Recruitment agency: Heidrick & Struggles - Brussels - Belgium

Presentation of Heidrick & Struggle

Heidrick & Struggle stands out as one of the global leaders in executive search and leadership consulting, with a well-established presence in Brussels at the heart of Europe. With over 70 years of experience in executive recruitment, the firm supports Belgian and European companies in their transformation and talent development challenges.

The Brussels team benefits from the power of the international Heidrick & Struggle network, present in over 50 offices worldwide, while developing a deep local expertise of the Belgian market. This strategic presence allows the firm to combine a global vision with a fine understanding of the cultural and regulatory specifics of the Belgian market.

The firm distinguishes itself through its high-end consultative approach, combining traditional research and technological innovation. Heidrick & Struggle has developed proprietary digital solutions and advanced assessment methodologies that enable the identification and attraction of the most sought-after talents in the market.

In the Brussels market, Heidrick & Struggle works with multinationals, growing Belgian family businesses, European institutions, and public sector organizations. The firm has built a reputation for excellence in identifying rare profiles and supporting complex organizational transformations.

Areas of Expertise

Executive Recruitment

Heidrick & Struggle has developed recognized expertise in executive recruitment, covering all executive functions from general management positions to executive committees. The Brussels team has a perfect grasp of the specific leadership challenges in a multicultural European context.

This executive specialization extends to Chief Executive Officers, Chief Financial Officers, Chief Operating Officers, and other members of the C-suite. The firm also supports the recruitment of functional directors in strategic areas such as digital transformation, sustainability, and risk management.

• Behavioral and cognitive assessment of executive candidates
• Support in defining leadership profiles suited to sector challenges
• Advisory on executive compensation and retention packages
• Support in the integration and onboarding of new executives
• Assessment of executive committees and succession plans

Healthcare & Medical

Heidrick & Struggle has developed in-depth sector expertise in healthcare and medical fields, which are undergoing significant transformation in Brussels and Belgium. The firm understands the specific challenges of these industries, from pharmaceutical research to innovative medical technologies.

This specialization covers the recruitment of medical directors, regulatory affairs managers, clinical research directors, and leaders of health institutions. The team is well-versed in European regulatory challenges and technological advancements in the medical sector.

• Recruitment of pharmaceutical and biotechnology executives
• Identification of experts in medical devices and health technologies
• Recruitment consulting for hospitals and private clinics
• Support for digital health and e-health companies
• Search for specialized profiles in regulatory affairs and market access

Industry & Manufacturing

Heidrick & Struggle deploys comprehensive industrial expertise, tailored to the transformation challenges of Belgian and European manufacturing sectors. This specialization encompasses traditional industries in transition as well as emerging industrial sectors.

The team supports the recruitment of industrial directors, production managers, supply chain leaders, and executives specialized in Industry 4.0. The firm understands the challenges of digitalization, sustainability, and optimization of industrial value chains.

• Recruitment of executives for the automotive and aerospace industries
• Identification of experts in industrial digital transformation
• Recruitment consulting for the energy and cleantech sectors
• Support for manufacturing companies undergoing restructuring
• Search for specialized profiles in lean manufacturing and continuous improvement

Services and Processes

Recruitment Methodology

Heidrick & Struggle applies a structured recruitment methodology in several phases, ensuring the quality and relevance of each assignment. The process begins with a thorough discovery phase that precisely identifies the organizational challenges and strategic issues of the position to be filled.

The research phase combines direct approach, activation of the international network, and the use of proprietary digital tools. The Brussels team mobilizes all global resources of the firm to identify the most relevant candidates, whether they are actively or passively seeking new opportunities.

Each candidate undergoes a multidimensional assessment including in-depth behavioral interviews, psychometric tests, and situational exercises. This approach validates the technical, cultural, and strategic fit with the position's challenges.

Support for Companies

The firm develops comprehensive consultative support, going beyond simple recruitment to integrate an advisory dimension in organization and leadership. The team helps companies define their leadership needs and anticipate their organizational changes.

Heidrick & Struggle also offers compensation consulting and salary benchmarking services, enabling Belgian companies to remain competitive in the European talent market. This expertise includes structuring complex compensation packages and long-term incentives.

• Organizational analysis and definition of leadership needs
• Advisory on compensation strategy and market benchmarking
• Support in managing succession processes
• Assistance in change management and integration of new leaders

Support for Candidates

Candidate support is a key pillar of the Heidrick & Struggle approach. The firm develops a lasting trust relationship with leaders and experts in its network, providing advice and support throughout their professional journey.

This approach includes personalized assistance in interview preparation, negotiation of terms, and integration into the new professional environment. The Brussels team maintains post-placement follow-up to ensure successful integration.

Competitive Advantages

Heidrick & Struggle differentiates itself through the quality of its international network and its ability to identify exceptional profiles across global markets. This international dimension is particularly valued by Belgian companies engaged in international development.

The firm invests heavily in innovation and recruitment technologies, developing proprietary artificial intelligence tools for talent identification and assessment. This tech-enabled approach accelerates processes while maintaining evaluation quality.

In-depth sector expertise is also a major differentiating factor. Each consultant develops an industry specialization that allows for a nuanced understanding of the technical, regulatory, and competitive challenges of each sector.