Executive Search Fees Explained

Executive search fees are structured differently from contingent recruitment and the difference is the product. This guide explains staging, what the fee covers and what moves pricing, so you can compare firms on substance.

How Executive Search Fees Are Structured

Retained fees are typically staged across the assignment rather than contingent on placement: a portion at instruction, a portion at shortlist delivery and the balance at completion. Across the industry, total fees are commonly benchmarked against a percentage of the first year package, with the level reflecting seniority and difficulty. We agree the structure in writing before any search begins.

What The Fee Covers

• Market mapping and research across the whole candidate pool
• Discreet approaches to leaders who are not applying anywhere
• Structured assessment and interview coordination
• Referencing and offer negotiation through to acceptance
• Replacement guarantees agreed case by case

What Moves Pricing Up Or Down

Seniority and package size, confidentiality requirements, geography — multi country searches through our global desk carry more research load — and the scarcity of the specialism. A testifying expert witness search is priced differently from a regional office lead.

Executive Search Fees Explained FAQs

What percentage do executive search firms charge?

Industry benchmarks for retained search generally sit meaningfully above contingent fee levels, reflecting the dedicated research commitment — commonly quoted in the region of a quarter to a third of first year package across the UK market. Exact terms depend on the assignment and are agreed up front.

Do you offer guarantees?

Replacement terms are agreed per assignment — typically a free replacement search if the appointee leaves within an agreed period. We would rather agree honest terms up front than discount quality.

Why not just pay on completion?

Payment on completion is contingent recruitment — appropriate for mid level roles. Staged fees are what buy dedicated research resource and exclusivity; that is the mechanism that reaches candidates contingent methods cannot.