Pricing Models
Fully Retained
Standard executive search model: 1/3 of total fee invoiced at engagement start, 1/3 at candidate presentation, 1/3 at placement. No contingency element.
Best for: All C-suite, VP, and board searches — retained structure is market standard at this level.
Modified Retained
Smaller upfront retainer with the remaining balance contingent on placement. Common for smaller retained firms or director-level searches.
Best for: Director-to-VP searches where the client wants retained commitment without full upfront payment.
Boutique Retained
Boutique firm specializing in a specific sector (technology, healthcare, PE-backed companies) with industry depth that generalist firms lack.
Best for: Searches requiring deep sector knowledge and tight-knit candidate networks in a specific vertical.
Board Search
Specialized search for independent board directors. Usually a flat project fee of $30,000–$75,000 rather than percentage of compensation.
Best for: Companies looking to add independent directors with specific expertise or diversity credentials.
Service Tiers
Director / VP
$30,000–$80,000
Retained search for VP and senior director roles at smaller companies or for niche-market searches.
- Dedicated search consultant
- Full market mapping
- Candidate long list and short list
- Assessment and reference interviews
- 6–12 month placement guarantee
C-Suite (CFO, CTO, CMO)
$75,000–$200,000
Full retained C-suite search with comprehensive candidate assessment, cultural due diligence, and on-boarding support.
- Senior partner leading the search
- Global candidate pipeline
- Psychometric and leadership assessment
- Cultural and stakeholder alignment review
- 12-month guarantee with full fee credit
CEO / Board Chair
$150,000–$500,000+
Top-tier firm engagement for CEO, Board Chair, or critical founder-succession searches requiring the highest-caliber candidates.
- Named senior partner ownership
- Proactive outreach to passive top candidates
- Board engagement and alignment
- Full compensation structure design
- Long-term onboarding and transition support
What Drives the Cost?
Target Compensation
A 30% fee on a $500,000 total comp package is $150,000; the same rate on a $200,000 package is $60,000. Comp level is the primary cost driver.
Search Difficulty
Searches in narrow talent pools (rare tech sector CEOs, specialized CFOs in niche industries) require more market mapping and outreach, justifying higher fees.
Firm Tier
Top-tier firms (Korn Ferry, Spencer Stuart, Egon Zehnder) charge premium rates but provide access to C-suite talent that won't respond to boutique firms.
Geographic Scope
Global searches with relocation requirements are more complex and may command a higher fee percentage than domestic searches.
Urgency
Expedited timelines (6 weeks vs. 12 weeks) require simultaneous outreach and parallel assessment track — often negotiated as a flat premium.
Guarantee Period
Top firms offer 12-month full-fee credit guarantees. Mid-tier firms offer 6-month guarantees. Shorter guarantees represent higher risk for the client.
Rates by Location
| Region | Rate |
|---|---|
| 🇺🇸United States | 25–33% of comp |
| 🇬🇧United Kingdom | 25–30% of comp |
| 🇸🇬Singapore | 25–30% of comp |
| 🇩🇪Germany | 25–33% of comp |
| 🇮🇳India | 15–25% of comp |
Pricing FAQ
When should I use an executive search firm vs. a contingency recruiter?
Use retained executive search for VP-level and above, CEO and C-suite roles, board positions, and any role where a wrong hire is catastrophic. The retained model gives you a dedicated partner who owns the search; contingency recruiters work on multiple clients simultaneously and may deprioritize your search when a faster placement opportunity appears.
How long does executive search take?
A typical C-suite retained search takes 12–20 weeks from kick-off to accepted offer: 2–3 weeks for market mapping and outreach, 4–6 weeks of interviews, 2–3 weeks for assessment and reference checks, and 2–4 weeks for offer and negotiation. Board chair and CEO searches often take 20–30 weeks.
What is the difference between a retained firm and a headhunter?
All retained executive search consultants are headhunters (proactively approaching passive candidates), but not all headhunters operate on a retained basis. Contingency headhunters work for free until placement; retained firms are paid whether or not a hire is made. Retained firms invest far more research and dedication — essential when stakes are highest.
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