The 49-year-old, who has served as secretary general of the Austrian Handball Federation (ÖHB) since 1997, was appointed following a two month recruitment process.

He is due to assume his new role in August.

"It is a great honour for me to have been offered this opportunity with the EHF," Hausleitner said. 

"I see this as a new challenge for me both personally and professionally and am thrilled to be joining the EHF team."

Hausleitner has been credited with a leading role in transforming the ÖHB into one of the leading governing bodies in the country.

He was heavily involved in organising the 2010 European Championships when it was held in Austria in 2010. 

The official also served as a member of the EHF Competitions Commission from 2012 to 2016, where he was responsible for men’s competitions. 

He has also been a match delegate and competition manager at younger age and EHF EURO events and at the EHF FINAL4.

In his new position, Hausleitner will lead and manage the work of the federation on an operational level.

He will work alongside Michael Wiederer, the previous secretary general who rose to the President and chief executive role last year. 

The EHF has "thus set course for the future and the continuous professional development of handball".

A statement added: "The next steps will follow alongside the further development of the EHF’s top competitions on a national team level and the technical sectors of the EHF business."