Strong leaders are rarely job hunting, and many senior roles cannot be advertised. A retained search lets us approach those people in confidence and judge them on whether they will last in the role, not on how fast we can place someone.

What's included

Confidential retained engagement: one search, run quietly, so neither your organization nor the candidates are exposed.
Market mapping: we list the qualified leaders in the market, including people at your direct competitors.
Private direct outreach: we contact senior candidates personally and in confidence. There is no public posting.
Multi-stage assessment: leadership assessment, in-depth interviews, and reference calls before anyone reaches you.
Fit over time: we look at where a candidate's career is heading and how they lead, as well as their résumé.
Offer & transition guidance: we handle the negotiation and help the candidate leave their current job and start yours quietly.

How it works

1. Align

A confidential briefing on the role, the kind of leader you need, and why the hire matters.

2. Map

We research the market for credible candidates beyond the obvious names.

3. Engage

We approach them privately, assess them in depth, and present a short slate.

4. Secure

You meet the finalists. We handle references, the offer, and a confidential transition.

Why Pheenix for executive search

The wrong senior hire is felt across the whole organization. We keep every search confidential, look past the résumé at how a leader works day to day, and only present people we think can succeed in the role for years. We look after your reputation and treat the candidates with respect.

Executive Search