Your Partner in Building Effective Leadership Teams

To strengthen your leadership team, Remote People provides dedicated executive search support designed to connect you with the right senior talent in Poland. We understand the local business culture, market dynamics, and leadership landscape—giving your organization an edge in securing executives who fit both your strategic vision and corporate values.

Our approach goes beyond introductions; we help you assess leadership capabilities, align expectations, and ensure smooth integration into your organization. With our expertise, you gain access to a broader pool of candidates while reducing the risks of a misaligned hire.

Partner with Remote People to navigate Poland‘s executive hiring process with clarity and confidence.

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Introduction & Market Context

Executive search in Poland aims to source and attract the best senior executives. To target these kinds of people, senior decision-makers and board-level leaders, a different approach to the one taken by the standard recruitment processes is needed. Poland is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, which translates into an ever-increasing demand for specialists across the spectrum. A standard recruitment process tends to cover the mid-level or specialist vacancies; for more senior positions, it needs to be discreet, well-prepared, and well-researched, leaving some space for flexibility. It’s all about finding someone who will significantly impact the organisation and ensure its long-term success.

For every Polish or multinational company operating in Poland, appointing the right C-suite executives is a strategically important task. Whether it’s a CEO, CFO, or CTO, each board member significantly influences the strategic direction, corporate governance, and overall competitiveness of the business in a fast-changing market environment.

The job market for executives in Poland is very active, with high demand in technology, financial services, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing industries. Employers also express a shortage of skills at the leadership level with international experience, as well as the length of notice periods and increasing expectations on compensation, as talent is slowly but surely entering Western European salary ranges. Cultural fit, as well as understanding of the Polish business environment and corporate governance, are valued.

Remote People supports companies as a trusted partner in Poland, combining local expertise with global networks to provide tailored executive search solutions.

Our Executive Search Process

  • Role Profiling & Strategy: We work closely with clients to understand their requirements and leadership gaps. We then develop a strategy for approaching the market positioning and determining what leadership style would fit in the right direction.
  • Market Mapping & Outreach: We use our unique industry networks and competitor analysis to research target markets and identify active and passive candidates.
  • Assessment & Shortlisting: This includes a leadership interview, competency and psychometric testing, and detailed reference checking on functional and cultural fit.
  • Client Interviews & Selection: We coordinate interviews between candidates and key stakeholders, ensuring they are guided through the evaluation process and kept engaged.
  • Offer & Onboarding: Advanced negotiation and onboarding support, including negotiation on total compensation and ensuring the role transition is as seamless as possible with continued onboarding support.

Maintaining confidentiality and attention to detail is critical in all stages, especially when handling confidential replacements and strategic organizational changes.

Board & C-Suite Appointments

Board and C-suite appointments are the most complex in the executive search process. There is a demand for insight into governance requirements, regulatory compliance, and strategic vision for complex business environments.

Current appointments focus on governance expertise, digital transformation skills, and ESG knowledge. Leaders in Poland should be aware of the Commercial Companies Code (Kodeks Spółek Handlowych) and the EU Company Law Directive. 

The most common appointments are CEO, CFO (also with investor relations and financial strategy), COO (for businesses in growth or scaling phase), CTO (for digital transformation), CMO (brand building), and VP-level. In the case of supervisory boards, it is important to look for independent members who meet criteria defined by the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF).

Strengthen Your Leadership Team with Executive Search in Poland

Struggling to find the right executives in Poland? Remote People helps you identify and secure senior leaders who align with your vision and culture.

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International & Expat Executive Placements

International executive placements can be a great way for Polish organizations to grow and transform faster. Candidates with global experience, a proven track record of transformation, and cross-market experience can help bring fresh ideas and solutions to a business and give it an advantage over its competitors.

Hiring a foreign executive in Poland involves obtaining visas and work permits. It usually starts with applying for a work permit at the local Voivodeship Office. Depending on the case, the processing time can vary from one to three months. Citizens of the EU and EEA countries have easier processes, but foreigners from other countries require other approvals. 

The most common permits for non-EU executives are as follows:

  • Type A Work Permit: This is issued to an executive directly employed by a Polish company.
  • Type B Work Permit: This is issued to a board member of a Polish entity who is to stay in Poland for a period exceeding six months in 12 consecutive months.
  • Type C, D, and E Work Permits: These are issued to executives seconded to Poland by a foreign employer in various arrangements.
  • National Visa (D-type): Usually tied to work permits. Permits long-term stays up to one year.
  • Temporary Residence and Work Permit: A Combination of a residence and a work permit, valid for up to three years and renewable.

This might be overwhelming for business owners. So partnering with us at Remote People can be a smart choice. We support clients through Poland’s visa and work permit processes.

Industries We Serve

Technology & Digital Services

Poland’s technology industry is focused in Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, and the Tri-City area (Gdańsk-Sopot-Gdynia). The country’s special economic zones can provide tax incentives in this sector, and technology companies are also supported via Polish Investment and Trade Agency programs. Tax and regulatory issues include those stemming from a new “Polish Deal” tax reform package, with implications for R&D tax credits and IP Box tax breaks for income from software development.

Financial Services & Fintech

Financial services institutions are supervised by the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF). Financial services industry leaders must have experience and skill to obtain a banking license, a payment institution permit, or insurance authorization. Fintech businesses’ leaders also face PSD2 requirements and AML regulations, making it especially valuable to have regulatory experience and connections to KNF.

Life Sciences & Healthcare

Healthcare industry executives are aided by the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBiR) funding and facilitative medical device regulations. Yet, commercial success also demands expert reimbursement knowledge with the National Health Fund (NFZ) and pricing negotiations with the Ministry of Health.

Manufacturing & Supply Chain

Manufacturing executives must understand Poland’s automotive industry regulations, aerospace industry standards, and compliance with EU environmental directives.

Energy & Infrastructure

This industry requires executives who are familiar with the Polish Power Exchange (TGE), auctions for renewable energy investment, coal transition policies, and the EU Green Deal.

Consumer Goods & Retail

Rapidly changing consumer preferences, lifestyle trends, and e-commerce growth demand CEOs, CMOs, and senior-level executives experienced in digital commerce, supply chains, and customer experience strategy.

Why Partner with Remote People

  • Proven Track Record: We’ve placed senior executives across various industries in Poland, with high retention rates and a significant impact.
  • Sector Expertise: Our specialized consultants deeply understand every industry’s business challenges, competition, and leadership requirements.
  • Global Reach, Local Insight: Using our international networks, we connect organizations with local and international leaders who meet their unique business requirements.
  • Rigorous Vetting: All candidates undergo more than a CV review. We use psychometric testing, reference validation, and competency-based interviews to ensure the perfect fit for long-term success.
  • Post-Placement Support: It’s not all over when the placement is made. With 90-day check-ins, onboarding assistance, and continued consultation, we help new executives perform faster and stay longer.

Timing & Market Considerations

Timing is an important factor in most executive searches in Poland. Although executive searches may be initiated at any time of the year, the months of highest activity are between January and March. This is when new budgets are set and finalized, year-end results are known, and bonus payments are due. Summer is a slower period for most executive searches in Poland, as many executives are on holiday, but activity resumes strongly in September and October.

Most senior-level searches range from three to six months. Searches for C-suite positions are on the longer end, four to six months, given the necessary level of due diligence. VP-level positions typically fall in the three to four-month range.

A factor that affects timelines is notice periods. Under the Polish Labor Code, notice depends on years of service and can last up to three months. This means that their start date may be delayed even after a candidate is secured.

Fee Models & Engagement Options

Poland’s executive search market primarily operates on a retained fee basis for C-suite and board-level positions. Fees are typically calculated as one-third of the target’s expected annual salary, payable as a retainer and subsequent milestone payments.

Alternatives include interim executive assignments for short-term leadership, confidential search for sensitive leadership transitions, and sometimes placement guarantees for added assurance.

Future Outlook for Executive Search in Poland

In the coming years, executive search in Poland will remain growth-oriented, given market trends. We will see demand for change-makers in all industries, including renewables, digital services, and healthcare.

New executive roles like Chief AI Officer, Chief Sustainability Officer, or ESG will also drive demand. This is a consequence of Poland’s adaptation to the EU’s sustainability regulations and a global trend towards digitalization and responsible businesses.

Search practices, more sophisticated assessment tools, and a greater focus on diversity will continue to shape leadership selection in Poland.

Strong Leadership Starts with the Right Hire — Secure Top Executives in Poland Today!

Securing the right executive talent is a strategic priority for organizations dealing with complex leadership needs. Remote People provides discreet, high-level executive search services tailored to Poland’s market realities.

Contact us today to know about the latest market insights. Our specialized team will help you secure top leaders who will impact your business’s success.