Challenge
A Private Equity–backed beauty group needed to appoint two Managing Directors to take full P&L and leadership responsibility for two critical European markets: France and Spain.
Each Managing Director required deep local consumer market knowledge, proven leadership and change-management capability, and hands-on experience within the beauty or luxury sector. The group’s headquarters were not located in capital cities and required weekly multi-day on-site presence, significantly narrowing the viable talent pool.
These hires were central to value creation. The mandate was to transform regional performance and accelerate growth. The client could not afford a “good enough” appointment or a prolonged ramp-up period.
Attracting senior beauty leaders outside Paris or Madrid had already proven difficult. Discretion was essential.
Why River
The client engaged River to run a highly confidential, insight-led search capable of reaching senior leaders who would typically rule out relocation. River’s ability to conduct granular market mapping, protect confidentiality, and engage commercially proven operators in competitive consumer markets was critical.
Approach
- Ran two parallel, market-specific searches across France and Spain
- Mapped senior leadership talent across the Beauty and Luxury ecosystem in both markets
- Identified brands and maisons aligned in scale, positioning, and operational complexity
- Benchmarked leaders with experience in premium positioning, digital distribution, and performance transformation
- Operated under strict NDAs to protect confidentiality
- Acted as advisor and filter, stress-testing motivation, relocation appetite, leadership style, and cultural alignment
Outcome & Impact
- Identified 126 senior beauty leaders across France and Spain
- Built a 67% female candidate pool
- Delivered candidates drawn from top premium and luxury brands with strong digital expertise
- Successfully appointed two Managing Directors — both female — in France and Spain
These appointments strengthened regional leadership, accelerated performance transformation, and directly supported the group’s value creation strategy.