Case Study

Strengthening Organizational Transformation Through Executive Leadership in Barcelona

Case Studies

Industry

International Organization

Location

Barcelona

Number of Employees

60+

CLIENT OVERVIEW

Our client is an intergovernmental organization based in Barcelona, bringing together countries and institutional partners to promote regional cooperation, dialogue, and sustainable development.

Supported by a diverse team of more than 60 international professionals, the organization operates across cultures, nationalities, and institutional frameworks. Its work requires close coordination among governments, public institutions, and other stakeholders, creating a complex environment in which strong internal leadership and effective administration are essential.

CHALLENGE

During a significant period of organizational transformation, the client needed to appoint a Director of Administration who could strengthen its administrative function and help guide the organization through change.

This was not a conventional administrative leadership search. The successful candidate needed to combine:

Senior leadership experience within an international or intergovernmental organization
Strong administrative and organizational management capabilities
The ability to work within complex institutional and governance structures
Experience leading teams through organizational transformation
Cross-cultural awareness and confidence working with international stakeholders
The adaptability to provide direction in a changing environment

Given the strategic importance of the position, the client required more than a candidate who met the technical criteria. It needed a leader who understood the realities of international organizations and could support both immediate transformation priorities and the organization’s longer-term development.

SOLUTION

Avomind designed and conducted a highly targeted international executive search focused on senior leaders with the right combination of institutional experience, leadership capability, and adaptability.

The search began with a detailed assessment of the position, the organization’s operating environment, and the leadership qualities required during its transformation. This allowed Avomind to build a focused candidate profile that extended beyond administrative expertise to include change leadership, international exposure, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments.

Using its international executive search network, Avomind identified and approached senior professionals with relevant experience across international organizations, public institutions, and similarly complex environments.

Each candidate was carefully assessed against several key areas:

Experience leading administrative or corporate functions
Understanding of international organizational structures
Ability to manage multicultural teams and diverse stakeholders
Leadership during periods of institutional or organizational change
Alignment with the organization’s evolving priorities and working environment

Throughout the process, Avomind acted as a strategic talent partner, maintaining close communication with the client and refining the search as its needs developed. By presenting a carefully curated shortlist of highly relevant profiles, Avomind enabled the organization’s leadership team to concentrate its time on the strongest candidates.

OUTCOME

The client successfully appointed its new Director of Administration, securing the senior leadership required to strengthen its internal operations and support its ongoing transformation.

With the right leader in place, the organization was able to:

Reinforce its administrative leadership and internal capabilities
Navigate organizational change with greater clarity and direction
Improve alignment between administrative priorities and broader institutional objectives
Support international teams and stakeholders through a period of transition
Establish a stronger foundation for the organization’s long-term development