Specialty leaderboard · Updated Nov 11, 2026
Executive search firms, Sydney
Fee models, from the firms' own websites: 7 retained. Together they advertise 237 open roles.
155
Executive Search firms ranked
| Rank | Firm | Focus | Fee model | Terms | Open roles | Index score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Jon Michel Executive Search (JMES)Level 7, 15 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000 · since 1997 | Financial services, funds management, private capital and corporate executive appointments | Not stated | Not disclosed | 19 | 53.6 |
| 02 | Watermark Search Internationalsince 1979 | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 2 | 53.0 |
| 03 | HardyGroup | Health, human services and public-sector executives, clinical leadership and interim management. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 19 | 50.9 |
| 04 | Pacific Talent Partnerssince 2015 | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 10 | 50.6 |
| 05 | 3P Partnerssince 2013 | Executive and senior functional recruitment for food, beverage and agribusiness companies. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 8 | 50.0 |
| 06 | PJ Recruitment & Executive Searchsince 2009 | Executive, finance and leadership recruitment in health, aged care and community services | Not stated | Not disclosed | 5 | 49.4 |
| 07 | LG Services Groupsince 2007 | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 6 | 44.5 |
| 08 | Forza Internationalsince 2003 | CEO, finance, HR, technology, legal, risk, supply chain and commercial leadership | Not stated | Not disclosed | 5 | 43.7 |
| 09 | Human Solutions Groupsince 2004 | Executive search and professional recruitment across finance, technology, medical and property. | Retained | Not disclosed | 3 | 42.2 |
| 10 | Mondo Searchsince 1998 | Executive leadership, board appointments, finance, marketing and business development. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 2 | 41.6 |
| 11 | Oaktree Talent GroupSydney CBD | Strategy, transformation, management consulting and interim executive recruitment | Not stated | Not disclosed | 31 | 41.5 |
| =12 | 325 ConsultingSuite 502, Level 5, 350 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 · since 2011 | Current and former management consultants for strategy, transformation and leadership roles | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | Actuate Recruitment Groupsince 2011 | Executive and specialist recruitment for internal audit, risk management, compliance and governance | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | ADVIZAsince 2008 | Executive, board, technology, sales, marketing, finance, legal and HR recruitment | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | Ampersandsince 2008 | Executive, marketing, communications, technology, transformation and government recruitment | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | A.S.Ksince 1985 | Technology executives, enterprise software, cybersecurity, data, AI and digital assets | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | AustCorp Executivesince 1996 | Executive search and professional technology, engineering and life sciences recruitment | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | Beaumont People — Professional Services & Executive SearchSydney CBD · since 2001 | Executive search and professional services recruitment, including finance, HR, marketing and business support | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | BKP Executive Searchsince 2004 | Executive, engineering, construction, operations and HR leadership | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | Calibre Searchsince 2007 | Transport and social infrastructure professionals and executives | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | Chifley Global Groupsince 2003 | C-suite and senior executive search for corporate, education and nonprofit organisations | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | elev8since 2001 | CIO, CTO, CDO, CISO and technology program leadership | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | ELR Executivesince 1996 | C-suite, non-executive directors and senior management in FMCG, food and beverage and fresh produce | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | Interim Executive Searchsince 2001 | Interim executives and senior management | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | Kincannon & Reedsince 1981 | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | Lucan Groupsince 2008 | Executive search and professional recruitment across specialist industries | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | Mackay Executivesince 2006 | Senior technology, corporate-services and public-sector executive recruitment and consulting. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | Mavensince 2009 | Senior leadership search for architecture and design practices | Retained | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | Morgan Youngsince 2007 | C-suite and executive search, technology leadership, financial officers, asset and wealth management. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | Omera Partnerssince 2002 | Board selection, executive search and interim leadership | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | Oryx Peoplesince 2005 | Automotive executive, management, sales, finance and corporate recruitment | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | People Onesince 2003 | Executive search, senior professional recruitment and interim management | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | PerceptorLevel 20, 135 King St, Sydney NSW 2000 · since 1999 | Executive search for CEOs, finance, customer, technology and AI leaders, non-executive directors and interim executives. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | Q Consulting Groupsince 2003 | Executive, finance, technology, risk and corporate leadership recruitment for SMEs and startups | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | Sheffield Haworthsince 1993 | Executive and senior specialist search across financial services, technology and professional services. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | Talent Focus RecruitmentSuite 5.03, Level 5, Alpha Building, 5 Celebration Drive, Bella Vista NSW 2153 · since 1997 | Executive search and professional engineering, technical and operations recruitment. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | Tardis Group1 Sussex Street, Barangaroo NSW 2000 · since 1989 | Executive recruitment across finance, technology, legal and other professional sectors | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| =12 | Titan Servicessince 2002 | Senior leadership, regional leadership, sales and practice management. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 41.3 |
| 39 | TSHR — Executive & Corporate RecruitmentSydney CBD · since 1995 | Executive, digital, ecommerce, marketing, creative, merchandising, HR and finance recruitment | Not stated | Not disclosed | 1 | 41.2 |
| 40 | Perceptive Talent Solutionssince 2013 | Executive search, public sector recruitment, contract professionals and interim leaders. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 4 | 40.6 |
| =41 | Core Elementsince 2012 | FMCG, food, drinks and pharma executive, sales, marketing and functional leadership | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 40.1 |
| =41 | Perrett Laver | Executive, board and senior leadership search across education, research, social impact and public-interest sectors. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 71 | 40.1 |
| =41 | Titanium PartnersBarangaroo · since 2012 | Board, C-suite and senior executive search across commercial, industrial, technology and investment-backed businesses. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 40.1 |
| =44 | Talent Match Recruitmentsince 2013 | — | Not stated | Not disclosed | 1 | 38.9 |
| =44 | Temple Executive SearchLevel 29, 85 Castlereagh St, Sydney NSW 2000 · since 2013 | Corporate affairs, communications, public affairs, investor relations, sustainability and board search. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 38.9 |
| 46 | Allura PartnersLevel 16, 1 Margaret Street, Sydney NSW 2000 | C-suite, private-equity and professional recruitment across finance, technology and business transformation. | Not stated | Not disclosed | 22 | 37.8 |
| 47 | Social Impact Careerssince 2021 | Executive, finance, fundraising and specialist recruitment for nonprofit and social impact organisations | Not stated | Not disclosed | 12 | 37.5 |
| 48 | Talent Search Haussince 2015 | Board and C-suite executive search | Not stated | Not disclosed | 0 | 36.6 |
| 49 | Odgers | Board, CEO and senior executive search and leadership advisory | Retained | Not disclosed | 3 | 34.7 |
| 50 | Agricultural Appointments | Agribusiness, food and wine management and professional recruitment | Not stated | Not disclosed | 13 | 32.3 |
- 01Jon Michel Executive Search (JMES)Level 7, 15 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000 · Financial services, funds management, private capital and corporate executive appointments53.6Not statedNot disclosed19 open roles
- 02Watermark Search International53.0Not statedNot disclosed2 open roles
- 03HardyGroupHealth, human services and public-sector executives, clinical leadership and interim management.50.9Not statedNot disclosed19 open roles
- 04Pacific Talent Partners50.6Not statedNot disclosed10 open roles
- 053P PartnersExecutive and senior functional recruitment for food, beverage and agribusiness companies.50.0Not statedNot disclosed8 open roles
- 06PJ Recruitment & Executive SearchExecutive, finance and leadership recruitment in health, aged care and community services49.4Not statedNot disclosed5 open roles
- 07LG Services Group44.5Not statedNot disclosed6 open roles
- 08Forza InternationalCEO, finance, HR, technology, legal, risk, supply chain and commercial leadership43.7Not statedNot disclosed5 open roles
- 09Human Solutions GroupExecutive search and professional recruitment across finance, technology, medical and property.42.2RetainedNot disclosed3 open roles
- 10Mondo SearchExecutive leadership, board appointments, finance, marketing and business development.41.6Not statedNot disclosed2 open roles
- 11Oaktree Talent GroupSydney CBD · Strategy, transformation, management consulting and interim executive recruitment41.5Not statedNot disclosed31 open roles
- =12325 ConsultingSuite 502, Level 5, 350 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 · Current and former management consultants for strategy, transformation and leadership roles41.3RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12Actuate Recruitment GroupExecutive and specialist recruitment for internal audit, risk management, compliance and governance41.3RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12ADVIZAExecutive, board, technology, sales, marketing, finance, legal and HR recruitment41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12AmpersandExecutive, marketing, communications, technology, transformation and government recruitment41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12A.S.KTechnology executives, enterprise software, cybersecurity, data, AI and digital assets41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12AustCorp ExecutiveExecutive search and professional technology, engineering and life sciences recruitment41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12Beaumont People — Professional Services & Executive SearchSydney CBD · Executive search and professional services recruitment, including finance, HR, marketing and business support41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12BKP Executive SearchExecutive, engineering, construction, operations and HR leadership41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12Calibre SearchTransport and social infrastructure professionals and executives41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12Chifley Global GroupC-suite and senior executive search for corporate, education and nonprofit organisations41.3RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12elev8CIO, CTO, CDO, CISO and technology program leadership41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12ELR ExecutiveC-suite, non-executive directors and senior management in FMCG, food and beverage and fresh produce41.3RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12Interim Executive SearchInterim executives and senior management41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12Kincannon & Reed41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12Lucan GroupExecutive search and professional recruitment across specialist industries41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12Mackay ExecutiveSenior technology, corporate-services and public-sector executive recruitment and consulting.41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12MavenSenior leadership search for architecture and design practices41.3RetainedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12Morgan YoungC-suite and executive search, technology leadership, financial officers, asset and wealth management.41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12Omera PartnersBoard selection, executive search and interim leadership41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12Oryx PeopleAutomotive executive, management, sales, finance and corporate recruitment41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12People OneExecutive search, senior professional recruitment and interim management41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12PerceptorLevel 20, 135 King St, Sydney NSW 2000 · Executive search for CEOs, finance, customer, technology and AI leaders, non-executive directors and interim executives.41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12Q Consulting GroupExecutive, finance, technology, risk and corporate leadership recruitment for SMEs and startups41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12Sheffield HaworthExecutive and senior specialist search across financial services, technology and professional services.41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12Talent Focus RecruitmentSuite 5.03, Level 5, Alpha Building, 5 Celebration Drive, Bella Vista NSW 2153 · Executive search and professional engineering, technical and operations recruitment.41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12Tardis Group1 Sussex Street, Barangaroo NSW 2000 · Executive recruitment across finance, technology, legal and other professional sectors41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =12Titan ServicesSenior leadership, regional leadership, sales and practice management.41.3Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- 39TSHR — Executive & Corporate RecruitmentSydney CBD · Executive, digital, ecommerce, marketing, creative, merchandising, HR and finance recruitment41.2Not statedNot disclosed1 open roles
- 40Perceptive Talent SolutionsExecutive search, public sector recruitment, contract professionals and interim leaders.40.6Not statedNot disclosed4 open roles
- =41Core ElementFMCG, food, drinks and pharma executive, sales, marketing and functional leadership40.1Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =41Perrett LaverExecutive, board and senior leadership search across education, research, social impact and public-interest sectors.40.1Not statedNot disclosed71 open roles
- =41Titanium PartnersBarangaroo · Board, C-suite and senior executive search across commercial, industrial, technology and investment-backed businesses.40.1Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- =44Talent Match Recruitment38.9Not statedNot disclosed1 open roles
- =44Temple Executive SearchLevel 29, 85 Castlereagh St, Sydney NSW 2000 · Corporate affairs, communications, public affairs, investor relations, sustainability and board search.38.9Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- 46Allura PartnersLevel 16, 1 Margaret Street, Sydney NSW 2000 · C-suite, private-equity and professional recruitment across finance, technology and business transformation.37.8Not statedNot disclosed22 open roles
- 47Social Impact CareersExecutive, finance, fundraising and specialist recruitment for nonprofit and social impact organisations37.5Not statedNot disclosed12 open roles
- 48Talent Search HausBoard and C-suite executive search36.6Not statedNot disclosed0 open roles
- 49OdgersBoard, CEO and senior executive search and leadership advisory34.7RetainedNot disclosed3 open roles
- 50Agricultural AppointmentsAgribusiness, food and wine management and professional recruitment32.3Not statedNot disclosed13 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
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Describe the role once. We route it to the Sydney firms that specialise in it, and they reply with their approach and terms.
Post a brief →Executive search firms in Sydney: questions
How do executive search firms in Sydney charge?
Of the firms ranked here, by their own websites: 7 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.
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.