Best Recruitment Agencies
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All cities · Updated Nov 11, 2026

Executive search firms, ranked.

Retained search for C-suite, board and senior leadership roles. Every executive search firm we track, scored on public data in every city we cover.

2,149

executive search firms in 22 cities

The top 25, all cities

  1. 01Kittleman & AssociatesChicago76.5
    Not statedNot disclosed40 open roles
  2. 02Kittleman & AssociatesDenver76.3
    Not statedNot disclosed35 open roles
  3. 03DRG ConsultingNew York · Nonprofit, philanthropic and independent-school executive and leadership recruitment73.9
    Not statedNot disclosed79 open roles
  4. 04SearchWide GlobalDallas · C-suite and director-level recruitment in tourism, venues, hospitality and experiential marketing.72.6
    Not statedNot disclosed9 open roles
  5. 05LindauerChicago · Nonprofit executives, fundraising and advancement leadership71.8
    RetainedNot disclosed75 open roles
  6. 06Aspen Leadership GroupNew York · Nonprofit executive and advancement recruitment70.4
    Not statedNot disclosed49 open roles
  7. 07Gonser GerberChicago · Nonprofit and higher education advancement leadership search69.9
    Not statedNot disclosed8 open roles
  8. 08PBR Executive SearchNew York66.7
    RetainedNot disclosed10 open roles
  9. 09Kaye/Bassman InternationalDallas66.3
    Not statedNot disclosed37 open roles
  10. 10Vetted SolutionsChicago · Executive, board and senior staff recruitment for associations and purpose-driven organizations65.4
    Not statedNot disclosed21 open roles
  11. 11Sandler SearchNew York · Retained executive search for nonprofit organizations, academic institutions and foundations.64.6
    RetainedNot disclosed12 open roles
  12. =12ZRGLondon64.3
    Not statedNot disclosed95 open roles
  13. =12ZRGMunich · Executive search, board appointments and interim leadership placements.64.3
    Not statedNot disclosed95 open roles
  14. =12ZRGToronto · Executive search, interim leadership and specialist professional recruiting64.3
    Not statedNot disclosed95 open roles
  15. =15ZRGSan Francisco Bay Area · Executive search, senior leadership and professional interim recruitment63.4
    Not statedNot disclosed99 open roles
  16. =15ZRGChicago · Retained executive and board search across corporate functions, industries, education and nonprofit organizations.63.4
    Not statedNot disclosed99 open roles
  17. 17ZRG PartnersNew York · Executive and board search across finance, technology, healthcare, consumer, education and professional sectors.63.2
    Not statedNot disclosed119 open roles
  18. 18BluZincLondon · Soho62.3
    Not statedNot disclosed46 open roles
  19. =19Morris & BergerLos Angeles · Nonprofit executive and leadership search.61.1
    RetainedNot disclosed8 open roles
  20. =19GGA PartnersToronto · Executive and finance leadership search for private clubs, golf organizations and leisure businesses61.1
    Not statedNot disclosed8 open roles
  21. 21The K12 Search GroupAustin60.7
    Not statedNot disclosed4 open roles
  22. 22Maneva GroupChicago · Nonprofit, foundation and association executive search60.2
    Not statedNot disclosed22 open roles
  23. 23LindauerBoston59.7
    Not statedNot disclosed51 open roles
  24. =24FaithSearch PartnersAtlanta · Executive leadership search for faith-based education, healthcare, nonprofit and media organizations59.1
    Not statedNot disclosed10 open roles
  25. =24Charles ArisDallas · Executive and specialist recruitment, including Dallas finance and accounting59.1
    HybridNot disclosed10 open roles

Score built from public signals · Fee model from firm websites · Terms reported by firms · Terms never affect the score

The index is free to read and free to be listed in. Our sponsor makes that possible, and has no say in any ranking.

Executive search firms by city

Executive search firms: questions

What is an executive search firm?

A recruiter that fills senior roles: C-suite, board seats, partners and heads of function. Unlike most recruitment agencies, executive search firms approach people who aren't looking, run a defined search process, and usually work exclusively for one client per role.

What's the difference between retained and contingency search?

A retained firm is paid in stages (often a third at the start, a third at a shortlist and a third on hire) and works the search exclusively. A contingency recruiter is paid only if you hire their candidate, and you can brief several at once. Most executive search is retained.

How much do executive search firms charge?

Retained executive search is commonly quoted at around 25–35% of the hire's first-year cash compensation, with a minimum fee at many firms. Terms vary by firm, seniority and market, so compare proposals before you sign.

How do I choose an executive search firm?

Look for depth in your sector and function, recent comparable placements, who will actually run the search, how they handle off-limits companies, and the guarantee if a hire leaves early. Our rankings favour firms that specialise, so the top of each city list is a good shortlist.

How are these firms ranked?

On public data only: how focused each firm is on executive roles, how many searches it's running, and its track record. Rankings are per city; this page combines them. No firm can pay for placement.

Hiring a senior leader?

Describe the role once. We send it to the executive search firms in your city, and they reply with their approach, fee and guarantee.

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