Association Executive Search in Brussels

Archetype runs executive search for associations and federations based in Brussels: European trade associations, professional federations and Belgian non-profits. We recruit Secretaries General and Directors, Heads of Membership, Communication Officers and Marketing Managers. Our core business is sales, marketing and management profiles, which account for over 90% of our assignments. Search in English, French and Dutch, on a retainer, 12 weeks on average, with a 6-month replacement guarantee. Family firm since 1993.

Secretary general of a European trade association with a board member in Brussels — More than a quarter of jobs in Brussels non-profits are in interest representation organisations, according to the National Bank of Belgium.

Why Brussels associations hire differently

A study by the National Bank of Belgium and the King Baudouin Foundation (in French) found that more than a quarter of jobs in Brussels-based non-profits sit in organisations that defend interests or promote ideas, against 8.2% in Wallonia and 4.9% in Flanders (2015-2017 average). It links this to Brussels being both the national and the European capital.

For an association looking for a Secretary General, the shortlist is small: the right people already lead a neighbouring association, and several boards may approach them at once. Job ads rarely work on their own. Direct approach helps, with a clear brief on governance and on how much room the role really has.

What leading an association demands

Representing members before EU and national authorities without committing them to positions they have not approved.
Growing and keeping membership. That is selling: a value proposition, a fee, a renewal every year.
Working with a board made up of member companies or national associations, who are also the association’s clients.
Running a small multinational secretariat, usually in English.

An association leader’s stakeholders

Four relationships to hold, and the KOAN competency we check for each

Competencies taken from the KOAN model, part of every candidate file.

Roles we recruit

Secretaries General and Directors, Heads of Membership, Communication Officers and Marketing Managers in charge of events, publications and visibility. Federgon, the federation we are a member of, entrusted us with a strategic recruitment assignment, completed in 8 weeks. Archetype also provides management training. A participant from EASPD described one leadership training this way: “Challenging yet rewarding. The training pushed me out of my comfort zone, especially during the feedback and reflection exercises. It was tough but so worthwhile!” Public and semi-public bodies are covered on our public sector recruitment page.

We support clients and candidates before, during and after the hire. Not out of courtesy, but by design. The first three months of a sales or management hire shape what happens for the next three years. If onboarding fails, the placement is lost, regardless of how good the sourcing was. That’s why our support doesn’t stop at contract signing. It’s also why our clients come back: they aren’t signing for a recruitment, they’re signing for a long-term partnership.
The Archetype method, since 1993

Method, timing and fees

Ideally the briefing includes the President and one or two board members, since the board will make the final call. Our proposal follows within 48 to 72 hours, then direct approach, structured screening, a detailed presentation with scorecard, interview transcripts and KOAN test, and follow-up through the first months.

Fees are set before the assignment starts, in a written proposal, on a retainer basis: never a success fee. 6-month replacement guarantee.

About Archetype

Archetype is a Belgian family business founded in 1993 by Marc Diamant and now co-managed with Davy Diamant and Steve Diamant. A member of Federgon, it won Talent Business Innovation of the Year 2025 for its ethical and structured use of AI.

Association executive search: frequently asked questions

How much does association executive search cost?

Fees are set before the assignment starts, in a written proposal, on a retainer basis: never a success fee. 6-month replacement guarantee.

How long does a search take?

12 weeks on average from signing the assignment to the candidate signing.

Do you recruit Secretaries General for European federations?

Yes. Leadership roles are a core part of our work, and our team covers the Brussels market in English, French and Dutch.

Do you recruit policy advisers or technical experts?

No. Those specialist roles call for a recruiter who knows the policy field. We focus on leadership, membership, marketing and communication roles.

Is your association looking for a Secretary General, a Head of Membership or a Communication Officer? Tell us about your board and the role; our written proposal follows within 48 to 72 hours.

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