Specialty leaderboard · Updated Nov 11, 2026
Executive search firms, New York
Fee models, from the firms' own websites: 14 retained. The typical firm has 110 people; together they advertise 867 open roles.
236
Executive Search firms ranked
| Rank | Firm | Focus | Fee model | Terms | Open roles | Index score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | DRG Consultingsince 1987 | Nonprofit, philanthropic and independent-school executive and leadership recruitment | Not stated | Not disclosed | 79 | 73.9 |
| 02 | Aspen Leadership Group | Nonprofit executive and advancement recruitment | Not stated | Not disclosed | 49 | 70.4 |
| 03 | PBR Executive Searchsince 1998 | — | Retained | Not disclosed | 10 | 66.7 |
| 04 | Sandler Searchsince 2010 | Retained executive search for nonprofit organizations, academic institutions and foundations. | Retained | Not disclosed | 12 | 64.6 |
| 05 | ZRG Partners | Executive and board search across finance, technology, healthcare, consumer, education and professional sectors. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 119 | 63.2 |
| 06 | DSG Global | Executive and board recruitment across healthcare, education, nonprofits and corporate sectors. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 287 | 58.4 |
| 07 | Charles Arissince 1969 | Executive leadership, corporate strategy, corporate development and private equity recruitment | Not stated | Not disclosed | 12 | 57.9 |
| 08 | Talentfootsince 2010 | Executive and professional search across sales, marketing, eCommerce, technology, data, finance and HR | Not stated | Not disclosed | 88 | 57.3 |
| 09 | Cesnasince 1999 | Executive and professional recruitment across finance, engineering, technology, HR and commercial functions | Not stated | Not disclosed | 100 | 57.2 |
| 10 | Isaacson, Miller | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 32 | 51.6 |
| 11 | EnergeiaWorksJersey City · since 2010 | Renewable energy executive search and recruiting | Not stated | Not disclosed | 13 | 51.1 |
| 12 | Bridge Partners | Executive and functional leadership search | Retained | Not disclosed | 13 | 49.5 |
| 13 | Boyden | C-suite and board executive search, financial services leadership and interim management | Not stated | Not disclosed | 22 | 45.4 |
| 14 | The Barton Partnership110 people · since 2007 | Strategy, transformation, M&A and private equity leadership recruitment | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 45.0 |
| 15 | Partners in Mission | Catholic school presidents, principals, superintendents, advancement leaders and nonprofit executives | Not stated | Not disclosed | 16 | 44.7 |
| 16 | Coleman Lew Canny Bowen | Retained executive search for senior corporate, finance, legal, nonprofit and operating leaders | Retained | Not disclosed | 15 | 42.2 |
| =17 | 20/20 Foresightsince 1994 | Executive and board search for real estate, financial services and professional services. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Acresince 2003 | Sustainability, ESG, clean energy and impact recruitment | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Agility Executive Searchsince 2008 | Corporate board directors and senior executives | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Alexander Hughessince 1957 | Executive, senior management, board and cross-border leadership search | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | AP Executivesince 1999 | Executive and senior specialist recruitment in wealth management, family offices, trust, finance and legal | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Battalia Winstonsince 1963 | Senior executive and board search across industry and corporate leadership functions. | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | CNA Internationalsince 1993 | Retained executive search, professional recruitment and leadership appointments across multiple industries. | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Delrecruiterssince 2001 | Supply chain, logistics and operations management recruitment | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Dore Partnershipsince 1997 | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | elinori LLCsince 2011 | Executive search and talent acquisition for luxury, fashion, retail and beauty brands | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Global Researchsince 1990 | Candidate research, talent mapping, opportunity presentation and interview coordination for professional hiring | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Green Parksince 2006 | Executive, board and interim leadership recruitment across public and private sectors | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | HC Groupsince 2003 | Retained executive search for energy, commodities and trading businesses | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Hechkoff Executive Search Inc.since 1989 | — | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Hedley Maysince 2009 | Executive search for legal, risk, finance, HR and corporate affairs leaders | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Heidrick & Strugglessince 1953 | Board, CEO, C-suite and senior leadership executive search | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Herbert Mines Associatessince 1978 | Executive and board search for retail, consumer products, fashion, beauty, digital and related businesses. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Kirk Palmer Associatessince 1987 | Consumer, retail, fashion, beauty and lifestyle executive leadership. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Mack Internationalsince 2002 | C-suite retained search for family offices, family investment firms, family enterprises and wealth management. | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | N2Growthsince 2006 | Board and executive search, succession planning and leadership advisory | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Norman Alexsince 1997 | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | NY Staff Searchsince 2011 | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Phillips Oppenheimsince 1991 | Executive and leadership search for nonprofit organizations. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | PNP Staffing Groupsince 1996 | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Reffett Associatessince 1992 | Senior leadership and executive recruitment | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | René Plessner Associates, Inc.since 1972 | Executive recruitment for entrepreneurial, cosmetics and creative consumer businesses | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Robertson Associatessince 1951 | Board, executive and senior management search | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | RSR PartnersGreenwich, Connecticut · since 1993 | Board and CEO recruitment, C-suite search, asset management, family offices and private equity | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Seiden Krieger Associatessince 1984 | Retained board and executive searches for corporations, private equity and nonprofit organizations. | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Sentient Partnerssince 1999 | Senior management candidate research, vetting and development for employers and executive search firms. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Sheffield Haworthsince 1993 | Executive search across financial services, technology, professional services and industrials | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Stanton Chasesince 1990 | Board and executive search, leadership assessment and succession across private equity and professional sectors. | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Sterling Internationalsince 2001 | Executive search for fashion, luxury goods and retail companies | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | The Brentwood Groupsince 1986 | — | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
- 01DRG ConsultingNonprofit, philanthropic and independent-school executive and leadership recruitment73.9Not statedNot disclosed79 open roles
- 02Aspen Leadership GroupNonprofit executive and advancement recruitment70.4Not statedNot disclosed49 open roles
- 03PBR Executive Search66.7RetainedNot disclosed10 open roles
- 04Sandler SearchRetained executive search for nonprofit organizations, academic institutions and foundations.64.6RetainedNot disclosed12 open roles
- 05ZRG PartnersExecutive and board search across finance, technology, healthcare, consumer, education and professional sectors.63.2Not statedNot disclosed119 open roles
- 06DSG GlobalExecutive and board recruitment across healthcare, education, nonprofits and corporate sectors.58.4Not statedNot disclosed287 open roles
- 07Charles ArisExecutive leadership, corporate strategy, corporate development and private equity recruitment57.9Not statedNot disclosed12 open roles
- 08TalentfootExecutive and professional search across sales, marketing, eCommerce, technology, data, finance and HR57.3Not statedNot disclosed88 open roles
- 09CesnaExecutive and professional recruitment across finance, engineering, technology, HR and commercial functions57.2Not statedNot disclosed100 open roles
- 10Isaacson, Miller51.6Not statedNot disclosed32 open roles
- 11EnergeiaWorksJersey City · Renewable energy executive search and recruiting51.1Not statedNot disclosed13 open roles
- 12Bridge PartnersExecutive and functional leadership search49.5RetainedNot disclosed13 open roles
- 13BoydenC-suite and board executive search, financial services leadership and interim management45.4Not statedNot disclosed22 open roles
- 14The Barton Partnership110 people · Strategy, transformation, M&A and private equity leadership recruitment45.0Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- 15Partners in MissionCatholic school presidents, principals, superintendents, advancement leaders and nonprofit executives44.7Not statedNot disclosed16 open roles
- 16Coleman Lew Canny BowenRetained executive search for senior corporate, finance, legal, nonprofit and operating leaders42.2RetainedNot disclosed15 open roles
- =1720/20 ForesightExecutive and board search for real estate, financial services and professional services.41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17AcreSustainability, ESG, clean energy and impact recruitment41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Agility Executive SearchCorporate board directors and senior executives41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Alexander HughesExecutive, senior management, board and cross-border leadership search41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17AP ExecutiveExecutive and senior specialist recruitment in wealth management, family offices, trust, finance and legal41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Battalia WinstonSenior executive and board search across industry and corporate leadership functions.41.3RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17CNA InternationalRetained executive search, professional recruitment and leadership appointments across multiple industries.41.3RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17DelrecruitersSupply chain, logistics and operations management recruitment41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Dore Partnership41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17elinori LLCExecutive search and talent acquisition for luxury, fashion, retail and beauty brands41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Global ResearchCandidate research, talent mapping, opportunity presentation and interview coordination for professional hiring41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Green ParkExecutive, board and interim leadership recruitment across public and private sectors41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17HC GroupRetained executive search for energy, commodities and trading businesses41.3RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Hechkoff Executive Search Inc.41.3RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Hedley MayExecutive search for legal, risk, finance, HR and corporate affairs leaders41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Heidrick & StrugglesBoard, CEO, C-suite and senior leadership executive search41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Herbert Mines AssociatesExecutive and board search for retail, consumer products, fashion, beauty, digital and related businesses.41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Kirk Palmer AssociatesConsumer, retail, fashion, beauty and lifestyle executive leadership.41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Mack InternationalC-suite retained search for family offices, family investment firms, family enterprises and wealth management.41.3RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17N2GrowthBoard and executive search, succession planning and leadership advisory41.3RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Norman Alex41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17NY Staff Search41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Phillips OppenheimExecutive and leadership search for nonprofit organizations.41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17PNP Staffing Group41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Reffett AssociatesSenior leadership and executive recruitment41.3RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17René Plessner Associates, Inc.Executive recruitment for entrepreneurial, cosmetics and creative consumer businesses41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Robertson AssociatesBoard, executive and senior management search41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17RSR PartnersGreenwich, Connecticut · Board and CEO recruitment, C-suite search, asset management, family offices and private equity41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Seiden Krieger AssociatesRetained board and executive searches for corporations, private equity and nonprofit organizations.41.3RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Sentient PartnersSenior management candidate research, vetting and development for employers and executive search firms.41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Sheffield HaworthExecutive search across financial services, technology, professional services and industrials41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Stanton ChaseBoard and executive search, leadership assessment and succession across private equity and professional sectors.41.3RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Sterling InternationalExecutive search for fashion, luxury goods and retail companies41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17The Brentwood Group41.3RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
Score built from public signals · Fee model from firm websites · Terms reported by firms · Terms never affect the score
Executive search firms in every city →The index is free to read and free to be listed in. Our sponsor makes that possible, and has no say in any ranking.
How these firms are scored
Rank here is within Executive Search. Every score is built from public signals and measures specialisation and activity, not a guarantee of service quality. Terms, claiming and sponsorship never change it.
- Specialist focus
- 40%
- Market activity
- 35%
- Track record
- 25%
What Exec Search firms charge
Market context · Fee survey
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How do executive search firms in New York charge?
Of the firms ranked here, by their own websites: 14 retained. Most agencies charge a percentage of the hire's first-year base salary. Contingency recruiters are commonly quoted at around 15–25% and are paid only when you hire; retained and executive search firms often charge 25–35%, paid in stages as the search progresses. Our anonymous New York fee survey collects what firms actually charge, by specialty.
How are executive search firms ranked here?
Rank is within this specialty only. The biggest factor is specialist focus: the share of a firm's open roles that are in this field. Hiring activity and track record make up the rest. No firm can pay for placement.
Should I use more than one recruiter?
For contingency roles many employers brief two or three firms at once. Retained searches are exclusive by design. Posting one brief here sends it to the specialists and lets you compare their approach and terms before you commit.