Donau Consult Group CEE – Building Leadership Across Central and Eastern Europe
Founded in 2002 by Mr. Wolfgang Klaar and headquartered in Vienna, Donau Consult Group CEE has become one of the most respected and dynamic consultancy and executive search organizations in Central and Eastern Europe. Over the past two decades, our group has built a reputation for excellence, precision, and long-term partnerships, helping both multinational corporations and local enterprises identify and develop the leaders who drive success.
Operating across the entire CEE Region, Donau Consult Group CEE has successfully completed over 1,500 executive search mandates, supporting clients in almost every major industry sector. Our geographical reach extends across Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, and even Tunisia, reflecting our ability to deliver consistent quality across different markets and cultures.
Our strength lies in our deep regional expertise and our ability to combine international standards with local market knowledge. The Central and Eastern European markets are diverse, fast-evolving, and filled with both challenges and opportunities. We have spent years developing insights into these markets, enabling us to understand the subtleties of local business environments, cultural expectations, and leadership dynamics. This regional understanding allows us to provide not only recruitment solutions but also strategic consulting and organizational development support.
Our Expertise: Executive Search and Beyond
While Executive Search remains at the core of our activity, Donau Consult Group CEE has evolved into a comprehensive management consulting partner offering a full range of services that help organizations grow, transform, and succeed.
We have gained extensive expertise in:
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Interim and Change Management – supporting organizations through transitions, restructurings, and transformation projects by providing experienced interim leaders who deliver immediate and measurable results.
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Investor Services – guiding investors and entrepreneurs through the process of founding and developing start-ups, conducting Mergers & Acquisitions, and performing Due Diligence.
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Fiscal Consulting and Financial Audit – ensuring compliance, accuracy, and strategic financial insight for companies operating or entering the CEE markets.
This combination of services allows us to act as a trusted advisor throughout the entire business lifecycle — from market entry and growth to leadership succession and strategic transformation.
Specialization in Transportation, Forwarding & Logistics
One of the unique differentiators of Donau Consult Group CEE is our specialized focus on the Transportation, Forwarding & Logistics industry. We are proud to be the only consultancy, executive search, and recruitment company in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe with a dedicated team fully focused on this sector.
Our consultants bring a deep understanding of the operational, strategic, and human capital challenges facing logistics providers, shipping companies, and supply chain organizations in a region that serves as a vital bridge between Western Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
We partner with leading international logistics operators as well as regional players to identify top management and specialist talent in roles such as General Management, Operations, Business Development, Supply Chain Management, Transport Planning, and Sales & Key Account Management. Through our expertise, we help our clients build leadership teams that can navigate global trade complexity while maintaining efficiency, compliance, and customer satisfaction.
Industry Coverage and Functional Expertise
Beyond logistics, Donau Consult Group CEE has a strong presence across multiple industries that form the backbone of the Central and Eastern European economy. We deliver tailor-made executive search and consultancy services in:
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Oil & Gas – supporting energy companies in recruiting strategic leaders capable of driving innovation, operational excellence, and sustainability.
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Automotive – identifying leaders who can manage complex production environments, supply chains, and the transition to electric and smart mobility.
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Finance and Banking – providing top-tier professionals in corporate banking, investment, risk management, and financial strategy.
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FMCG and Retail – helping companies remain agile in a fast-moving consumer market by placing leaders skilled in marketing, digital transformation, and distribution.
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Real Estate and Construction – recruiting experts who understand the intersection of investment, development, and sustainability.
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Production and Manufacturing – supporting clients in achieving operational efficiency and leadership excellence.
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Information Technology and Consulting – placing innovative leaders who drive digital growth and transformation.
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Human Resources, Legal, and General Management – enabling organizations to strengthen their internal governance and people strategy functions.
Across all these industries, we combine sector-specific knowledge with a personalized, relationship-driven approach, ensuring that every assignment is handled with integrity, confidentiality, and precision.
Supporting Investors and Market Entrants
Our expertise extends beyond recruitment and leadership consulting to investor services, particularly for small and medium-sized companies entering the Romanian and CEE markets.
We offer strategic guidance and operational support for businesses looking to establish or expand their presence in the region. From market entry studies and talent mapping to organizational design and compliance consulting, our team provides the insight and local expertise necessary to ensure a smooth and successful start.
Our sound experience in these areas has made Donau Consult Group CEE a trusted partner for international investors seeking to leverage the opportunities that the Central and Eastern European region offers — including competitive talent markets, strong industrial bases, and strategic geographic positioning.
Our Geographic Reach and Home Markets
While our home markets remain Austria and Romania, we are proud to have built a strong operational presence across the entire CEE Region. This extensive coverage allows us to work seamlessly across borders, managing complex multi-country projects with local precision and regional consistency.
Each of our offices operates as part of a unified network, sharing market intelligence, best practices, and candidate insights to deliver exceptional results. Our consultants speak the local languages, understand the business cultures, and maintain direct relationships with leaders across the region.
This combination of local expertise and regional coordination allows us to provide our clients with both strategic depth and operational agility, ensuring that every search or consulting project benefits from a truly cross-border perspective.
A Trusted Partner for Long-Term Success
Over the years, Donau Consult Group CEE has grown not only in size but also in reputation. Our success is built on trust, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to quality. We see every project as a long-term partnership, guided by a clear mission: to help organizations find, develop, and retain the leaders who will shape their future.
In a region defined by transformation, opportunity, and growth, we stand as a bridge between talent and strategy, people and performance, vision and execution.
At Donau Consult Group CEE, we don’t just connect companies with executives — we connect ambition with leadership and potential with success across Central and Eastern Europe.