Manuela Klos is an executive search professional with extensive expertise in the German and broader EU financial sector, having built a successful decades-long career in the industry. She advises supervisory boards, investors and senior leadership teams on C-level and senior executive appointments and on the composition of strategic leadership structures in dynamic and highly regulated environments. She partners with a broad range of clients – from neobanks and FinTechs to established financial institutions and multinational organizations, combining sector depth with a strong advisory perspective. Committed to sustainability, she actively promotes female and diverse leadership potential within the financial industry. A driver of change, she knows exactly what is crucial for a leader to be successful in a dynamic environment.

Professional Focus

  • Executive search advisor at Boyden for C-level and senior leadership mandates in financial services, drawing on nearly three decades of hands-on leadership experience in banking and capital markets
  • Global Head of FinTech and Payments at Boyden
  • Expertise in payments, fintech and digital banking, insurance, investment management, wealth management, sustainability, brokerage, crypto & digital assets and regulatory compliance
  • Experience working with (neo) banks, FinTechs, SaaS providers, PayTechs, insurance companies, asset & wealth managers, private equity and venture capital
  • Strong track record of searches for C-level and other senior executive roles as well as leadership roles
  • C-level advisory services including executive assessments and transaction advice for private equity investors
  • Native German, fluent in English, good knowledge of French and Spanish

Business Expertise

  • Partner, Global Financial Services at Heidrick & Struggles; based in Frankfurt
  • Partner, Financial Services and Member, Global Blockchain Practice at Odgers Berndtson; based in Frankfurt
  • Chief Representative and Head of Sales at Fürstlich Castell'sche Bank, Credit-Casse AG
  • Chief Customer Officer, Chief Representative, and Member of the Executive Management Team at Fondsdepot Bank GmbH, part of DXC Technology (now FNZ Group)
  • Head of Personal Banking, Member of the Core Management Team Germany and International Management Team at one of Europe’s leading sustainable banks
  • Senior Manager and Division Head, Asset Managers & Private Banks at zeb, one of the EU’s leading strategy, management and IT consultancies for the financial services industry
  • Senior Project Manager, Strategic Projects and Business Development at Oppenheim Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbH
  • Head of Group-Wide PMO & Special Tasks at Mannheimer AG Holding

Additional Expertise

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  • Insurance
  • AI, Cloud & Software
  • Digital Transformation Leadership
  •  

Education & Certifications

  • Apprenticeship as a certified banker (Bankkauffrau), classical German banking training foundation
  • Advanced internal leadership qualification programs for senior management roles in financial institutions
  • Completed executive programs
  • Certified Mental Coach
  • PROPHET Certified

Affiliations & Awards

  • Member “Frauen in die Aufsichtsräte”e.V.” (FidAR)
  • Top Executive Search Firm (2025) WirtschaftsWoche
  • Top Executive Search Firm (2025) Handelsblatt

Contact Manuela Klos today and let's get started

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