With the hunt for top talent becoming increasingly challenging, it is important that businesses adopt the right approach when seeking people for their senior-level and executive positions. A good hire can help drive a business forward, improving performance against targets and setting more effective strategies for long term sustainability and growth. Hiring the wrong individual can magnify inefficiencies, cause internal conflict, and limit the potential growth of a business.

What is  executive search?

An executive search firm will work closely with the client on an exclusive and retained basis. They will take time to fully understand the brief, analyse the market and target the best people available using a structured search approach.

What are the differences between retained executive search and contingency recruitment?

What are the main benefits of working with a retained executive search firm?

• One point of contact who will act as an extension of your business

• Your consultant will gain an in-depth understanding of the requirement and objectives of the position, ensuring that the search focus is inline with your expectations and requirements

• Identify the most suitable candidates in the market, most of whom will be ‘passive’ job seekers, rather than relying upon applications to job adverts

• An enhanced selection process will assess suitability, strengths and weaknesses of all potential candidates, resulting in a stronger shortlist of profiles

• Due to the rigorous selection process, candidates should prove themselves to be a better fit for the business, resulting in increased stability

• Use of search to address any imbalances in diversity of the Board or senior management teams

• Ability to work confidentially; something key, especially if considering people from market competitors or clients

• A more methodical and structured approach, with agreed timeframes and measurable outcomes

• Improved perception of the recruitment process for potential candidates

Why choose Savant for your next executive search?

Savant has a strong history of running successful retained campaigns. Here are just some of the comments from our clients:

CFO:

Professional, not pushy, and behaved like a top-end, executive search company rather than a run-of-the-mill recruitment agency. Savant listened to and correctly interpreted the brief, and quickly and painlessly identified and closed the process with an excellent candidate, regularly communicating throughout. I would use Savant again and highly recommend their services.

Director of Internal Audit:

Savant’s hallmark has always been a deep desire to understand not just the parameters of the role and the required candidate skillset, but the culture of the business, the styles of the key stakeholders and what characteristics would be needed for a candidate to thrive and succeed long-term. This has meant that successful candidates have become long-term valued employees. I know that I can trust Savant to work quickly and effectively and I believe in their strong knowledge of the candidate market. They are pleasant and friendly to work with and are a genuine business partner to me.

Finance Director:

Savant has always listened and taken on board what I was looking for, finding opportunities that would help me grow and develop. I knew when we had a challenge finding the right candidate to fill a senior accounting role that Savant would be able to help and they didn't disappoint. The attributes I relied on as a candidate are equally valuable as a client. In a short time frame, with a demanding brief, Savant identified candidates and ultimately filled the role.

CFO:

Our business was going through a period of extensive change driven by organic growth and acquisitions. Savant’s thoughts on the structure of the team, the allocation of tasks within it, and the seniority/salaries of the individuals were invaluable. Savant supported us in finding a strong Group Financial Controller as well as two other appointments. Savant were knowledgeable, diligent and always willing to be flexible. I would be happy to recommend Savant to anybody looking to recruit into their finance department at the senior level.

Head of Tax:

The service I received from Savant was honest and more personal than other agencies I have used. The best aspect was the attentive approach and the understanding of the practice.

Please contact Savant to discuss your long-term business strategy and growth plans.