1. Business context and search strategy

Executive search is not just about finding great candidates. It is about understanding the need behind the search and relating that to a candidates’ ambition in the evolving business environment. Our professionals are adept at reading a complex situation – whether it requires a revitalised leadership team, implementation of a new strategy, benchmarking of internal candidates, redeploying talent, advising on remuneration or securing a specialist interim executive.

Once we have truly understood our client’s DNA and the outcomes they are looking for, and captured perspectives from colleagues, we determine the optimal search strategy together with our client.

This incorporates required skills and qualifications, appropriate experience and relevant commercial exposure, together with target sectors and companies in order to further define the field of relevant candidates.

2. Candidate identification and assessment

The next stage involves the development of an initial candidate list, by conducting preliminary research within our extensive database, targeting specific individuals and benchmarking internal candidates against those in the market.

Through telephone and live interviews we assess and develop a shortlist of candidates, ensuring that specific dimensions are covered in depth: the context of a successful track record, the authenticity of the candidates’ aspirations, and their potential assessed against the strategic objectives of the business.

We then prepare a confidential assessment report and present it for client review. Once we have discussed our client’s reactions, we begin the interviewing process, running this according to our client’s requirements.

3. Search completion, deal closure and follow up

We review the leading candidates with our client and explore how the profile of each individual is aligned with key elements of the business. We prioritize the final candidates and recommend negotiation terms.

The critical next step is managing closure of the assignment by finalizing the deal. Both our client and final candidate require highly sensitive support in bringing negotiations to a successful conclusion within a short time frame.

We maintain strong communications with the successful candidate and our client during the transition period to make sure on-boarding runs smoothly.  Following a period of time agreed with our client, we follow up with both parties to track the impact of our work, ensure expectations are being met on both sides and understand the evolving DNA of our client for further assignments.