Max Z.

About Me

Location
Belgrade, Serbia
Languages
English

I work with small and mid-sized businesses that are growing faster than their people infrastructure can keep up, or going through change without a clear HR foundation to lean on.

My background spans talent acquisition, learning & development, organizational design, and leadership coaching across various industries, such as FMCG, manufacturing, IT, banking, food and beverages. I’ve built HR functions from scratch multiple times. I know what works in practice, not just on paper.

What sets me apart: I name the real problem – not the comfortable version of it – and give you something you can actually use the next day.

5.00 rating from 4 reviews
Have you worked with Max before?
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5.00 rating from 4 reviews
Have you worked with Max before?
Leave a review

Experience

Recent Work

Partnered with Erste Bank to drive a 38% improvement in employee engagement scores within one year, through targeted initiatives in cross-functional communication, team structure optimization, and a redesigned employee benefits package

Notable Career History

  • Founder and Consultant, ASERTIVA Consulting, 2019+
  • Employee Experience & Employer Branding Team Manager, Erste Bank, 2025 – 2026
  • Senior HR Manager, LUKOWA Group, 2021 – 2025
  • HR Director, PIS – Business Information Systems, 2019 – 2020
  • Soft Skills Trainer, Coca-Cola Project, 2018 – 2019
  • HR Manager, Public Enterprise Post of Serbia, 2011 – 2019
  • Training & Development Manager, Concern Bambi Banat AD, 2009 – 2010
  • Training Coordinator, Dunav Life Insurance, 2009
  • Training & Development Specialist, JT International, 2008

Qualifications

Education & Professional Development

  • Master’s Degree, Faculty of Economics, University of Belgrade
  • Management/Impact® , Human Synergistics
  • Life Styles Inventory™, Human Synergistics
  • Management Effectiveness Profile System™, Human Synergistics
  • NLP Practitioner, Achology
  • Train the Trainers, Horizont International
  • Inspiring Leadership through Emotional Intelligence, Case Western Reserve University 

Knowledge Areas Knowledge Areas are the business domains and areas, or specialties, with which consultants, partners, and experts are most familiar.

Industries These are the industries and sectors in which consultants, partners, and experts have demonstrated knowledge and experience.

Recent Work

Partnered with Erste Bank to drive a 38% improvement in employee engagement scores within one year, through targeted initiatives in cross-functional communication, team structure optimization, and a redesigned employee benefits package

Notable Career History

  • Founder and Consultant, ASERTIVA Consulting, 2019+
  • Employee Experience & Employer Branding Team Manager, Erste Bank, 2025 – 2026
  • Senior HR Manager, LUKOWA Group, 2021 – 2025
  • HR Director, PIS – Business Information Systems, 2019 – 2020
  • Soft Skills Trainer, Coca-Cola Project, 2018 – 2019
  • HR Manager, Public Enterprise Post of Serbia, 2011 – 2019
  • Training & Development Manager, Concern Bambi Banat AD, 2009 – 2010
  • Training Coordinator, Dunav Life Insurance, 2009
  • Training & Development Specialist, JT International, 2008

Education & Professional Development

  • Master’s Degree, Faculty of Economics, University of Belgrade
  • Management/Impact® , Human Synergistics
  • Life Styles Inventory™, Human Synergistics
  • Management Effectiveness Profile System™, Human Synergistics
  • NLP Practitioner, Achology
  • Train the Trainers, Horizont International
  • Inspiring Leadership through Emotional Intelligence, Case Western Reserve University 

Max's Store

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Services

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Reviews

  • Ivan D
    5 out of 5

    I am pleased to recommend Max, who has been a certified practitioner and consultant within the Human Synergistics network in Serbia. Max holds accreditations in several of our core diagnostic tools, Management/Impact (M/I), Life Styles Inventory (LSI), Management Effectiveness Profile System (MEPS) Organizational Culture Invenrory (OCI) – which are among the most rigorous and scientifically grounded instruments available for assessing and developing individual, team, and organizational effectiveness. Through his work with Human Synergistics, Max has successfully delivered these tools to our clients, demonstrating both the depth of his expertise and the trust that clienrs place in him. He applies these methodologies with professionalism, deep insight, and a genuine commitment to creating meaningful change in the people and organizations he works with. We regard him as an respective representative of the Human Synergistics approach and recommend him with full confidence.

  • Miroslav S
    5 out of 5

    I highly recommend Max, who has proven himself to be both an outstanding team player and an effective leader during his time at JTI. His most significant contribution was spearheading the implementation of our new Performance Management System. He adapted it to our local market, then designed and delivered training and workshops across all levels of the organization, from frontline staff to senior management. His professionalism, ability to engage people at every level, and commitment to delivering results make him a valuable asset to any team, and I recommend him without reservation.

  • Ivan V
    5 out of 5

    I am delighted to recommend Max, who served as Head of HR at LUKOWA Food and made an exceptional impact across every area of our people operations. Leading an HR department, he built a structured, high-performing HR function from the ground up, designing and implementing a highly effective onboarding program that set new hires up for success from day one and consistently attracting and recruiting top talent that significantly strengthened our organization. He also played a central role in driving a comprehensive organizational and administrative transformation within the company, bringing clarity, efficiency, and professionalism to our internal structures.

  • Jovana P
    5 out of 5

    It is a genuine pleasure to recommend Max, who collaborated with Coca-Cola HBC Serbia as a trainer and facilitator on our national youth education initiative, Coca-Cola Podrška Mladima, part of our long term group Youth Empowerment initiative dedicated to equipping young people with the practical skills and confidence they need to launch their careers. Over the course of two consecutive years, Max delivered training sessions and workshops on soft skills and career development, consistently impressing us with his ability to connect with a young audience, convey complex topics in an accessible and engaging way, and leave participants genuinely inspired and better prepared for the professional world. His professionalism, reliability, and passion for developing people made him an outstanding partner on this project, and I would not hesitate to work with him again. I recommend him wholeheartedly.

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