Vice President - International Leasing & Financial Services #0209

We have been engaged by a long-standing European financial services group with broad international reach to recruit a Vice President who will lead their North American subsidiary out of Chicago.

This represents the highest-ranking position within the region and holds complete responsibility for commercial activity throughout the U.S. and Canadian markets. The selected leader will report straight into senior international management at the European parent company.

Whoever steps into this seat will be taking the reins of a stable, well-functioning operation, with a clear remit to preserve its current strength while pursuing fresh growth opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Nurturing and maintaining productive ties with business partners, vendors, and board members
• Heading the strategic and operational direction of the North American business unit
• Recruiting, mentoring, and shaping a strong local management bench
• Furnishing the board with consistent updates on business performance and major initiatives
• Spearheading business development efforts and long-range growth in step with the parent company's global agenda
• Supervising every core function, from sales and credit through to operations and portfolio management

Additional Information

• Engagement: Fixed-term, 3 to 4 years
• Location: Chicago, IL (On-site)
• Relocation Assistance: Offered (within the U.S. and from abroad)
• Travel: 40 to 50 percent, both domestic and international

Requirements:
Essential

• Demonstrated success in leading, coaching, and getting strong performance out of teams
• Between 5 and 10 years in a senior leadership seat within leasing, commercial lending, or financial services
• Thorough working knowledge of the leasing lifecycle, from origination through credit, operations, and portfolio management
• An entrepreneurial outlook balanced with operational rigor
• A completed university degree
• Sharp credit analysis and risk evaluation skills
• P&L ownership over a corporate unit producing material revenue
• Considerable flexibility, resilience, and a strong work ethic
• Exposure to a wide spectrum of ticket sizes and the majority of asset classes
• Capable networker, equally effective inside an organization and outside it with partners and clients
• Strong command of financial mathematics alongside a solid feel for legal and fiscal matters
• Native-level or business-proficient command of English
• Working comfort with enterprise platforms such as ERP, CRM, and the MS Office suite

Preferred

• Career background with a global leasing player or the leasing division of a major international bank
• MBA or another advanced qualification of similar weight
• Working ability in German or another European language
• Direct experience in vendor financing and dealer channel models
• A previous overseas posting or other cross-border leadership experience
• A history of working across both European (particularly German) and North American business environments

Benefits:
• Performance-based variable pay (roughly 30% of total compensation)
• Base compensation in the region of $250,000 to $280,000, with flexibility for a standout candidate
• Company car (partial maintenance covered)
• 25 days of paid leave per year
• Full benefits suite covering 401(k), medical, dental, vision, life insurance, prescription drug coverage, and disability insurance

Why This Role

Opportunities to take charge of an established international subsidiary in North America come along rarely. The successful candidate will step onto firm operational ground with the authority to write the next chapter of the business, backed by the muscle of a large European financial services group. The role brings real autonomy, a direct line into global leadership, and the prospect of leaving a lasting mark on a platform that continues to grow.

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 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