Our client is a well-established European financial services group with a significant international footprint. We are conducting a search for a Managing Director to lead their North American subsidiary, based in Chicago.This is the top leadership role for the region, carrying full responsibility for commercial operations across the U.S. and Canada. The successful candidate will report directly to international senior management at the European headquarters.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic and operational leadership of the North American business unit. Oversight of all core functions including sales, credit, operations, and portfolio management. Driving business development and long-term growth while aligning with the parent company's global strategy. Building and maintaining relationships with business partners, vendors, and the board. Leading and developing a local management team. Providing regular reporting to the board on business performance and key initiatives.The incoming leader will take over a stable, well-run operation and will be expected to sustain performance while identifying opportunities for continued growth.Other InformationLocation: Chicago, IL (On-site) Engagement: Fixed-term, 3 to 4 years Travel: 40 to 50%, domestic and international Relocation Assistance: Available (domestic and international)RequirementsEssentialUniversity degree5 to 10 years in a senior leadership position within leasing, commercial lending, or financial servicesDeep end-to-end understanding of the leasing business, including origination, credit, operations, and portfolio managementP&L management experience with responsibility for a corporate unit generating substantial revenueExperience across a wide range of ticket sizes and most asset classesStrong credit analysis and risk assessment capabilitiesProven ability to manage and develop teams while driving performanceSkilled in financial mathematics with a solid grasp of legal and fiscal considerationsStrong networking abilities, both within an organization and externally with partners and clientsProficiency with enterprise systems such as ERP platforms, CRM tools, and the MS Office suiteEnglish fluency at native or business-proficient levelEntrepreneurial mindset combined with operational disciplineHigh degree of flexibility, resilience, and a strong work ethicPreferredMBA or equivalent advanced degreeExperience in vendor financing and dealer channel business modelsBackground with a global leasing company or the leasing division of a major international bankPrior experience operating across both European (especially German) and North American marketsProficiency in German or another European languagePrevious international assignment or cross-border management experienceBenefitsBase salary of approximately $250,000 - $280,000 (more may be considered for an exceptional candidate)Variable incentive structure (roughly 30% of total compensation) 25 paid leave daysComprehensive benefits package including 401(k), medical, dental, vision, life insurance, prescription drug coverage, and disability insuranceCompany car (partial maintenance)Why This RoleThis is a rare opportunity to serve as the senior-most leader of a well-established international subsidiary in North America. The incoming executive will inherit a solid operational foundation and have the mandate to shape the business's next chapter, with the backing and resources of a large European financial services group. The position offers meaningful autonomy, direct engagement with global leadership, and the chance to leave a lasting mark on a growing platform.Keller is a recruitment agency that provides services to clients ranging from startups and non profits to multinational corporations. Keller emphasizes ethical search processes, attentive candidate care, and leadership placements that support long-term client outcomes.To learn more about the firm and about our candidate services - please visitExecutive Search Chicago | Chicago Recruiters & HeadhuntersEqual Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination PolicyEqual Employment Opportunity Statement: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, whether with Keller Executive Search or our clients, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.Commitment to Diversity: Keller Executive Search and its clients are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where all individuals are valued and respected.Reasonable Accommodations: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and pregnant individuals. We engage in an interactive process to determine effective, reasonable accommodations.Compensation Information: For client positions, compensation information is available in the job post. If not provided, it will be shared during the interview process in accordance with applicable laws. When required by law, salary ranges will be included in job postings. Actual salary may depend on skills, experience, and comparison to current employees in similar roles. Salary ranges may vary based on role and location.Compliance with Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all employment terms and conditions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.Workplace Harassment: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients expressly prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on race, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.E-Verify Participation: Keller Executive Search and/or our clients may participate in E-Verify. Information about E-Verify participation will be provided during the application process where applicable.Privacy and Pay Equity:California Residents: For more information about the categories of personal information we collect for recruiting and employment purposes, please review our Privacy Policy.Colorado, Nevada, New York City, California, and Washington Residents: Compensation information is available in the job post or will be provided during the interview process if not initially available.Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to pay equity and conduct periodic pay equity analyses in accordance with applicable laws.State-Specific Information:Rhode Island: We do not request or require salary history from applicants.Connecticut: We provide wage range information upon request or before discussing compensation.New Jersey: We do not inquire about salary history unless voluntarily disclosed.Veteran Status: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients provide equal employment opportunities to veterans and comply with applicable state laws regarding veteran preference in employment. If you are a veteran, please inform us during the application process.Genetic Information: In accordance with federal and state laws, both Keller Executive Search and our clients do not discriminate based on genetic information. We do not request or require genetic information from applicants or employees, except as permitted by law.Local Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with all applicable local laws and ordinances regarding employment practices in the areas where we operate.Keller Executive Search and our clients may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the recruitment and candidate evaluation process. These tools are used exclusively to support human decision-making by helping to review and assess candidate qualifications and materials. AI is never used to automatically reject, disqualify, or make final hiring decisions about candidates. All AI-assisted evaluations are reviewed by experienced recruitment professionals, and all hiring decisions are made by qualified human recruiters. Our use of AI is designed to enhance fairness, consistency, and efficiency while maintaining our commitment to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination principles.Note: This job posting may be for a position with Keller Executive Search or one of our clients. The specific employer will be identified during the application and interview process. Employment laws and requirements may vary depending on the employer and location.
Our client is a well-established European financial services group with a significant international footprint. We are conducting a search for a Managing Director to lead their North American subsidiary, based in Chicago.
This is the top leadership role for the region, carrying full responsibility for commercial operations across the U.S. and Canada. The successful candidate will report directly to international senior management at the European headquarters.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic and operational leadership of the North American business unit.
- Oversight of all core functions including sales, credit, operations, and portfolio management.
- Driving business development and long-term growth while aligning with the parent company's global strategy.
- Building and maintaining relationships with business partners, vendors, and the board.
- Leading and developing a local management team.
- Providing regular reporting to the board on business performance and key initiatives.
The incoming leader will take over a stable, well-run operation and will be expected to sustain performance while identifying opportunities for continued growth.
Other Information
- Location: Chicago, IL (On-site)
- Engagement: Fixed-term, 3 to 4 years
- Travel: 40 to 50%, domestic and international
- Relocation Assistance: Available (domestic and international)
Requirements
Essential
- University degree
- 5 to 10 years in a senior leadership position within leasing, commercial lending, or financial services
- Deep end-to-end understanding of the leasing business, including origination, credit, operations, and portfolio management
- P&L management experience with responsibility for a corporate unit generating substantial revenue
- Experience across a wide range of ticket sizes and most asset classes
- Strong credit analysis and risk assessment capabilities
- Proven ability to manage and develop teams while driving performance
- Skilled in financial mathematics with a solid grasp of legal and fiscal considerations
- Strong networking abilities, both within an organization and externally with partners and clients
- Proficiency with enterprise systems such as ERP platforms, CRM tools, and the MS Office suite
- English fluency at native or business-proficient level
- Entrepreneurial mindset combined with operational discipline
- High degree of flexibility, resilience, and a strong work ethic
Preferred
- MBA or equivalent advanced degree
- Experience in vendor financing and dealer channel business models
- Background with a global leasing company or the leasing division of a major international bank
- Prior experience operating across both European (especially German) and North American markets
- Proficiency in German or another European language
- Previous international assignment or cross-border management experience
Benefits
- Base salary of approximately $250,000 - $280,000 (more may be considered for an exceptional candidate)
- Variable incentive structure (roughly 30% of total compensation)
- 25 paid leave days
- Comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), medical, dental, vision, life insurance, prescription drug coverage, and disability insurance
- Company car (partial maintenance)
Why This Role
This is a rare opportunity to serve as the senior-most leader of a well-established international subsidiary in North America. The incoming executive will inherit a solid operational foundation and have the mandate to shape the business's next chapter, with the backing and resources of a large European financial services group. The position offers meaningful autonomy, direct engagement with global leadership, and the chance to leave a lasting mark on a growing platform.
Keller is a recruitment agency that provides services to clients ranging from startups and non profits to multinational corporations. Keller emphasizes ethical search processes, attentive candidate care, and leadership placements that support long-term client outcomes.
To learn more about the firm and about our candidate services - please visit
Executive Search Chicago | Chicago Recruiters & Headhunters
Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, whether with Keller Executive Search or our clients, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.
Commitment to Diversity: Keller Executive Search and its clients are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where all individuals are valued and respected.
Reasonable Accommodations: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and pregnant individuals. We engage in an interactive process to determine effective, reasonable accommodations.
Compensation Information: For client positions, compensation information is available in the job post. If not provided, it will be shared during the interview process in accordance with applicable laws. When required by law, salary ranges will be included in job postings. Actual salary may depend on skills, experience, and comparison to current employees in similar roles. Salary ranges may vary based on role and location.
Compliance with Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all employment terms and conditions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Workplace Harassment: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients expressly prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on race, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.
E-Verify Participation: Keller Executive Search and/or our clients may participate in E-Verify. Information about E-Verify participation will be provided during the application process where applicable.
Privacy and Pay Equity:
- California Residents: For more information about the categories of personal information we collect for recruiting and employment purposes, please review our Privacy Policy.
- Colorado, Nevada, New York City, California, and Washington Residents: Compensation information is available in the job post or will be provided during the interview process if not initially available.
- Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to pay equity and conduct periodic pay equity analyses in accordance with applicable laws.
State-Specific Information:
- Rhode Island: We do not request or require salary history from applicants.
- Connecticut: We provide wage range information upon request or before discussing compensation.
- New Jersey: We do not inquire about salary history unless voluntarily disclosed.
Veteran Status: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients provide equal employment opportunities to veterans and comply with applicable state laws regarding veteran preference in employment. If you are a veteran, please inform us during the application process.
Genetic Information: In accordance with federal and state laws, both Keller Executive Search and our clients do not discriminate based on genetic information. We do not request or require genetic information from applicants or employees, except as permitted by law.
Local Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with all applicable local laws and ordinances regarding employment practices in the areas where we operate.
Keller Executive Search and our clients may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the recruitment and candidate evaluation process. These tools are used exclusively to support human decision-making by helping to review and assess candidate qualifications and materials. AI is never used to automatically reject, disqualify, or make final hiring decisions about candidates. All AI-assisted evaluations are reviewed by experienced recruitment professionals, and all hiring decisions are made by qualified human recruiters. Our use of AI is designed to enhance fairness, consistency, and efficiency while maintaining our commitment to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination principles.
Note: This job posting may be for a position with Keller Executive Search or one of our clients. The specific employer will be identified during the application and interview process. Employment laws and requirements may vary depending on the employer and location.
Keller Executive Search International is a global executive search that recruits senior leaders for prominent brands and organizations. We offer full-spectrum services, such as Executive Search, Board Services, CEO Succession Planning, Executive Assessment, Business Culture Review, and Corporate Handover.
Keller Executive Search International is a global executive search that recruits senior leaders for prominent brands and organizations. We offer full-spectrum services, such as Executive Search, Board Services, CEO Succession Planning, Executive Assessment, Business Culture Review, and Corporate Handover.
