Profile: Julia Zdrahal-Urbanek AltoPartners Operating Committee Member / Managing Director Accord Group Austria

Driven by her passion for developing people and making a meaningful impact on the international business world, Julia Zdrahal-Urbanek dedicates her time to the successful business growth of both AltoPartners and Accord Group ECE Austria GmbH. While her home and family are her sanctuary, she enjoys the challenge of helping both her Clients and her Candidates find better futures by strategically positioning them for success.

Julia has extensive experience in the energy/utility markets, commodities/chemicals, construction, manufacturing, infrastructure and technology sectors to name a few, with particular focus on executive search, management appraisals and talent development services.

Having lived and worked in London, Germany and Vienna, Julia approaches her work from an international viewpoint by tapping in to her local industry knowledge while applying global best practice trends to each assignment undertaken. Although 60% of her business assignments are focused within the commodity manufacturing sector, Julia and her close-knit team thrive on the stimulation of working across multiple sectors and multiple industries. Julia and her team truly love the work they do. They find inspiration in continuous learning opportunities and seek assignments that are intellectually challenging and interesting.

Being part of the AltoPartners global alliance is vitally important for Julia and her Austrian team as the alliance provides opportunities for international business development and broadens the horizons of the team. With a solid reputation in the market and having earned client trust and respect, Julia and her team members have the opportunity to work with clients right the way from initial strategic business development discussions through to the implementation and completion of search assignments. This, Julia believes, is a key success factor in her business and has enabled her team to win pitches against some of the world’s leading integrated firms and has helped her firm retain some of Austria’s leading clients.

With “just do things but stick to your key principals” as her mantra, Julia leads her team to not only succeed and grow, but also to find a balance by being people sensitive and culturally aware. They have often been complimented on their “personal touch” style and the constant communication and engagement they provide.

With over 15 years’ experience in executive search, talent development and the educational and vocational sector, Julia holds a Masters degree in Science and a PhD in Psychology and is fluent in German and English.