IESF Member Country:
Turkey
Benson & Partners delivers executive search and leadership consulting in Turkey, Europe and the Middle East for international organisations and specialist niche companies. Senior partners are personally involved in C-suite and functional assignments across consumer sectors, life sciences and industry, complementing search with management advisory and confidential outplacement support.
Seher Demirci
Managing Partner at Benson & Partners
Executive recruitment in Turkey – what should you know before entering this market?
Turkish business is largely built on family-owned companies, many of which are professionalising or appointing external executives for the first time. The combination of corporate standards and an entrepreneurial way of operating is therefore a rare and particularly valuable capability.
Finance, commercial, operations and HR roles are most frequently sought, alongside digital transformation leaders. Recruiting senior managers in Turkey should assess local relationships, international experience and the ability to operate under uncertainty. The professionalisation of family-owned companies also requires mature management of owner relationships.
Economic and currency volatility makes candidates more cautious. Remuneration packages in volatile conditions need clear review mechanisms and protection of real value.
Entering the Turkish market requires a company to demonstrate the stability of its investment and its remuneration mechanism. Senior leadership recruitment in Turkey needs a strong employer brand and an efficient decision process. Executive search in Turkey should also reflect candidates’ greater caution about changing roles.
Professionalisation creates new executive roles
Growing family-owned companies are appointing their first external CFOs, COOs, sales directors and HR leaders. Success depends on a clear mandate, owners’ readiness to delegate and the leader’s ability to introduce processes without slowing the business.
Corporate discipline with entrepreneurship is rare
The most sought-after candidates understand the standards of a global organisation but can operate flexibly and remain personally engaged in the business. This combination requires active outreach because these individuals are usually highly valued by their current employers.
Volatility raises expectations of the offer
Candidates analyse currency risk, owner stability, benefits and flexibility. A transparent remuneration review mechanism and a credible investment plan may matter more than a high but unpredictable starting figure.
International
Executive Search
with local expertise
Your business has no borders. Neither do our recruitment projects. Through IESF, we connect you with leaders in markets worldwide, combining local expertise with a consistent standard of cooperation
and quality.
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