Replacing a founder CEO is one of the most delicate and high-stakes decisions a private equity firm can make—one that can determine the success or failure of the investment. The founder is often the company’s visionary, culture-setter, and public face. But after a PE acquisition, the demands of value…
Category Archives: executive recruiting
executive recruiting, Executive Search Challenges
Analyzing the Search Firm’s Guarantee: What Happens When a PE-Backed Hire Fails?
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When a C-suite hire fails in a private equity portfolio company, the consequences ripple far beyond an awkward exit or a bruised ego. The fallout often impacts valuation timelines, stalls operational improvements, disrupts M&A integration, and can even erode trust between the PE firm and the leadership team. That’s why any private equity executive search […]
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When choosing a retained executive search partner, one critical—but often unspoken—question looms large: “How many other searches will my lead consultant be working on while handling mine?” It’s a fair question. After all, the success of your executive hire may depend just as much on a consultant’s bandwidth and focus as on their network or […]
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In high-stakes executive search, traditional reference checks offer only part of the picture. That’s why top retained search firms often conduct back-channel references—discreet, off-list conversations with people who’ve worked with the candidate in the past. But this raises a key question: Are back-channel references ethical and appropriate for leadership hires? In this article, we explore the ethics of […]
When engaging a recruitment firm—especially for high-stakes roles in executive search or senior leadership hiring—regular communication is essential. One of the most valuable tools for maintaining alignment and transparency throughout the process is the bi-weekly progress report. This structured update serves as more than a status check; it’s a strategic snapshot of how the search […]
In a retained executive search, one of the earliest and most critical deliverables your search partner will produce is the target company list—a carefully researched universe of organizations where potential candidates may currently be working. Far from being a random assortment of competitors, this list is the product of rigorous analysis, strategic thinking, and close […]
In the world of executive recruiting, many companies treat a retained search as a one-time transaction—a means to fill a critical leadership role. But organizations that view their search firm as a strategic partner, rather than a vendor, unlock a deeper and more lasting competitive advantage. In this article, we explore how to transform a […]
In today’s competitive and socially conscious business environment, building a diverse leadership team is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s a strategic imperative. Yet many companies struggle to move the needle on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), especially at the executive level. One of the most effective levers organizations can pull is partnering with a […]
Why the Most Valuable Work Often Happens After the Hire? When a candidate says “yes” to your offer, it might feel like the search is complete. But in retained executive search, that moment is not the end—it’s just the beginning of a new and critical phase. While contingent recruiting models often disappear after the deal […]
When your top executive candidate receives a counteroffer from their current employer, it can feel like the entire search is suddenly on shaky ground. But this is precisely where your retained search partner proves their true value—not just as a recruiter, but as a strategic advisor and a skilled mediator. Below, we explore how retained […]