Executive Search Firms in India

Executive search is retained, not contingent.

List your company
Filters
Sector focus
Show all (17)
Client size
Hiring level
Provider type
Niche
Min. project budget
Team size
Trust
Showing 13–24 of 78 matching

Executive search since 1986 for employers in India, Africa, the Middle East and Asia

No reviews yet
  • navrangpura, Ahmedabad
Focus not provided

Pharma, chemical and engineering placements from Vadodara and Ankleshwar since 1996

No reviews yet
  • Dinesh Mill Road, Vadodara
Focus not provided

Chemical, pharma and petrochemical recruiters with Gulf, Singapore and Canada overseas placement, Vadodara branch

No reviews yet
  • Nizampura, Vadodara
Focus not provided

IT and multi-sector recruitment agency with corporate office in Prahlad Nagar

No reviews yet
  • Prahlad Nagar, Ahmedabad
Focus not provided

Industrial recruitment and contract staffing group headquartered on City Light Road since 2006

No reviews yet
  • city-light, Surat
Focus not provided

Pharma and life-sciences recruitment division of Big Ideas HR Consulting

No reviews yet
  • 50–249 employees
  • ashram-road, Ahmedabad
Focus not provided

Executive search firm in Vastrapur, in business since 1995

No reviews yet
  • vastrapur, Ahmedabad
Focus not provided

About Executive search in India

Executive search is retained, not contingent. A firm takes an exclusive mandate for a leadership role, maps the market, approaches people who are not looking and presents a shortlist with detailed assessments. Indian retained fees generally run 25–33% of the first-year CTC, billed in three instalments: on signing, on shortlist and on offer acceptance, with a minimum fee floor that often starts around ₹5 lakh. The questions that matter are which industries the partners themselves come from, how many searches they run at a time and whether they have off-limits agreements that stop them approaching your competitors’ talent.

Firms on this page show the share of their work at leadership level in the focus bar, their minimum mandate value and a fee band. Reviews are moderated before publication and come from boards, founders and CHROs who have actually run a search with them. Combine this filter with a sector to find firms with a genuine bench in your industry.

Frequently asked questions

How do retained search fees work in India?

Retained firms charge 25–33% of first-year CTC, usually split into three equal payments at mandate signing, shortlist presentation and offer acceptance. Unlike contingent recruitment, the first instalment is payable whether or not a hire is made, so exclusivity is expected.

How long does an executive search take?

A well-run search for a CXO or functional head typically takes 8 to 14 weeks from briefing to accepted offer. Add the candidate’s notice period, which at senior level in India is often 90 days, plus any garden-leave arrangement.

What guarantee comes with a retained search?

Most firms offer a free re-search if the executive leaves within six to twelve months, at cost of expenses only. Check whether the guarantee covers resignation as well as termination, and whether it lapses if your reporting structure changes.