Executive search is a specialised form of management consulting employed specifically to identify, assess and attract senior management talent on behalf of a client organisation. It involves a recruitment methodology where the requirements are specific and a personal approach is often needed to attract the best candidates, who may or may not be active job-seekers. This is our core business and we are exclusively retained by our clients.

Executive search is a discrete and confidential systematic process and involves the following key phases:

Understanding the Company

Executive search is also a partnership process. We work to understand a client’s organisation, its business strategy, markets, values and culture. This phase allows us to gather essential data and to represent the client effectively.

Assignment Brief

As in any partnership, we take an active role in defining the responsibilities attached to the position and the necessary candidate skills and experience to succeed.

Following our discussions, we prepare an assignment brief, outlining the organisation, detailing the real scope of the responsibilities, reporting lines, global package and other fringe benefits. From there we define a profile of the ideal candidate in terms of specific experience and qualifications, as well as leadership and other personal requirements.

Identification

A consultant will evaluate the likely sources of candidates and be supported by a strong research team whose primary role is to identify target organisations and individuals and to approach those who appear to meet the requirement. Our researchers respect rigorous ethical procedures in approaching potential candidates. All conversations take place in absolute discretion and confidentiality.

Progress Meetings

We believe it is essential to work closely with our clients at every stage of an assignment and, in addition to keeping our client appraised weekly of major developments, we schedule progress meetings to discuss the candidate population we have identified and profiled. This enables the research strategy to remain focused.

Selection Progress

Each candidate is personally interviewed to assess their capabilities and potential ‘fit’. We analyse in depth the candidate’s experience, personality and professional goals.

Presentation of Candidates

We personally present a confidential report for each of the final candidates. Initially meetings between client and candidates can take place either at the client’s site or at our own offices. Our offices are discrete and provide adequate protection for the candidates, until a final mutual decision is agreed.

Reference Checking

When the preferred candidate has been identified and both client and candidate have expressed an interest in working together, we contact referees able to comment in depth upon the candidate’s leadership ability, integrity, technical competence, achievements and personal characteristics to support impressions gained during interviews. The candidate is always informed in advance that references are going to be processed and local laws regulating privacy will be respected.

Final Negotiations

We frequently help our clients in the final negotiation phase, structuring an adequate remuneration package, and other fringe benefits, in order to attract the selected candidate. An important item in this negotiation is the definition of a detailed job description, establishing areas of responsibility, performance objectives and evaluation guidelines.

Integration

Our consultants will continue working with the client and the candidate, to ensure successful transition and integration into the client organisation. Over the following six months, we maintain dialogue with the client and the successful candidate to avert any problems in adjustment.

Ensuring Quality

We do measure our performance against client expectation and we ask our clients to comment on their perception of the whole process as we believe quality of service is paramount.

For further information on our services, or to discuss a specific requirement in more detail, please contact either the Business Development Director, Antti Joutseno, the appropriate Regional Business Development Leader or your local country office.