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.
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
Judit Kollesch
Partner
HANS STREMME
Managing Partner
JENS HAGEDORN
MANAGING PARTNER
GARY KOH
Managing Partner
Paul Surridge
Partner
Christian Hecker
Partner
Tarek Saifi
Partner
Stephan Gräfer
Partner
Joaquin de Juan
Partner
SIMON E. FRANCO
Partner
Jun Fu
Partner
Paul Lee
Associate Partner
Werner Laber
PARTNER
Megan Cook
Director
Dana Tomkovicz
Director
Werner Ullmann
PARTNER
Rupert Wiest
PARTNER
Prof. Rudolf J. Menne
PARTNER
Joachim Tonassi
PARTNER
Philipp Veit
Senior Consultant & Head of Research
Jovana Ćurković
Consultant
