Executive Search and Advisory since 2005

Who will deliver the impact your specific environment requires?

Business-critical appointments are often made under significant time pressure and in highly dynamic conditions. We identify leaders who can take ownership within the realities of your organisation and translate strategic objectives into measurable progress.

Let us discuss your current leadership appointment in confidence.

CEO / Managing Director CFO COO CHRO Chief Commercial Officer Chief Transformation Officer Chief Procurement Officer Chief AI Officer VP Sales Director Quality Head of Regulatory Affairs General Manager Private Equity Mid-sized Companies Growth Transformation Succession Buy & Build International Expansion Turnaround MedTech Healthcare Technology Industry Defence
2 to 10 business days to the first qualified candidates in many assignments
30 to 60 days to contract signature in many assignments
>95% 12-month retention based on internal analysis
SOLUTIONS

The right approach for your current leadership appointment.

Critical appointments rarely fail because of a CV.

The real challenge usually emerges later: when the process loses momentum, relevant candidates remain out of reach, or internal stakeholders lack clarity about which form of support will make the greatest difference.

Our analysis identifies where the greatest leverage lies in your current appointment situation.

01

When relevant candidates are not being reached

Many key roles are not filled through visibility alone, but through targeted direct search and access to the right networks.

02

When internal expectations diverge

Different priorities across management, HR and the business function create friction later in the process.

03

When candidates are difficult to compare

More candidates do not improve a decision if the relevant differences remain unclear.

04

Where the greatest leverage lies now

Not every situation requires the same solution. This is precisely where our analysis begins.

Which action will create the greatest progress now?

A concise assessment of your current appointment situation, for organisations seeking to fill key roles faster, more precisely and with greater confidence.

8QUESTIONS
5’MINUTES
7SOLUTIONS
FIND THE RIGHT APPROACH

Confidential and without obligation.

Typical Reasons to Engage Us

When a key role will determine growth, execution or stability, and the central question is which leader can succeed under the organisation’s actual conditions.

When is a conversation worthwhile?

Often when a role is vacant, a business area must be built, a transformation requires leadership, several candidates appear equally compelling, or the appointment is internally sensitive.

01

A key role is vacant and every week matters.

Targeted identification of relevant candidates, delivered with discretion and exacting quality standards.

02

A business area must grow or be built from the ground up.

Leaders for build-up, scaling, expanded responsibilities and operational execution.

03

A transformation requires leadership.

When strategy will only translate into impact if the right person takes ownership.

04

Several candidates appear equally compelling.

A structured assessment of who is most likely to perform sustainably in the specific organisational setting.

05

The appointment is internally sensitive.

Discreet outreach, professional process management and clear communication in the market.

06

The final decision requires greater clarity.

C-level, commercial, operations, quality, finance or critical succession roles.

When one of these situations applies, a confidential initial conversation is worthwhile.

Schedule a confidential conversation

Where we create tangible value for organisations.

The right person for the specific business situation: professionally strong, sustainable within the organisational setting and capable of delivering lasting impact.

Common questions before engaging us →
01

Executive Search

Targeted identification and discreet direct outreach, grounded in a clear understanding of the role, the business objective and the relevant candidate market.

Direct Search Passive Candidates Targeted Shortlisting
02

Alignment with the Role

CVs demonstrate experience. They do not automatically reveal who will succeed in a specific environment. We assess alignment with the role, the team and the organisation’s stage of development.

Context Analysis Team Alignment Stage Alignment
03

Clarity Between Strong Candidates

When several candidates are compelling, we make the relevant differences visible. The decisive question is who can create sustainable impact under the organisation’s specific conditions.

Decision Clarity Long-term Sustainability
Our Process

How We Manage Business-Critical Appointments

For us, Executive Search extends far beyond identifying candidates. We guide organisations through critical appointment decisions in a structured manner, from the initial definition of the mandate through to the successful integration of the appointed executive.

Our focus remains on alignment with the role, process momentum, confidentiality and long-term effectiveness within the specific organisational environment.

Business Objectives and Context
Challenges and Dynamics
Detailed Role Requirements
Success Criteria and Priorities
Search Strategy and Target Market
Targeted Direct Outreach
Network and Market Expertise
Discreet Outreach
Early Validation of Interest
Qualified Shortlist
Structured Initial Interviews
In-depth Interviews
Leadership Behaviour and Style
Motivation and Reasons for Change
Alignment with Role, Stage and Scope
Professional Background
Impact and Leadership Profile
Motivation and Expectations
Potential Areas of Tension
Alignment with the Situation
Interview Coordination
Comparison and Assessment
Decision Discussions
Offer and Contract Phase
Sensitive Alignment
For complex final decisions, an optional in-depth DeciScope impact analysis
Onboarding Support
Expectation Alignment
Early Leadership Dynamics
Satisfaction Review
Long-term Point of Contact
Confidential. Structured. Decision-focused.

We have advised organisations on transformation, growth and demanding leadership appointments since 2005.

Our mandates arise when a role must achieve more than a job description can capture: enable growth, execute transformation or provide stability through a critical phase.

Learn more →
“An appointment is strong when it advances the business objective.”
Kerstin Hoffarth, Founder and Managing Director
“Ms Hoffarth demonstrates an exceptional level of professionalism. Her shortlist was strong from a professional perspective and highly aligned with our specific environment and organisational dynamics.”
HR Leadership, MedTech
“Several candidates initially appeared equally strong. The structured analysis helped us identify differences that conventional interviews would not have revealed.”
CEO, Technology Company
“We had several candidates whose professional credentials were highly compelling. What proved particularly valuable was the additional perspective on how each person would be likely to lead, prioritise and work with shareholders and management in our specific environment.”
Partner, Private Equity
“Kerstin Hoffarth and her team supported us on several demanding key appointments. In a challenging market, critical positions were filled quickly with highly relevant candidates. Their understanding of our situation, the quality of the shortlist and the clear communication throughout the process were particularly compelling.”
HR Leadership Germany, Industrial Sector

Experience Across Completed Mandates

Search mandates are often initiated under considerable time pressure. At the same time, the quality of the decision must remain sustainable over the long term. The following figures provide context for our work across different appointment situations.

2 to 10

business days to the first qualified candidates in many assignments

30 to 60

days to contract signature in many assignments

>95%

12-month retention based on internal analysis

Source: Internal analysis of completed Executive Search mandates and appointment processes conducted by Hoffarth Consulting.

These figures reflect past experience and do not constitute a commitment for any individual mandate, search process or appointment. Outcomes may vary depending on the role, market availability, sector, location, compensation parameters, decision processes and confidentiality requirements.

When the Situation Requires More Than Search

Some situations require additional clarity before, during or after the search process.

01

Sensitive Leadership Transitions

Support for internal succession, confidential transitions and critical leadership decisions.

02

Final Selection Decisions

Support in assessing the relevant differences between strong candidates.

03

Executive Onboarding

Support during the first months, establishing early clarity on expectations, stakeholders and scope of responsibility.

Are you currently appointing a key executive?

A confidential conversation when a key appointment will determine growth, stability or transformation.