Oldworth Services
We appoint CEOs and C-level executives for owner-managed, PE-backed, private and public companies in the digital, technology, media and consumer sectors.
As a dedicated partner to clients, with an unmatched understanding of company needs and the candidate experience, Oldworth Consulting commits to developing long-standing, trusted partnerships by delving into the details necessary to ensure a successful match.
Talent Search
Global retained recruitment for Board, CEO & GTM executive appointments including Marketing, Commercial, Product and P&L owners for Media, Consumer Technology Platforms, Digital, Retail and Leisure & Hospitality.
Executive Mapping
Appointments are not always reactive but the result of deep future planning. Mapping a market helps leaders to identify existing talent in markets, which can in turn focus the real needs and criteria for future hires.
Adjacent Talent Services
Targeted salary surveys and benchmarking, deep referencing and the design of interview questions are all additional services, which are included in full retained searches, but can be offered adhoc for talent teams who require independent support at various stages within the recruitment process.
If you’d like to explore how we can build your executive team, please get in touch below
Executive Search FAQs
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They’re like the talent scouts of the corporate world, diligently seeking out those rare gems who can lead organisations to new heights. Let’s dive a bit deeper into this fascinating world of executive search:
The Talent Hunt:
Imagine executive search firms as the Sherlock Holmes of recruitment. They don their metaphorical deerstalkers and magnifying glasses to uncover hidden talent.
Beyond just posting job listings, they actively seek out potential candidates—often those who aren’t actively job hunting. These are the folks who might be content in their current roles but could be persuaded by the right opportunity.
Culture Fit Matters:
It’s not just about matching skills to job descriptions. Executive search firms invest time in understanding an organization’s DNA. They want to know what makes it tick, what values it holds dear, and what quirks define its culture.
Armed with this knowledge, they can identify candidates who not only have the right qualifications but also mesh seamlessly with the company’s ethos.
Crafting Success Profiles:
Success Profiles are like bespoke suits for job roles. Tailored to perfection, they outline the specific competencies, experiences, and personality traits needed for success.
Executive search firms collaborate with clients to create these profiles, ensuring they reflect the unique demands of each position.
The Art of Persuasion:
When an executive recruiter reaches out to a potential candidate, it’s like receiving a mysterious letter from Hogwarts. 🦉
Their pitch isn’t just about the job; it’s about the adventure—the chance to lead, innovate, and impact an entire organisation. They weave a compelling narrative that entices even the most content wizards (or executives) out of their comfortable chambers.
Discretion and Trust:
Executive search professionals are the vaults of confidentiality. They guard secrets like dragons guard treasure.
Candidates confide in them, knowing that their aspirations won’t be broadcasted across the wizarding world (or LinkedIn). This trust allows recruiters to provide honest counsel and guide candidates toward the right opportunities.
Navigating the Compensation Labyrinth:
Negotiating executive compensation is like playing a high-stakes game of Wizard’s Chess. The pieces move strategically, and the stakes are sky-high.
Search firms help both sides—the organization and the candidate—navigate this delicate dance. They ensure fair compensation while considering market trends, industry standards, and the candidate’s unique value.
The Ripple Effect:
A successful executive hire isn’t just a transaction; it’s a seismic event. It sends ripples through the organisation, affecting strategy, culture, and performance.
Search firms understand this. They’re not merely matchmakers; they’re architects of organisational evolution.
So, next time you hear about an executive search firm, imagine them as wizards wielding wands made of résumés, chanting incantations to summon the perfect leader. And remember, they’re not just in the business of filling roles; they’re shaping destinies!
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Hiring a talented executive should be considered, purposeful and strategic - it is more than just posting a job ad on your website. Busy executives aren’t actively searching job boards, and even with a skilled HR team, finding and attracting top candidates is challenging. They are unlikely to respond to unsolicited emails from unknown senders.
Effective Strategy: Utilise an executive search specialist backed by experience, network and demonstrable success. Here are the key benefits:
Access to Top Candidates: Finding qualified executives often requires looking outside your company. Outsourcing this task ensures HR can focus on other priorities, avoiding the inefficiencies of sorting through unsuitable applications.
Diversity: Achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) is crucial, especially in the C-suite. Executive search firms can provide access to a diverse candidate pool, supporting your organisation's DE&I goals.
Objectivity: Neutral third-party advice is invaluable for senior-level recruitment. Executive recruiters offer unbiased feedback on job profiles and compensation, helping avoid internal politics and unconscious biases.
Faster Results: Experienced executive search teams use specialized techniques to quickly identify candidates with the right mix of skills and attributes, expediting the hiring process for complex roles.
Cost-Efficiency: Although there is an initial cost, the long-term benefits outweigh it. Reducing the time executive roles remain vacant prevents revenue loss and reputational harm. Additionally, hiring the right candidate reduces turnover costs and maintains productivity and morale.
Deep Insights: Executive search firms provide market insights to ensure competitive compensation and benefits. They also offer expertise in succession planning and leadership development, helping identify and cultivate internal talent for future opportunities.
Confidentiality: When discretion is needed, such as when the current executive is unaware of the transition, search firms can confidentially source and prepare replacements.
In summary, partnering with an executive search firm grants access to top talent, enhances diversity, provides objective insights, accelerates the hiring process, ensures cost-efficiency, offers deep market insights, and maintains confidentiality. This strategic approach secures the right leadership to drive your organisation's success.
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Recruitment and executive search are distinct processes requiring different approaches and skill sets. Here’s a high-level overview of the key differences between these functions:
Recruitment: Organisations use recruitment to attract candidates for entry and mid-level roles. They advertise positions on websites, social media, and job boards, targeting active job seekers. This broad approach works well for lower-level positions but is ineffective for senior leadership roles.
Executive Search: Executive search firms specialise in finding ideal matches for senior leadership positions. Unlike recruitment agencies, they focus on identifying candidates with the right skills, competencies, mindset, and cultural fit for the organisation. Their approach includes:
Targeting Passive Candidates: Executive search firms seek out highly qualified individuals who are not actively looking for new roles. They utilise extensive databases and networking to identify potential candidates.
In-Depth Research: These firms partner with organisations to understand their culture and structure, isolating key traits and competencies needed for leadership roles. This allows them to conduct thorough interviews and assessments, presenting only the most qualified candidates.
Global Reach and Industry Focus: Executive search firms operate globally and often specialise in specific industries or business functions, covering a broad geographic area. In contrast, recruiting agencies tend to focus on local markets and take a broader, industry-agnostic approach.
In summary, while recruitment targets a wide range of active job seekers for lower-level roles, executive search firms provide a tailored, strategic approach to identify and secure top leadership talent.
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After selecting an executive search firm and defining the terms of your retainer, the search process typically unfolds as follows:
1. Discovery: The executive search firm meets with key stakeholders—such as executive team members, board members, and HR—to discuss the role’s responsibilities, requirements, and organisational culture. The objective is to identify what is needed for success in the role.
2. Build a Success Profile: The firm creates a "Success Profile" by analyzing the position’s duties, goals, and reporting relationships. This profile details the necessary skills, competencies, and mindset, helping to define the ideal candidate and guide the search process.
3. Develop a List of Targets: The firm compiles a search strategy along with a list of potential candidates by researching similar roles within comparable companies and cultures. They use their database, proprietary sources, and social networks, and seek referrals from professional associations.
4. Qualify Prospects: The search firm contacts potential candidates to assess their fit with the Success Profile and gauge their interest in the role.
5. Interview Prospects: In-depth interviews are conducted with top candidates, either online or in person. The firm verifies skills and references to evaluate candidate suitability.
6. Present Candidates: The firm provides the client with a report detailing the top candidates’ backgrounds, strengths, and weaknesses relative to the Success Profile. They also offer insights on salary expectations and motivators.
7. Schedule Client Interviews: The client conducts comprehensive interviews with the top candidates, narrowing the field to two or three finalists.
8. Verify References: The firm checks references and confirms employment and credentials while maintaining confidentiality.
9. Extend the Offer: The firm assists the client in crafting a competitive offer, including salary and benefits.
10. Close the Search: Once the candidate accepts the offer, the firm may support onboarding and transition, concluding the engagement.
This structured approach ensures a thorough and efficient executive search, aligning candidates with the organisation’s needs and culture.
