Retained Executive Search

With De Vore Recruiting, you can secure exceptional leaders who will drive success for your company. Our Retained Executive Search delivers a tailored, strategic approach to finding the right fit for your organization.

Your Partner in Securing the Right Leaders, Every Time

De Vore Recruiting stands out as your trusted partner in securing top-tier leadership talent. Our expert team provides exclusive access to high-performing candidates who aren’t actively seeking new opportunities, saving you time and reducing hiring risks.

Why Should you Hire a Retained Executive Search Expert?

Collaborating with top retained executive search firms offers a multitude of advantages in the search for high-level talent acquisition. Retained executive recruiting involves a specialized approach where organizations engage the services of a seasoned executive recruiter to identify and attract top-tier professionals for senior executive positions.

Specialized for Senior Leadership Role Placement

When you’re in need of executives or leaders to steer your organization’s vision, a retained search service is invaluable. Senior leadership roles require candidates with extensive experience, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of your industry.

 

A "Quality over Quantity" Hire

Retained executive search prioritizes quality candidates over quantity. The search is meticulous and thorough, resulting in a shortlist of candidates who not only meet the technical requirements but also possess the necessary soft skills and cultural fit of your company.

Ideal Option for Urgent and Confidential Hiring Needs

In situations where you have an urgent hiring need, especially for senior or specialized positions, retained search can be a game-changer. These services streamline the process, allowing you to secure top talent quickly and efficiently.

 

Time-to-Hire Reduction

Having a retained executive search team for your organization means there is someone who will focus on doing the hard job for your recruitment. This is advantageous for industries that require swift placement for critical positions such as healthcare jobs.

Establishes Partnership and Commitment

If you are looking for a trusted partner for your hiring needs, a retained executive search provider is one of the best choice. Having a committed hiring team in the long run amplifies the chance of having the right and best people to your team which increases the chance of your company’s success.

Easy placement for hard to fill jobs

Retained executive search firms specialize in hiring for much more bigger roles such as seniors and managerial positions. They have extensive networks that include seasoned executives and professionals. This network provides access to a pool of senior candidates who may not be actively seeking opportunities but are open to the right offer.

This personalized and strategic approach enhances the likelihood of securing the best-suited senior executives for key leadership roles, making retained executive search an invaluable investment for organizations aiming to elevate their leadership team.

A deeper look on Retained Executive Search

Retained executive search can be game-changing—knowing the pros and cons makes all the difference.

The Pros

1. Quality Focus

Retained search emphasizes finding the best candidates, focusing on quality over quantity. This results in higher-caliber hires who align with your organization’s needs.

2. Exclusivity

The exclusive nature of the arrangement ensures that the recruitment firm dedicates its resources solely to your hiring needs, leading to a more thorough search process.

3. Targeted approach for bigger roles

Retained search is especially effective for senior and specialized roles, as it involves a tailored strategy to identify candidates with the exact skills and experience required.

4. Industry Insights

Recruitment firms bring industry knowledge and trends to the table, guiding you in making informed decisions about job descriptions, compensation, and market competitiveness.

5. Partnership

The close collaboration between your organization and the recruitment firm leads to a strategic partnership, resulting in a deeper understanding of your needs and a more aligned selection process.

The Cons

1. Higher Costs

Retained search often comes with a higher upfront cost compared to contingency-based models, as it requires an exclusive commitment and resources from the recruitment firm.

2. Time-Intensive

The thorough evaluation and assessment process of retained executive search can be time-consuming, potentially extending the time-to-fill for critical positions.

3. Outcome Uncertainty

Just like any other type of recruitment, there’s no guarantee that the presented candidates will ultimately be the right fit for your organization.

“The only thing more costly than dragging your feet on a critical hire is hiring the wrong leader.”

Max Hansen, Forbes

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Frequently Asked Questions

Retained executive search vs. contingency: what is better?

In retained search, a recruiting agency is hired exclusively by a company to fill a specific high-level position, in contingent recruitment, multiple recruiting agencies might be engaged to fill a position, and they compete to present suitable candidates. The retained search firm is paid a fee upfront or in installments regardless of whether a candidate is hired while contingent agencies are only paid a fee if their presented candidate is successfully hired. Retained search is often used for executive-level positions and involves a deeper level of involvement with the company, while contingent recruitment is commonly used for mid-level positions.

What is a retained executive search firm?

A retained executive search firm specializes in finding top-tier leaders for high-level roles. They work exclusively with your organization, using a personalized, strategic process to identify and recruit the best-fit candidates for your needs.

How do executive search retainers work?

Retainers are upfront fees paid to secure dedicated resources for your search. This ensures a focused, long-term partnership where the firm commits to finding candidates aligned with your company’s goals and leadership needs.

What are the biggest advantages of retained executive search?

The biggest advantage of retained search is the specialized and dedicated approach to filling high-level positions. Some key benefits include:

Exclusive Focus: The recruiting agency dedicates its efforts solely to filling the specific position.

Access to Top Talent: Retained executive search recruiters often have extensive networks and resources to reach the best candidates.

In-depth Assessment: A thorough evaluation of candidates ensures they are the right fit for the role and organization.

Client Collaboration: Close collaboration between the recruiter and the client ensures alignment with organizational goals.

How much does retained search services cost in the United States?

The cost of retained executive search can vary widely based on factors such as the level of the position, industry, geographic location, and the specific recruiting agency being used. Generally, retained search fees are higher than those of contingent recruitment due to the exclusivity and depth of the service provided. Retained search fees can range from 20% to 35% of the candidate’s first-year salary or even more for executive-level positions. It’s important to discuss and negotiate the fee structure with the recruiting agency before engaging their services. Keep in mind that while the upfront cost may be higher, the investment can pay off through finding the right candidate for crucial positions.

What does retained mean in retained executive search consulting?

“Retained” means the firm is an exclusive partner with your organization, dedicating their time and expertise to a thorough, customized search process to identify and recruit the ideal candidate.

Why do executive search firms work on a retained basis?

Retained agreements ensure a focused, committed partnership. This allows firms to allocate the necessary resources and time to deliver a highly tailored, strategic search for leadership roles.

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Work With De Vore Recruiting

We are committed to bringing you quality recruitment service. Contact De Vore Recruiting today to discuss how we will find your next new hire.

Drop a message through our contact page or call us at:

Office Phone: 818-783-6981, 1-877-411-4358

Email: Sean@DeVoreRecruiting.com

Our Insights on Retained Recruitment