— Executive Search · Life Sciences & Pharma · DACH
Leaders for companies that improve lives.
In life sciences, pharma and medtech, regulatory complexity, scientific excellence and entrepreneurial pressure meet. We find leaders who don’t just cope with that tension — but thrive in it.
— Industry-specific challenges
Leadership in life sciences is not like leadership elsewhere
Pharma companies, CDMOs and medtech manufacturers place particular demands on their leaders — far beyond sector knowledge.
GMP, FDA, EMA — leaders in pharma and medtech must not only know regulatory requirements, but embed them into the company culture.
Not every excellent scientist is an excellent leader — and vice versa. We find personalities who combine both.
Life-sciences leaders move globally. We approach candidates in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and internationally.
Whether scaling a biotech or transforming an established pharma company — the leadership requirements differ fundamentally.
Many thanks to Sebastian Kohler and Oliver Kempkens for their excellent cooperation — professional, reliable and with a keen understanding of my requirements!
— Mandate scope
Which roles we fill in life sciences
From managing directors to senior positions in production, regulatory affairs and commercial — in pharma, biotech, CDMO and medtech.
— Our approach
Partner-led. At sector level.
We don’t run database queries. Every search is led personally by Oliver Kempkens or Sebastian Kohler — from the briefing session to onboarding.
Together we define the search profile, your culture and the success criteria. We understand your business, ownership structure and strategic situation.
Systematic mapping of 200+ profiles in the relevant market — including candidates with no active job profile who are invisible to classic channels.
First profiles serve as the basis for jointly fine-tuning the search profile. We adjust parameters precisely to your feedback before going deep.
In-depth interviews, personality diagnostics and an explicit culture-fit check. You receive 3–5 excellent candidates — no long lists.
Contract negotiation, stakeholder alignment and active support through the first 90 days. We are only done once your leader is successfully on board.
Why our approach works differently
Entrepreneurial thinking
We understand roles in the context of growth, responsibility and strategic impact.
Partner-led, not delegated
Every mandate is led personally by the founding partners — no opaque research process.
Access to the hidden market
We identify leaders on competency and potential — including talent beyond the open candidate market.
Precision over volume
A clearly calibrated shortlist instead of long candidate lists.
— Client references & projects
Executive search in life sciences: the particular challenge
The life-sciences sector in Germany, Austria and Switzerland is growing dynamically — driven by innovation in biotechnology, personalised therapies and digital health. At the same time, the pressure to meet regulatory requirements while acting entrepreneurially is rising. Demand for leaders who master both clearly exceeds supply.
Kempkens & Kohler has a proven track record filling leadership positions in pharmaceutical companies, CDMOs and medtech firms across the DACH region. Our references include leading names such as Vetter Pharma and Sartorius AG — companies that demand the highest leadership quality.
As a partner-led boutique with the FOCUS Top Executive Search award 2026, we combine the speed of an agile provider with the substance that life-sciences companies require in their leadership search.
— Free initial consultation
Let’s talk about your key position.
Tell us about your need — whether an urgent vacancy or strategic succession planning. We’ll get back to you personally within 24 hours.
For companies with a hiring need. We work exclusively on a retained basis for companies looking to fill a leadership position. We are unable to consider unsolicited applications via this form.