- Intense initial briefing to deeply understand the client's needs, its organization and environment. Definition of the search criteria and specifications.
Our role is to make it easier. By combining strategic advice with technology-enabled tools, we guide every step through a clear milestone process. Working side by side with our clients, we build custom executive search plans and draw on a global network to connect with leaders who truly fit.
Service flow for our headhunting service
In depth briefing of client's organization needs and environment.
Weekly follow up of candidates and market reports.
100+ executives contacted per search.
Conducted by at least 2 members of our team.
360º approach.
Monitor employee onboarding process.
Sector: European company that renders advanced engineering services to mining and oil companies around the world.
Position: Chief Financial Officer based in Shanghai.
Situation: Our client was looking to hire a CFO, based in Shanghai, to support a local business of around US$ 40M reporting to the regional APAC CFO.
Challenging points: As a publicly traded company. our client could not publicly disclose the need for the CFO
Our result: We successfully closed our executive search within 2 months for a local experienced candidate with more than 16 years of experience in Finance and Auditing. He was used to reporting to the President and Director of the Asian branch in his previous employer. He later expanded his responsibilities into all Accounting, Financial, Treasury & Tax issues.
Sector: Global leader in food packaging with over 1bn USD in sales.
Position: India Business Development Director (M&A)
Situation: Our client wanted to expand into the Indian market and explore potential opportunities for mergers and acquisitions.
Challenging points: Our client wished to hire a candidate with strong M&A knowledge and experience in the Indian Market, coming from the food packaging industry. He also needed to be fluent in Hindi, Spanish and English and willing to work in India for the long term.
Our result: We successfully closed the executive search with a Spanish candidate that had lived in India for 8 years. He had a strong experience in Business Development across the Indian market working mainly in the food processing sector.
Zavala Civitas follows a structured methodology covering Search Definition & Strategy, Candidate Development, Candidate Evaluation & Presentation, and Placement & Onboarding Support. Each search involves direct contact with 100+ candidates, interviews by at least 2 consultants, 360º reference checks and tailored assessments. Clients receive progress updates every 7-10 days throughout the process.
: Zavala Civitas delivers a shortlist of candidates within weeks of launching the assignment, with an average placement time of 2.5 months. For more complex or senior positions the timeline may extend depending on market availability. The firm also provides 6 months of onboarding support after placement to ensure successful integration of the appointed leader.
Zavala Civitas achieves a 92% closing rate in executive search assignments, significantly above the industry average. This results from partner-led execution, extensive market mapping with 100+ candidates contacted per search, and rigorous evaluation by at least 2 consultants per candidate.
Zavala Civitas conducts executive searches across a wide range of sectors including Consumer & Luxury, Financial Services, Life Sciences, Private Capital, Industrial, EPC & Renewable Energies, Digital & Technology, Legal & Professional Services and Education & Nonprofit, among others. For specific sector references and case studies, contact us directly at info@zavalacivitas.com.
Yes. Zavala Civitas operates globally with offices in Madrid, Shanghai and Toronto, and an established presence across Europe (Spain, Germany, UK), the Middle East, Asia Pacific (China, India, Australia), and the Americas (USA, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina). The firm has successfully closed searches across all these markets.
Zavala Civitas focuses exclusively on senior and C-suite leadership appointments — the mandates that are hardest to fill. This includes CEOs, CFOs, COOs, Managing Directors, Board Members and senior functional leaders. The firm specializes in complex, cross-border searches with specific cultural, linguistic or market requirements that demand deep expertise and a global network.
Zavala Civitas operates as a premium, highly personalized boutique for complex and hard-to-fill mandates. The process is structured in three stages: consultants conduct the first interviews, partners conduct the second round incorporating assessments and psychometric tests, and clients meet only the strongest shortlisted candidates — each with full references, assessment results and all the information needed to make a confident decision. The firm handles negotiation support, offer structuring and includes a guarantee period post-placement. No handoffs, no junior-led execution — every mandate receives senior attention from brief to close.