Hire a GM
Hire a general manager in Italy.
Brief
Italian dirigenti contract, target salary, notice periods and the buy vs rent choice between permanent hire and interim mandate.
Direct answer
Hiring a general manager in Italy means signing a CCNL Dirigenti contract with base salary typically between 130,000 and 300,000 euros, 20-60% variable, and 6-12 months of notice. As an alternative, an interim general manager covers the same seat on a monthly retainer with no head hunter fee, no probation, and an agreed exit. The choice depends on business stability and required reversibility.
CCNL Dirigenti in a nutshell
- Framework: CCNL Dirigenti Industria or Commercio, permanent employment.
- Probation: up to 6 months; beyond that, termination is a full dismissal.
- Notice: 6-12 months based on tenure and group practice.
- Indemnity: additional supplementary indemnity in case of unjustified termination.
- Non-compete: optional, with cash consideration, typically 12-24 months.
Target compensation in Italy
Italian industrial mid-market sits between 130,000 and 220,000 euros of base salary; services mid-market between 150,000 and 260,000; Italian subsidiaries of foreign groups and PE-backed companies exceed 300,000 with significant MBO. LTIP or equity is layered on value-creation mandates.
Hire permanently vs interim mandate
| Dimension | Permanent hire | Interim GM |
|---|---|---|
| First-year cost | Salary + charges + 25-35% search fee | Monthly retainer, no search fee |
| Time to entry | 6-9 months (search + notice) | 2 weeks |
| Reversibility | Costly termination | Agreed exit at end of mandate |
| Best for | Stable business, structural need | Vacancy, turnaround, transition, test drive |
Continue reading
Hub
Interim CEO in ItalyOne senior operator with a C-level track record, the alternative to head hunter fees.
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FAQ
Questions before you sign
What does a general manager earn in Italy?
A general manager in Italy typically earns between 130,000 and 300,000 euros of base salary in mid-market companies, above 300,000 in listed groups and Italian subsidiaries of foreign multinationals. Variable is 20-60%, plus LTIP or equity in PE-backed firms.
What contract governs a general manager in Italy?
The CCNL Dirigenti collective agreement, permanent employment. Probation up to 6 months, notice period 6-12 months, optional non-compete clause with cash consideration, additional indemnity in case of unjustified termination. Often paired with a formal directorship.
Hire permanently or engage a temporary manager?
Hire permanently if the business is stable and the need structural. Engage a temporary manager (interim, fractional) if you need to cover a vacancy, run a phase (turnaround, integration, post-acquisition) or test the governance model before a permanent commitment. Fully loaded annual cost is comparable; reversibility is not.
How long does it take to hire a general manager?
Executive search: 4-9 months between brief and effective entry, plus the candidate's notice period (often 6 months). Interim manager: 2 weeks. Direct board network: 1-3 months if a candidate is already in view.
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