Driving the Future of Automotive & Mobility Leadership

The automotive industry isn’t just evolving—it’s being redefined. Electrification, AI-driven autonomy, and mobility-as-a-service are transforming the sector, creating both challenges and opportunities. Success requires executives who merge deep industry knowledge with digital fluency, sustainability expertise, and strategic foresight. At Ward Howell, we help OEMs, suppliers, tech disruptors, and mobility providers secure forward-thinking leaders who drive innovation and shape the next era of transportation.

Shaping the Visionaries Who Will Drive the Future of Transportation

The automotive industry is shifting from hardware-driven engineering to software-powered mobility ecosystems. This transformation demands executives who understand both industrial excellence and digital disruption—leaders who can drive innovation while balancing regulation, supply chain shifts, and changing consumer expectations.

Key Leadership Challenges in the Automotive Industry

The future of automotive leadership requires expertise beyond traditional manufacturing. Industry executives must now master technology, sustainability, and operational resilience to remain ahead.

Electrification & Sustainable Mobility
Digital Transformation & Software-Defined Vehicles
Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) & New Business Models
Supply Chain Resilience & Global Operations

Our Expertise: Building the Talent Engine for Automotive Transformation

  • CEO & Boardroom Excellence

Navigating automotive transformation requires strategic visionaries with deep industry and operational expertise. We specialize in:

  • Identifying CEOs, COOs, and CFOs who can balance innovation, execution, and profitability.
  • Strengthening board governance to align with emerging mobility trends, sustainability mandates, and digital disruption.
  • Advising on succession planning for OEMs, suppliers, and high-growth auto-tech ventures.
  • Electrification & Sustainability Strategy

The shift toward clean energy mobility demands executives with expertise in:

  • Scaling EV production, securing battery supply chains, and integrating alternative fuel solutions.
  • Navigating sustainability regulations and embedding ESG practices across the value chain.
  • Developing circular economy models, optimizing resource efficiency, and driving decarbonization initiatives.
  • Digital & Autonomous Innovation

With vehicles evolving into software-driven platforms, automotive companies must attract top-tier technology talent. We help organizations:

  • Secure Chief Digital Officers, AI specialists, and cybersecurity experts for next-generation mobility solutions.
  • Build cross-functional teams that integrate automotive engineering, AI-driven safety systems, and cloud-based vehicle ecosystems.
  • Identify product and platform leaders who can shape data-driven mobility experiences and digital vehicle architectures.
  • Commercial Strategy & Mobility Solutions

The industry is shifting from traditional car ownership models to subscription-based, on-demand mobility services. We help businesses:

  • Find executives for ride-sharing, fleet management, and digital commerce platforms.
  • Develop Chief Commercial Officers and revenue strategists to drive customer-centric transformation.
  • Identify leaders who can monetize connected services, AI-driven logistics, and urban mobility networks.
  • Manufacturing, Operations & Supply Chain Excellence

As global disruptions reshape automotive production and logistics, companies must optimize efficiency while ensuring resilience. Our expertise includes:

  • Recruiting COOs and operations experts to lead lean manufacturing, Industry 4.0, and cost-efficient production models.
  • Strengthening procurement and supply chain leadership to mitigate geopolitical risks and regulatory hurdles.
  • Supporting mergers, acquisitions, and integrations for streamlined supplier networks and global expansion.

At Ward Howell, we don’t just find executives—we develop leadership solutions that future-proof businesses in the rapidly evolving automotive sector. Whether you’re an OEM transforming into a tech-first mobility provider, a supplier integrating AI and automation, or a startup redefining urban transport, we provide the expertise and global reach to secure the right talent.

The automotive future is being written today—does your leadership team have the vision to drive it?

Partner

Bernd Prasuhn

Chairman of the Global Board

Benedikt Rinio

Managing Partner & Chief Marketing Officer

Matt Clemens

Managing Partner

HANS STREMME

Managing Partner

JENS HAGEDORN

MANAGING PARTNER

GARY KOH

Managing Partner

Tarek Saifi

Partner

Jun Fu

Partner

Paul Lee

Associate Partner

Werner Laber

PARTNER

Megan Cook

Director

Dana Tomkovicz

Director

Rupert Wiest

PARTNER

Philipp Veit

Senior Consultant & Head of Research

Jovana Ćurković

Consultant

Tijana Skenderija

Consultant