Specialty leaderboard · Updated Nov 11, 2026
Executive search firms, New York
Fee models, from the firms' own websites: 15 retained, 1 contingency and 4 hybrid. Together they advertise 457 open roles.
Executive Search firms ranked
| Rank | Firm | Focus | Fee model | Terms | Open roles | Index score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| =17 | The Duncan Group, Inc.since 1985 | Retained search for management and administrative chiefs of staff and C-suite executive assistants. | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | The Melanie Andersen Agencysince 2009 | Executives and professional leadership in technology, consumer businesses and go-to-market functions. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | The Nexxes Group, LLCsince 2002 | C-suite, sales, marketing, senior technology and operations leadership recruitment | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | The Talent Studiossince 2011 | Consumer brands, commerce, digital services and consumer technology leadership | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =17 | Wakefield Talabisco Internationalsince 1992 | Retained senior leadership and C-suite search across financial services, consumer brands, fintech and healthcare. | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =56 | ByalaSearch LLCsince 2005 | Nonprofit, advocacy, arts, education, academic and scientific leadership | Retained | Not disclosed | 1 | 41.2 |
| =56 | Davalyn Corporationsince 1989 | Executive and professional search for industrial technology, materials, medical devices and cybersecurity businesses. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 1 | 41.2 |
| =56 | Freeman Philanthropic Services, Executive Search | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 21 | 41.2 |
| 59 | Staffing Boutique | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 38 | 41.1 |
| 60 | Henderson Scott US | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 27 | 40.3 |
| =61 | ExpertHiringsince 2012 | Direct hire and contract recruiting across technology, finance, legal and executive roles | Contingency | Not disclosed | 0 | 40.1 |
| =61 | Occam Globalsince 2012 | Life sciences, biotech, deep tech, defense tech and venture capital leadership | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 40.1 |
| 63 | Brooks Quaylesince 2012 | Finance leadership, advisory, assurance, tax, restructuring and technology | Not stated | Not disclosed | 1 | 40.0 |
| 64 | Korn Ferry | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 207 | 39.2 |
| 65 | Leichter Advisorssince 2013 | Senior investment management and distribution roles | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 38.9 |
| 66 | Resource Group 175 | Independent school leadership, advancement, enrollment and senior administration. | Retained | Not disclosed | 24 | 38.8 |
| 67 | CBIZ Talent Solutions | Executive and professional recruiting, including not-for-profit, higher education and private equity | Hybrid | Not disclosed | 23 | 38.3 |
| =68 | Bigwin Groupsince 2014 | Retained C-suite and vice president search, leadership assessment and talent scouting | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 37.8 |
| =68 | Glocap | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 22 | 37.8 |
| 70 | Acertitudesince 2015 | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 36.6 |
| 71 | McDermott + Bull | C-suite and senior leadership across financial services, nonprofits, consumer, industrial and technology sectors. | Retained | Not disclosed | 6 | 36.4 |
| 72 | Harris Rand Lusk | Retained executive and senior management search for nonprofit, public service and mission-driven organizations. | Retained | Not disclosed | 7 | 35.5 |
| =73 | Jackson Lucassince 2017 | Leadership search in real estate, financial services, technology and corporate functions. | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 34.3 |
| =73 | Second Line Advisorssince 2017 | Risk, compliance, governance and regulatory leadership for finance, fintech and technology. | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 34.3 |
| =73 | The Philanthropic Staffing Group | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 9 | 34.3 |
| =73 | Wolf Search Partners, LLCsince 2017 | Executive search across industries | Hybrid | Not disclosed | 0 | 34.3 |
| 77 | Little Birdysince 2022 | — | Hybrid | Not disclosed | 8 | 33.3 |
| 78 | Supreme TalentBrooklyn | Direct-hire recruiting for C-level and mid-level roles across industries | Not stated | Not disclosed | 14 | 33.0 |
| 79 | McCormack + Kristel | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 5 | 31.9 |
| 80 | The Assurance Group | Executive search and professional direct-hire recruitment | Not stated | Not disclosed | 12 | 31.6 |
| 81 | Mount Kemble Search GroupMorristown · since 2020 | Executive search for finance, HR, operations and sales leaders | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 30.8 |
| 82 | Knightsbridge Advisors, Inc. | Wealth management; RIA and trust-company leadership; portfolio management; relationship management and sales. | Retained | Not disclosed | 8 | 30.4 |
| =83 | EnableGreen | Sustainability and ESG leadership, renewable energy, clean technology and sustainable finance recruitment | Not stated | Not disclosed | 10 | 30.2 |
| =83 | Luxe Avenue | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 10 | 30.2 |
| =85 | Hunter Shore Groupsince 2021 | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 29.6 |
| =85 | Ikon Searchsince 2021 | Insurance, risk and compliance, legal, technology, digital marketing, communications and corporate administration | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 29.6 |
| 87 | Do Good Connections | Executive directors, CEOs and board leadership for nonprofits and philanthropic organizations | Not stated | Not disclosed | 3 | 27.6 |
| =88 | 680 Partners | C-suite, sales and marketing leadership; technology, consumer and investor-backed companies | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 23.8 |
| =88 | 81 North | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 23.8 |
| =88 | ABS Staffing Solutions | C-suite and management search, marketing, sales, HR, legal, finance, design and corporate support staffing. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 23.8 |
| =88 | Accelent | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 23.8 |
| =88 | ACEUM | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 23.8 |
| =88 | Aggancio | Executive and board search for venture-capital and private-equity firms, portfolio businesses and corporate clients. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 23.8 |
| =88 | Ahl, Berrien & Partners | Senior executive search and leadership appointments | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 23.8 |
| =88 | AJI Search | Professional and executive recruitment for healthcare, MedTech and emerging technology businesses | Hybrid | Not disclosed | 0 | 23.8 |
| =88 | August Leadership | Retained executive search, board and CEO recruitment across corporate functions and specialist industries | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 23.8 |
| =88 | Axis Talent Partners | Executive directors, development, communications and other nonprofit leadership. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 23.8 |
| =88 | Benson Stewart Associates, Incorporated | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 23.8 |
| =88 | Blue Chip Staffing | Corporate and professional staffing, direct hire and executive search across multiple industries | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 23.8 |
| =88 | BraddockMatthewsBarrett | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 23.8 |
- =17The Duncan Group, Inc.Retained search for management and administrative chiefs of staff and C-suite executive assistants.41.3RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17The Melanie Andersen AgencyExecutives and professional leadership in technology, consumer businesses and go-to-market functions.41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17The Nexxes Group, LLCC-suite, sales, marketing, senior technology and operations leadership recruitment41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17The Talent StudiosConsumer brands, commerce, digital services and consumer technology leadership41.3RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =17Wakefield Talabisco InternationalRetained senior leadership and C-suite search across financial services, consumer brands, fintech and healthcare.41.3RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =56ByalaSearch LLCNonprofit, advocacy, arts, education, academic and scientific leadership41.2RetainedNot disclosed1 open roles
- =56Davalyn CorporationExecutive and professional search for industrial technology, materials, medical devices and cybersecurity businesses.41.2Not statedNot disclosed1 open roles
- =56Freeman Philanthropic Services, Executive Search41.2Not statedNot disclosed21 open roles
- 59Staffing Boutique41.1Not statedNot disclosed38 open roles
- 60Henderson Scott US40.3Not statedNot disclosed27 open roles
- =61ExpertHiringDirect hire and contract recruiting across technology, finance, legal and executive roles40.1ContingencyNot disclosed0 open roles
- =61Occam GlobalLife sciences, biotech, deep tech, defense tech and venture capital leadership40.1Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- 63Brooks QuayleFinance leadership, advisory, assurance, tax, restructuring and technology40.0Not statedNot disclosed1 open roles
- 64Korn Ferry39.2Not statedNot disclosed207 open roles
- 65Leichter AdvisorsSenior investment management and distribution roles38.9RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- 66Resource Group 175Independent school leadership, advancement, enrollment and senior administration.38.8RetainedNot disclosed24 open roles
- 67CBIZ Talent SolutionsExecutive and professional recruiting, including not-for-profit, higher education and private equity38.3HybridNot disclosed23 open roles
- =68Bigwin GroupRetained C-suite and vice president search, leadership assessment and talent scouting37.8RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =68Glocap37.8Not statedNot disclosed22 open roles
- 70Acertitude36.6Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- 71McDermott + BullC-suite and senior leadership across financial services, nonprofits, consumer, industrial and technology sectors.36.4RetainedNot disclosed6 open roles
- 72Harris Rand LuskRetained executive and senior management search for nonprofit, public service and mission-driven organizations.35.5RetainedNot disclosed7 open roles
- =73Jackson LucasLeadership search in real estate, financial services, technology and corporate functions.34.3RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =73Second Line AdvisorsRisk, compliance, governance and regulatory leadership for finance, fintech and technology.34.3RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =73The Philanthropic Staffing Group34.3Not statedNot disclosed9 open roles
- =73Wolf Search Partners, LLCExecutive search across industries34.3HybridNot disclosed0 open roles
- 77Little Birdy33.3HybridNot disclosed8 open roles
- 78Supreme TalentBrooklyn · Direct-hire recruiting for C-level and mid-level roles across industries33.0Not statedNot disclosed14 open roles
- 79McCormack + Kristel31.9Not statedNot disclosed5 open roles
- 80The Assurance GroupExecutive search and professional direct-hire recruitment31.6Not statedNot disclosed12 open roles
- 81Mount Kemble Search GroupMorristown · Executive search for finance, HR, operations and sales leaders30.8Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- 82Knightsbridge Advisors, Inc.Wealth management; RIA and trust-company leadership; portfolio management; relationship management and sales.30.4RetainedNot disclosed8 open roles
- =83EnableGreenSustainability and ESG leadership, renewable energy, clean technology and sustainable finance recruitment30.2Not statedNot disclosed10 open roles
- =83Luxe Avenue30.2Not statedNot disclosed10 open roles
- =85Hunter Shore Group29.6Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =85Ikon SearchInsurance, risk and compliance, legal, technology, digital marketing, communications and corporate administration29.6Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- 87Do Good ConnectionsExecutive directors, CEOs and board leadership for nonprofits and philanthropic organizations27.6Not statedNot disclosed3 open roles
- =88680 PartnersC-suite, sales and marketing leadership; technology, consumer and investor-backed companies23.8RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =8881 North23.8Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =88ABS Staffing SolutionsC-suite and management search, marketing, sales, HR, legal, finance, design and corporate support staffing.23.8Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =88Accelent23.8Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =88ACEUM23.8Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =88AggancioExecutive and board search for venture-capital and private-equity firms, portfolio businesses and corporate clients.23.8Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =88Ahl, Berrien & PartnersSenior executive search and leadership appointments23.8RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =88AJI SearchProfessional and executive recruitment for healthcare, MedTech and emerging technology businesses23.8HybridNot disclosed0 open roles
- =88August LeadershipRetained executive search, board and CEO recruitment across corporate functions and specialist industries23.8RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =88Axis Talent PartnersExecutive directors, development, communications and other nonprofit leadership.23.8Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =88Benson Stewart Associates, Incorporated23.8Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =88Blue Chip StaffingCorporate and professional staffing, direct hire and executive search across multiple industries23.8Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =88BraddockMatthewsBarrett23.8Not statedNot 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
Collecting responses. No market range until enough firms answer.
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Hiring in Executive Search?
Describe the role once. We route it to the New York firms that specialise in it, and they reply with their approach and terms.
Post a brief →Executive search firms in New York: questions
How do executive search firms in New York charge?
Of the firms ranked here, by their own websites: 15 retained, 1 contingency and 4 hybrid. 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.