Egon Zehnder International, a privately held executive search firm, announced the leadership of its US practice in April will transition to Karl Alleman from Greig Schneider.

Schneider will join the firm’s board of directors. Based in Boston, he has led the firm’s US practice since 2011.

“Under Greig’s leadership, Egon Zehnder’s presence in the United States has expanded significantly,” said CEO Rajeev Vasudeva. “We have grown both in size and in impact and are now helping clients there not only with critical senior executive and board recruitment assignments, but also with board performance reviews, succession planning, assessment and development needs and other talent challenges. A holistic presence in the United States helps us deliver as a truly global firm and stay ahead of our clients’ needs in a truly global age.”

Prior to joining Egon Zehnder, Schneider was VP of strategy consulting for the Foundation Strategy Group and an engagement manager at McKinsey & Company serving clients in the life sciences and technology industries.

Alleman currently leads the firm’s Chicago office and previously launched Egon Zehnder’s industrial practice.

“Karl has an extensive track record in building deep relationships with some of the firm’s most complex clients as they respond to the opportunities in today’s innovation-driven economy,” Vasudeva said. “He is the ideal leader to build upon Greig’s success and take the US practice to its next level of growth.”

Egon Zehnder ranks as the fourth-largest retained search firm in the US.