Dedicated talent pool
An exclusive shortlist of qualified candidates, compiled specifically for your role.
Executive Search
Finding the right leader for your organisation
Specialised executive search for C-level, board and VP positions. No cure, no pay: you only pay on a successful placement. Fixed fee upfront and a dedicated talent pool you keep.
500+
Executive placements
6 mo
placement guarantee
95%
Retention after 12 months
7,500+
Executives in network
What you get
Concrete deliverables, no vague promises
With every executive search you receive a complete package of deliverables, from talent pool to onboarding support.
Executive assessment
Competency-based evaluation with STAR methodology, culture-fit analysis and leadership potential.
A fast shortlist
Typically a quality shortlist within weeks, with no compromise on quality.
Guarantee scheme
Placement guarantee with a free restart if the match does not work out.
Weekly reporting
Transparent updates on progress, pipeline and market insights throughout the entire process.
Onboarding support
100-day support after placement to ensure a successful start.
Who it's for
Positions we fill
From CEO to VP level: we find leaders who genuinely make the difference for your organisation.
CEO / Managing Director
Strategic leadership for growth, transformation or turnaround.
CFO / Finance Director
Financial leadership for governance, M&A and scaling up.
CTO / CIO
Technology leadership for digital transformation and innovation.
CHRO / HR Director
People leadership for organisational development and culture change.
COO / Operations Director
Operational leadership for efficiency and process optimisation.
VP / Head-of roles
Senior management for specific business units or functional areas.
When do you bring in executive search?
- Rapid growth and scaling up
- Strategic transformation
- Replacing key leadership
- New market or business unit
- Post-merger integration
- Turnaround or crisis
Our process
From intake to shortlist
A structured, transparent process with weekly reporting and clear milestones.
01
Intake & profile definition
Day 1-2In-depth discussion on organisation, culture, challenges and the ideal leadership profile. Together we define the must-haves and nice-to-haves.
02
Market exploration & sourcing
Day 3-8Proactive search via our network of 7,500+ executives, combined with targeted market approach and discreet outreach.
03
Assessment & shortlist
Day 9-14Competency-based interviews, STAR assessments and culture-fit analysis. You receive a shortlist of 3-5 qualified candidates.
04
Presentation & selection
Day 15-18Detailed candidate profiles with our recommendation. We support the interview process and facilitate decision-making.
05
Placement & onboarding
After selectionNegotiation, contract support and a 100-day onboarding programme for a successful start.
Quality & Assessment
A proven assessment method
STAR interviews
Structured competency interviews based on the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for an objective evaluation of leadership qualities.
Culture-fit analysis
In-depth analysis of values, leadership style and organisational culture to guarantee a lasting match: not just on paper, but in practice.
Leadership potential
Evaluation of growth potential, adaptability and strategic thinking for future-proof leadership positions.
Reference checks
Thorough reference checks with relevant stakeholders, focused on concrete achievements and leadership impact in previous roles.
Sectors
Executive search in your sector
Experience across a wide range of sectors, from tech to finance and from aviation to the public sector.
Technology & SaaS
Finance & Risk
Aviation & Defence
Professional Services
Frequently asked questions
Everything about executive search
Executive search is a specialised form of recruitment where we proactively search for senior leaders (C-level, board, VP) via an exclusive network. Unlike traditional recruitment, we do not wait for applicants but approach the best candidates directly, even when they are not actively looking.
A headhunter often works reactively and on a commission basis per placement. Executive search is a strategic, methodical process with extensive assessment, exclusive search and a guarantee scheme. At One Time Recruit we work with a fixed fee or subscription, with no hidden costs.
Traditional executive search agencies charge 25-35% of the annual salary. One Time Recruit works with transparent fixed fees or a subscription model. This means predictable costs, regardless of the candidate's salary level. Get in touch for a tailored quote.
We typically deliver a quality shortlist within weeks. The total lead time including selection and placement is usually 4-8 weeks, depending on the complexity of the role and the decision-making on your side.
Executive search is ideal for C-level positions (CEO, CFO, CTO, CHRO, COO), board roles, VP functions and other senior leadership positions. We also provide executive search for board members, supervisory directors and interim executives.
We offer a guarantee scheme on all our placements. If the match does not work out within the guarantee period, we start a new search free of charge. Our retention rate after 12 months is 95%, thanks in part to our thorough assessment method.
Three things: (1) fixed fees instead of percentage-based fees, (2) a dedicated talent pool per role that you keep, and (3) no cure, no pay: you only pay on a successful placement. We combine boutique attention with enterprise-grade delivery.
Next step
Ready to find the right leader?
Schedule a no-obligation introductory call and discover how our executive search approach works.
Schedule a call