Executive Search

Our Executive Search recruitment ensures a customized, strategic process to find leaders who will drive long-term success for your company.

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Retained Executive Search for high-level positions

Executive Search Services for C-suite, VPs and other Senior Positions

At De Vore Recruiting, we act as a trusted partner in helping organizations identify and secure exceptional leaders. Our executive search approach connects you with high-performing executives who often aren’t actively exploring new opportunities, giving you a competitive advantage while saving time and reducing hiring risks.

By understanding your company’s culture, goals, and unique requirements, we ensure that every connection is meaningful and aligned with your long-term vision for leadership.

Let’s find a time that works for you.
It’s easy—just three steps: fill in your details, pick a convenient date, and join the meeting at your scheduled time. We’ll make the conversation seamless and productive from start to finish.

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Step 1: Fill Out the Contact Form

Provide your name, email, phone number and website link if you have one to help us prepare for a productive meeting.

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Step 2: Choose a date

Select a date and time that works best for your schedule.

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Step 3: Join the meeting

We’ll send you the meeting link a little ahead of time, so you can hop in easily and start our conversation without any hassle.

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Our Valued Partners

WellQuest of Elk Grove
Pulmonary Practice Associates
Marin Community Clinics
ISL
Hillstone Law
AHA

What is Executive Search?

Executive search is a specialized recruitment service where organizations hire a firm or consultant to proactively identify, approach, and recruit highly qualified candidates for senior leadership roles such as CEOs, CFOs, vice presidents, directors, and board-level executives.

Unlike traditional recruitment, which typically relies on job postings and incoming applications, executive search recruitment uses a targeted and research-driven approach to locate high-impact leaders who may not be actively looking for new opportunities. These professionals—often referred to as passive candidates—are frequently already employed in leadership roles and must be approached directly through industry networks, market research, and confidential outreach.

In most cases, companies commission an executive search firm to conduct this process on their behalf. The firm researches the market, identifies qualified leaders working in competitor or related organizations, and builds a shortlist of candidates who meet the role’s leadership, strategic, and cultural requirements. Once suitable candidates are identified, the firm discreetly approaches them, evaluates their qualifications, and presents the most qualified executives to the hiring organization.

Why Executive Search Recruitment Matters?

Executive search recruitment helps organizations identify and hire senior leaders who influence strategy, culture, operational performance, and long-term growth. Instead of relying on job advertisements and applicants, executive search firms proactively source C-suite executives, directors, and senior management professionals through market research, industry networks, and confidential outreach. This approach allows companies to access a broader talent pool, including qualified executives who are not actively searching for new roles but may be open to the right opportunity.

The importance of this approach becomes clearer when examining where executive talent is found, how leaders are evaluated, and the risks organizations face when the wrong executive hire is made.

Most Executive Talent Is Hidden From Job Boards

Linkedin Hiring Statistics finds that 70% of professionals are passive candidates, meaning they are currently employed and not actively applying for jobs or browsing job boards. Senior executives are even less likely to participate in traditional job search channels because they are focused on leading organizations and managing strategic responsibilities. As a result, many qualified leadership candidates are not visible through standard recruitment methods. Accessing this talent pool typically requires direct outreach, industry networks, and targeted market research to identify and engage executives who may be open to the right opportunity

Executive Search Firms Identify and Evaluate High-Impact Leaders

Senior leadership candidates are assessed based on leadership capability, industry expertise, strategic decision-making, organizational, and cultural fit—not just professional history. Structured interviews, leadership evaluations, and reference validation are commonly used to assess how an executive leads teams, drives business outcomes, and aligns with company culture. This deeper evaluation helps organizations identify leaders capable of guiding long-term strategy, managing complex teams, and influencing company performance.

The Cost of a Poor Executive Hire Is Significant

Research suggests that a bad hire can cost between three to five times the employee’s annual salary, particularly for executive and senior leadership roles. These costs extend beyond compensation and recruitment expenses, often including lost productivity, disrupted strategic initiatives, decreased employee morale, and the cost of rehiring and onboarding a replacement. Because executive decisions affect entire teams and departments, hiring mistakes at the leadership level can have long-term operational and financial consequences for an organization.

What are the Types of Executive Search?

Organizations typically choose between retained executive search and contingency executive search, two recruitment models that differ in structure, depth of search, and level of partnership.

Retained executive search is commonly used for senior leadership and C-suite roles. In this model, a company engages a search firm on an exclusive basis and pays an upfront retainer to conduct a dedicated, highly confidential search. Because the firm works exclusively with the client, the process is more strategic and research-driven, focusing on identifying and evaluating high-caliber candidates who align with the organization’s leadership needs, culture, and long-term goals.

Contingency executive search, on the other hand, operates on a success-based fee structure. Recruitment firms are only paid when a candidate is successfully placed, and multiple agencies may compete to fill the same role. This model is often faster and more cost-accessible, making it more common for junior to mid-level hiring rather than highly specialized executive roles.

Understanding the differences between these two approaches can help organizations choose the right strategy when hiring senior leaders.

Read our full guide here: Types of Executive Search: Retained vs. Contingency

Where Leadership Search Becomes Strategic

Our approach to executive search.

At De Vore Recruiting, we follow a clear and effective process that makes finding top executives straightforward. From defining role requirements and mapping the talent market to engaging candidates and guiding them through selection, every step is transparent and easy to follow.

Understanding the Expected Leadership Roles

We go deeper than job descriptions — clarifying leadership objectives, strategic priorities, cultural fit, and long-term vision. This ensures the executives we engage not only meet role requirements but have the capacity to elevate your organization at every level.

We Know How to Identify and Engage Passive Leaders

Top-tier executives rarely respond to public postings. By leveraging deep industry networks, confidential outreach, and strategic market mapping, we connect with leaders who possess the experience, influence, and strategic perspective your organization needs.

Evaluating Strategic, Cultural, and Leadership Fit

We assess candidates beyond resumes, focusing on decision-making style, adaptability, leadership approach, and cultural compatibility. This ensures every hire contributes to sustainable performance, high team morale, and organizational cohesion.

Transparency, Collaboration, and Insights

Executive hiring carries enormous stakes. We provide regular market insights, structured updates, and collaborative guidance, keeping clients fully informed and empowered to make strategic decisions with confidence.

Securing Leaders Who Deliver Long-Term Impact — Not Just Filling a Vacancy

Our ultimate goal is to place executives who strengthen culture, accelerate growth, and drive measurable business results. Every search is conducted with a long-term, organizational-first mindset, ensuring your investment yields lasting value.

Identifying Leaders Who Shape Strategy, Culture, and Growth

We specialize in connecting companies with high-impact executives who drive strategy and growth. Our expertise spans a wide range of senior leadership positions:

CEO

Leads overall strategy, vision, and company growth.

CFO

Manages financial planning, performance, and risk.

COO

Oversees operations, efficiency, and cross-department alignment.

CTO

Drives technology strategy, innovation, and digital initiatives.

CMO

Leads marketing strategy, brand growth, and customer engagement.

Vice Presidents (VPs)

Guide key departments and business units for performance.

Directors

Lead specialized teams and functions across the organization.

Specialized Executives

Custom leadership roles in finance, operations, technology, and more.

Start Your Executive Search Today

Let De Vore Recruiting guide you to the leaders who will shape your future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of executive search?
Executive search is a specialized recruitment service focused on hiring senior leaders such as C-suite executives and directors by targeting highly qualified, often passive candidates.

What is the average cost of an executive search?
Executive search fees typically range from 20% to 35% of the placed executive’s first-year compensation, depending on role complexity and scope.

How does an executive search firm work?
An executive search firm partners with organizations to understand leadership needs, proactively source qualified executives, and guide the hiring process from shortlist to placement.

What is the difference between recruitment and executive search?
Recruitment focuses on filling a wide range of roles using active candidates, while executive search is a targeted, research-driven process designed to hire senior leaders and hard-to-find executives, often through passive candidate outreach.

How long does an executive search typically take?
An executive search typically takes 8 to 16 weeks, depending on role complexity, market conditions, and candidate availability.

Explore more Recruitment Services

Get to know more Recruitment Services that you might need:

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

Dive deeper on Executive Search

The Benefits of Healthcare Executive Search in Hospitals, Senior Living & Private Practices

In a healthcare landscape marked by talent shortages and operational complexity, strategies for hiring the right executives are no longer optional — they’re mission-critical.

Guides & Insights to Hiring the Right Senior Leaders

A company’s success hinges on the capabilities of its senior leadership team. These individuals are not just decision-makers but also visionaries who chart the organization’s path toward its goals.

How Much Does Executive Search Cost?

Executive search firms play a crucial role in addressing this challenge, providing tailored, high-quality recruitment solutions that mitigate the risks of a bad hire.

Retained Executive Search: The Process

When organizations need to fill high-level roles, such as C-suite positions, they often turn to retained executive search services. These services are designed to find the best-fit candidates who may not be reachable through traditional hiring methods.

Understanding the Types of Payment Structures of Executive Search Services

When choosing a firm to fill a leadership position, consider two types of executive search firms: retained and contingency firms, and both have different payment structures that you must know.

Types of Executive Search: Retained vs. Contingency

Choosing the right search firm is important for successful executive recruitment. Two primary models dominate this arena: retained executive search and contingency search. Understanding the differences between these models is crucial for organizations and executives alike.

Benefits of Retained Executive Search Recruitment to Corporations

The scale and complexity of larger organizations demand a strategic and efficient approach to talent acquisition. With this, more corporations are increasingly turning to retained search services to secure top-notch executive talent.

Everything you need to know about Retained Executive Search Recruitment

While many businesses have their own in-house HR teams to handle recruitment, there are times when specialized expertise is needed to identify and secure top-tier candidates. This is where executive search comes into play.

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Hiring for managerial roles is a pivotal decision for any organization. The employees you select to lead your teams can have a profound impact on productivity, company culture, and overall success.