Retained search for the roles you cannot afford to get wrong.
When your hiring needs are consistent or you are in a growth phase. A retainer search gives you our exclusive focus and a defined timeline.
Retained search is an exclusive engagement. You pay a portion of the search fee upfront, with the balance billed in installments tied to milestones. In return, we commit our senior recruiters to your search, work it exclusively, and deliver on a defined timeline.
Retainer is the right model for executive roles, board-level placements, confidential succession searches, and any seat where the cost of a bad hire is significantly higher than the cost of the search.
Candidate outreach protects your name until you choose to reveal it
You know exactly what is being worked and what we are hearing in the market
Multi-stage interviews on our side plus reference work before any name reaches you
Offer structuring support through resignation and start date
Retainer fees are flat, agreed upfront, and billed in three installments:
Exact fees depend on the role, the comp band, and the complexity of the search. We share numbers on the discovery call.
Executive search refers to the type of role (senior leadership). Retained search refers to the engagement model (exclusive, paid in installments). Most executive searches run on retainer.
Eight to twelve weeks from engagement to signed offer is typical. Some confidential or specialized searches run longer by design.
Total fees can be similar on a percentage basis, but the structure is different. You commit upfront in exchange for exclusivity, depth, and predictability.
Yes. Termination terms are written into our engagement letter. The first installment is non-refundable (it covers search setup), but remaining installments are tied to deliverables.
Yes. If a placement does not stay through the agreed guarantee period, we run a replacement search at no additional fee. Specific terms are written into the engagement letter.
Three to five vetted candidates, each with a written profile. The list is curated, not padded. Exclusivity means we cannot make up volume with the next agency.
