Executive Search Recruitment
Executive search recruitment
graduate to partner.
We place delivery and fee-earning search professionals at boutique and global search firms across the UK and US. Researchers, consultants, directors, and partners: directly sourced from our 20,000-strong network.
20,000+
search professionals in our network
98%
of placements pass their probation
9 in 10
of our search-firm placements are Russell Group graduates
UK & US
active markets for search talent
Roles we place
Across the search function
How we work
Our approach
01
Understand your firm
Every search firm is different. We take time to understand your culture, your client base, and what makes someone succeed on your desk before we go to market.
02
Network-led sourcing
With 20,000+ search professionals in our network, we find people who are genuinely ready to move, not just available. Passive candidates included.
03
Properly assessed candidates
We screen for the qualities that actually matter in search: intellectual rigour, relationship instinct, and the resilience to operate in a high-performance environment.
04
We see it through
From offer to onboarding, we stay close. Search hires are high-value, so we treat them accordingly.
Why Timberseed
Why search firms choose us
We know the search industry
We recruit exclusively for search firms. We understand how they work, what billing looks like at each level, and what separates a strong researcher from a great consultant. Two and a half interviews per placement: a shortlist you'll actually hire from.
Candidates not on job boards
The best people in search aren't actively looking. Our network is built on direct relationships, so we reach candidates your competitors can't find.
Graduate to partner level
Whether you need a graduate researcher or a senior partner to lead a practice, we have the network and the market knowledge to deliver at every level.
Straight talking
We'll tell you if a brief is unrealistic, what the market is paying, and where the talent is. That directness is why firms come back to us repeatedly: 80%+ of our search work comes from clients who've hired through us before.
What clients say
Outcomes, not promises
“Timberseed placed a senior consultant for us in three weeks. They understood our culture immediately and didn't waste our time with candidates who weren't right.”
Mark D.
Managing Partner, Boutique Search Firm
“We've used several recruiters for our research team over the years. Timberseed are the only ones who genuinely understand what good looks like in search delivery.”
Claire H.
Director, Global Executive Search
Salary guide
Executive Search Talent Market Report 2026
| Role | Base Salary | OTE |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Researcher | Coming soon | TBC |
| Consultant | Coming soon | TBC |
| Senior Consultant | Coming soon | TBC |
Full benchmarks available
Enter your email to request access to the complete salary data.
Market report
Executive Search: Movers & Leavers Report 2026
| Role | Base Salary | OTE |
|---|---|---|
| Boutique → Generalist moves | ↑ Rising | Comp premium 15–25% |
| Avg. consultant tenure | 2.5–3.5 yrs | Before active search |
| Researcher attrition | 14–18 months | Avg. before first move |
Full benchmarks available
Enter your email to request access to the complete salary data.
FAQ
Common questions
Ready to build your search team?
Tell us about your firm and the role you're hiring for. We'll come back quickly with the right people.