In the United States, there are over 1,200 organizations that provides Executive Search services but only less than 140 firms that offers true Retained Executive Search. We are proud to present you our Top 99 Retained Executive Search Firms in America for 2021.

The ranking covers executive search firms that are headquartered in the US.

Retained Executive Search consultants are some of the most powerful people in corporate America. They are insider’s insider and wields significant power over Boards and senior executives.

Retained Executive Search takes a consultative approach like management consulting in hiring senior executives, typically Board positions, C-Suite, and other critical leadership positions. The search methodology systematically identifies all relevant candidates including passive and hard-to-reach ones.

They harness the power of their closely guarded network and research team to reach high-quality candidates otherwise not accessible to normal recruiters. This form of search is ideal when you need the most qualified person and not just a qualified person.

Our ranking is based on a combination of factors with confidentiality being the cornerstone of the methodology. We gathered feedback from clients and candidates over a period of 9 months with extensive research on the search process of these individual firms.

Our ranking is not solely based on revenue or size of the business. “Revenue-only” approach to ranking puts smaller firms and those not willing to disclose revenue at a disadvantage even though they are deeply valued and trusted by candidates and clients alike.

Search firms that post jobs online or on LinkedIn simply do not make it to our list.