CEO & Founding Partner
Manuel Soriano: A Journey of Leadership and Excellence
In the ever-evolving world of executive leadership and talent acquisition, Manuel Soriano stands as a beacon of excellence and innovation. With a career spanning over a decade and a half, Manuel’s path to success has been marked by dedication, vision, and an unyielding commitment to the pursuit of excellence.
The Early Years Manuel’s journey into the world of business leadership began with a strong educational foundation. He completed his Business Administration degree at CUNEF, setting the stage for a career filled with remarkable achievements.
A Proven Leader Manuel’s professional journey has been characterized by his leadership skills, which have consistently set him apart. In his role as CEO and founding Partner at W Executive, he’s been leading the charge in Executive Search and HR Advisory. With over a year in this position, Manuel has transformed the company with his vision and data-driven approach. This unique blend of traditional competence and cutting-edge data-driven methodologies has added significant value to the industry.
Tailoring Success W Executive’s motto, “Tailoring your Success,” reflects Manuel’s approach to executive search. He believes in taking precise measurements of an organization’s context and project area, much like a tailor crafting a bespoke suit. This meticulous approach has been fundamental in an increasingly complex world where strategic decisions in the realm of People and organizations rely on sophisticated data and tools.
A Visionary Beyond Borders Manuel’s impact goes beyond the borders of Spain. As the Co-Founder of Digital_Pals, he has been instrumental in the podcast world, conducting interviews with key figures in the digital sphere. His influence also extends to the world of esports, where he serves as an Independent board advisor of Esports City League, part of ENCOM. This role presents its unique challenges as he champions esports in a more traditional setting.
Cultivating Excellence Manuel’s tenure as Managing Director at Claire Joster was marked by a commitment to recruiting candidates based on culture and values. With over 100 professionals across various locations, Manuel’s leadership was characterized by a values-driven model, spreading across Spain, Portugal, Chile, and the International Division.
A Teacher and Thought Leader Manuel also ventured into education, serving as a Visiting Lecturer at ISDE Law & Business School, focusing on Esports Business. His insights into people management in the digital world have made a lasting impact.
Trends in Talent Attraction At the heart of Manuel’s career, he has consistently been on the front lines of talent attraction. His tenure at PageGroup, specifically as Senior Director, was a testament to his leadership in Madrid. He was responsible for managing several key areas, including Sales and marketing, Digital & Esports, Finance, and HR.
Regional Leadership As the Regional Director for the Levante Region in Spain, Manuel managed both Michael Page and Page Personnel, covering all divisions. His leadership extended to the team of 25 and was critical in maintaining operations in Valencia.
An International Perspective Manuel’s international experience included a significant role in Istanbul, Turkey, where he managed teams in Michael Page and Page Personnel, covering a range of disciplines. He then transitioned to Istanbul as an Executive Manager and board member, overseeing Michael Page’s Disciplines, including Retail, IT, Finance, HR, Banking and Financial Services, Tax and legal. His international experience added a global perspective to his already extensive expertise.
Local Impact Manuel’s career journey took him to Barcelona, where he served as the Manager of Banking, Tax, and legal for Michael Page. His primary focus was on financial services recruitment in Catalonia and Andorra. His impact extended to a team of three, making a significant difference in the region.
Stepping Stones to Success As he moved up the ladder in his career, Manuel held positions such as Manager in Corporate Banking and consultancy Team and Retail Banking Team at Michael Page Madrid. His journey began as a Senior Consultant in the Retail Banking Team, highlighting his consistent growth in the industry.
Early Experiences Before his illustrious career, Manuel gained experience at Bankinter in Sales and marketing and at Garrigues as a Summer Trainee.
Bilingual Excellence One of Manuel’s standout skills is his proficiency in both Spanish and English. He’s a native Spanish speaker and maintains full professional proficiency in English, making him a true global leader.
Key Takeaways:
- Manuel Soriano’s journey is marked by a commitment to excellence and leadership.
- His data-driven approach at W Executive has transformed the executive search industry.
- He believes in “Tailoring your Success” and taking precise measurements in the world of People & Organization.
- Manuel’s influence goes beyond borders, with roles in podcasting and esports.
- His commitment to values and culture-based recruitment at Claire Joster has made a lasting impact.
- He’s also an educator, sharing his insights into the digital world and people management.
5 Leadership Lessons
- Embrace data-driven decision-making in talent acquisition.
- Champion a values-driven approach in leadership and recruitment.
- Be open to diverse challenges and industries, like podcasting and esports.
- Lead with a commitment to culture and values.
- Seek international opportunities to broaden your perspective.
In conclusion
Manuel Soriano’s career is a testament to the pursuit of excellence, leadership, and a commitment to values. From his early educational foundation to his significant impact on the international stage, Manuel’s journey is one of inspiration and dedication. His story is a shining example of how a values-driven approach and a passion for excellence can lead to remarkable success. Manuel’s career trajectory is a testament to what one can achieve through hard work, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
