Executive search firms, also known as headhunters, specialize in recruiting and placing executive-level professionals in a variety of industries. These firms typically work on a retained basis, meaning they are hired and paid by the company looking to fill the position, rather than the candidate.
They use their networks, industry knowledge, and recruitment expertise to identify and attract high-quality candidates who are a good fit for the company and the specific role. Some well-known executive search firms include Korn Ferry, Spencer Stuart, and Heidrick & Struggles.
There are many executive search firms that specialize in recruiting for human resources roles. Some of the top firms in this area include:
- Korn Ferry: Korn Ferry is a global firm that provides a range of services including executive search, leadership development, and talent management.
- Heidrick & Struggles: Heidrick & Struggles is a global firm that focuses on senior-level executive search and leadership advisory services.
- Spencer Stuart: Spencer Stuart is a leading executive search firm that provides a range of services including board director appointments, CEO succession planning, and executive search.
- Egon Zehnder: Egon Zehnder is a global firm that provides executive search, leadership assessment, and development services.
- Russell Reynolds Associates: Russell Reynolds Associates is a global firm that provides executive search, leadership assessment, and development services.
- KPMG Executive Search: KPMG Executive Search is a global firm that provides executive search and other related services to the Human Resource Industry.
- Boyden: Boyden is a global firm that provides executive search and talent advisory services, including human resources and other related areas.
- DHR International: DHR International is a global executive search firm that specializes in recruiting for human resources roles.
These are a few among the many firms that excel in the field of executive search for human resources. It’s always good to do your own research and find the one that aligns with the specific needs of your organization.
Top HR Executive Search Firms in the U.S.
1. Cowen Partners Executive Search
Cowen Partners is the nation’s executive search firm, enabling companies to harness the power of human capital to fuel their success. Cowen Partners gives our clients access to the top 1% of human capital to create opportunities that accelerate their growth and market share. With Cowen Partners, clients can grow at scale, create value, and drive results with world class talent.
Our clients are both small and large, publicly traded, pre-IPO, private, and non-profit organizations. Clients are typically $50 million to multi-billion-dollar revenue Fortune 1000 companies or have assets between $500 million to $15 billion. Successful placements span the entire C-Suite and include VP and director level leadership roles.
With our proven processes and guaranteed results, we have successfully placed hundreds of candidates in industries including technology, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, financial services, and private equity.
2. Korn Ferry International
Korn Ferry has worked to innovate executive search and recruitment since 1969, working closely with clients and candidates to build solutions for companies and employees alike. They strive to acquire talent and leadership within their own organization to better serve the needs of clients and their own employees, leading them to be one of the highest income search firms in the world.
Korn Ferry International is dedicated to providing many quality jobs to a variety of employees with a strong focus on profits and diversifying the workplace to ensure a better future for everyone.
3. Heidrick & Struggles
Heidrick & Struggles was one of the first executive search firms in the U.S. and they’ve constantly improved and reorganized to offer their clients the best services possible. Despite some struggles in the past few years, the company has always put their clients and customers first with a methodology of understanding each client’s issues, needs, and goals to provide quality candidates to companies in need.
“CEOs increasingly recognize that talent is the most critical lever of business success. Standing at the intersection of strategy and execution, the human resources (HR) executive of today anticipates the business needs of tomorrow in order to drive the organization’s objectives through the acquisition, development and retention of the right human capital.”
H&S strives to match correctly qualified candidates with teams that need them in a rapidly changing workplace environment and provide true value to their clients.
4. Egon Zehnder
For the past 60 years, Egon Zehnder has been identifying, categorizing, and placing the right leadership with the right companies by using a long-term outlook. They match this with regular consultation follow-ups to ensure that they’ve found the right employee to fill the position and that they’ve found a lasting solution to the business needs while encouraging diversity and equality.
Egon Zehnder believes in an equal workplace at a strategic level and that by opening their search to every possible candidate they are able to achieve both operational and societal success with the service they provide.
5. Recruiterie
For 2 decades, Recruiterie has focused on strategic recruiting while keeping in mind that every client has their own unique needs. Rather than being transactional, they focus on building a relationship with their candidates. Their thorough face-to-face recruiting process results in the highest quality candidates for their high-quality clients.
Recruiterie believes in 360 degree recruiting that involves learning, connecting, analyzing, delivering and deciding. They ensure that no step is overlooked and that their client is well-informed throughout the process.
6. Spencer Stuart
Spencer Stuart is possibly the most traditional search firm on this list, however, their strength doesn’t come from size or innovation but their solid approach and their striving to perfect their method. They routinely connect the right employees to clients ranging from multinational corporations to entrepreneurial startups and nonprofit organizations across several industries.
Spencer Stuart may be more traditional, but that doesn’t mean they don’t take their clients extremely seriously and they do their job well, connecting the right people to the right companies time and time again.
Top HR Headhunters & Recruiting Firms: The Bottom Line
When it comes to the best-rated HR recruiting firms, the corporations listed above have massive connections around the globe and a pool of the finest candidates that can match your needs and requirements.
Take a look at these amazing HR headhunters when you need the nation’s top talent.
Find Top Recruiting Firms for Any Specialty
Looking for another C-suite executive? Check out some of the other top executive headhunters across the nation for a range of specialties, including the:
