A complex operating environment across culturally diverse and geographically dispersed teams
The Brief
Future Leadership was engaged by a national government agency responsible for advancing international trade, attracting foreign investment and supporting the visitor economy to appoint a General Manager, Americas. The role represents one of the organisation’s most strategically significant offshore leadership positions, with responsibility for shaping Australia’s commercial and diplomatic presence across North America.
Operating within a complex global environment, the organisation maintains an extensive international network, facilitating commercial outcomes for Australian businesses, strengthening bilateral relationships and promoting national capability to investors and stakeholders abroad. The General Manager, Americas leads a multi‑country team delivering programs across trade, investment, education, industry engagement and government relations.
The appointment followed a strategic review of the organisation’s global operating model, with a renewed emphasis on delivering high‑value commercial outcomes, strengthening whole‑of‑government collaboration and growing Australia’s economic footprint in key markets. The new General Manager would play a central role in operationalising this strategy, aligning regional activity with broader government priorities including diversification, net‑zero transformation, investment facilitation and economic security.
Key objectives of the appointment included:
- Strengthening regional performance across trade, investment and sector development.
- Providing high‑level advice to government on geostrategic, economic and commercial trends across the Americas.
- Leading geographically dispersed teams to deliver coordinated, high‑impact outcomes.
- Building partnerships with business, investors, state governments and international counterparts.
- Enhancing Australia’s reputation and visibility in competitive global markets.
This required a seasoned executive with deep regional experience, strong commercial insight and the ability to lead with influence across culturally diverse environments.
Candidate net Promote Score
Future Leadership combines truly personalised relationships with innovative technology solutions to ensure an approachable and efficient process for all our Net Promoter Score across clients, successful candidates and unsuccessful candidates is well above industry standard.
Candidates supported every year
We maintain genuine relationships with past candidates and continue to support them with leadership solutions long term, after they land their role.
Senior Women Appointed since 2002
Over half of the executive search assignments undertaken by our team have resulted in the appointment of outstanding female or LGBTQI+ leaders to high profile roles.
Candidate Retention Rate for 12 months since 2002
Our thorough briefing process and ability to engage passive candidates mean that we go to great lengths to find the right person for the role – long term!
The Process
Future Leadership commenced the engagement with an in‑depth briefing with senior executives to clarify the strategic intent of the role, performance expectations and the evolving geopolitical and commercial landscape across the Americas. Discussions reinforced the need for a leader who could navigate complexity, influence stakeholders at the highest levels and unify teams across multiple countries and market contexts.
A comprehensive search strategy was developed, targeting senior leaders with demonstrated success in international business, trade and investment, government interfacing, as well as commercial growth across the Americas region. This included identifying individuals with experience in market development, foreign direct investment, global partnerships, commercial diplomacy and leadership of multi‑country teams. The strategy also emphasised commercial mindset, strong financial literacy and the ability to translate global objectives into region‑specific strategy—core requirements for success in the role.
This was a global search with the Future Leadership Consultants leveraging their established networks across multiple international markets. Considerable focus was placed on identifying candidates who had operated in complex environments, demonstrated cultural intelligence and delivered measurable commercial outcomes through partnership‑driven approaches.
Candidates were assessed against established criteria including:
- Experience leading geographically dispersed teams.
- Deep understanding of business dynamics, geopolitical issues and commercial opportunities across North America.
- Proven commercial acumen and ability to drive trade and investment outcomes.
- Capability to represent the organisation and government in high‑level forums.
- Strategic advisory capability and experience providing insight to senior decision‑
A structured evaluation process followed, incorporating behavioural and capability‑based interviews, scenario evaluation and assessment of international leadership experience. Shortlisted candidates proceeded to multi‑panel discussions involving senior organisational leaders and stakeholders. The final stages included comprehensive referencing.
The Outcome
The search concluded with the appointment of an accomplished international executive with extensive experience across the Americas region in commercial, public sector and diplomatic leadership roles. With a career spanning senior positions in trade, investment, global business development and international market strategy, the appointee brings a highly relevant blend of regional expertise, commercial acumen and cross‑cultural and multi-jurisdictional leadership.
They have consistently led large, geographically dispersed teams, delivering strong outcomes across multiple countries and complex operating environments. Their background includes overseeing regional networks, driving commercial partnerships, securing major investments and delivering significant export growth. They bring demonstrated capability in advancing national economic priorities, shaping market‑entry strategies and negotiating high‑stakes commercial and government agreements.
The appointee has a long track record of engagement across North and South America, including guiding major trade initiatives, facilitating substantial investment flows and establishing region‑wide programs to strengthen education, industry development and commercial partnerships. Their experience in both public and private sectors provides a deep understanding of global business models, investor drivers and market dynamics essential to the role.
With a leadership style grounded in collaboration, cultural intelligence and strategic insight, the appointee is recognised for cultivating high‑performing teams and building trusted relationships across government, business and international counterparts. They have advised senior political and organisational leaders, contributed to policy development and represented Australia in prominent commercial and diplomatic settings.
The new General Manager, Americas brings strong strategic capability, proven commercial results and a deep regional understanding to advance the organisation’s global objectives and deliver substantial impact across the Americas.
