SearchOS™ Executive
Your next leader, found in confidence.
A leadership hire is too important to make blind. See the market first, then let a partner lead your search, in confidence.
- Discovery first: the market and the role in 2 weeks, $3,900
- 25% of first-year base salary, paid in stages
- A 6-month replacement guarantee
Since 1997, we've placed CFOs, COOs, CEOs and VPs across energy, industrial and corporate sectors.
Leaders we've placed
The CXOs and executive leaders behind growing companies
Placed in confidence since 1997.
- Energy
- Industrial
- Engineering
- Environmental
- Consumer
- Software
- President & CEO, Oil and gas producer, Small company
- CFO, Private-equity-backed offshore oil and gas producer, Large company
- VP of Operations, Permian crude oil pipeline joint venture, Large company
- COO, Oilfield services, Mid-size company
- CFO, Family-owned group in logistics, industrial and midstream energy, Mid-size company
- VP of Supply Chain, Public natural gas producer, Large company
- VP & COO, Public oil and gas producer, Mid-size company
- CFO, Consumer products manufacturer, Small company
- VP of Drilling and Completion Fluids, Private-equity-backed oilfield chemicals maker, Mid-size company
- VP & COO, Holding company in restoration, mitigation banking and real estate, Mid-size company
- CFO, Century-old fuel and lubricants distributor, Small company
- VP of Project Management, Energy services, Mid-size company
- CFO, Louisiana oil and gas producer, Small company
- VP of Business Development, Energy services, Mid-size company
- CFO, Oilfield equipment rental, Small company
- VP of Operations, Environmental restoration contractor, Small company
- VP of Operations, Oilfield leak-repair technology, Small company
Meet your partners
One partner stays with your search from start to finish.
How your executive search works
Define
An intake call, then Discovery: we validate the role and map the executive market, and present both on a call with a written report.
Discovery presented
Within 2 weeks
Attract
Confidential approaches to the leaders who fit. We qualify each one and present a shortlist of at least two to three, each with a summary. You see the metrics live.
Shortlist presented
Typically within 4–8 weeks
Select
You review and interview your shortlist; we arrange every interview and debrief you after each one.
Interviews arranged
Within 1 business day
Interview debrief
Within 1 business day of each interview
Hire
Offer, resignation and transition, then check-ins with you and your leader through their first year.
Offer conversation
Within 1 business day of your offer
Check-ins with you and your leader
At 30 days, 90 days, 6 months and 1 year
A partner leads your search. You interview and decide; we do the rest, discreetly.
What we own
- Discovery: market analysis and role calibration
- Confidential outreach and executive qualification
- Scheduling, debriefs and candidate communication
- Offer, resignation, transition, and check-ins through the first year
What you own
- The intake and approvals
- Conducting the interviews
- Feedback within 1 business day
- The decision, offer letter, background checks and onboarding
Pricing
SearchOS™ Executive
25%of first-year base salary
Paid in stages, starting with $3,900 for Discovery
Not ready to commit? Stop after Discovery and nothing more is owed.
- Discovery first: the market and the role in 2 weeks
- Shortlist typically within 4–8 weeks
- A 6-month replacement guarantee
Full terms
- Fee
- 25% of first-year base salary, paid in stages.
- Stages
- $3,900 for Discovery, credited to your fee · ⅓ at search start · ⅓ at the first interview · the balance when your leader starts.
- Example
- $200,000 role (fee $50,000): $3,900 for Discovery, $16,667 when the search starts, $16,667 at the first interview, $12,766 when your leader starts.
- Fee basis
- Base salary only, never bonus. Roles paid mainly by commission or variable pay are agreed in writing.
- Stopping
- Each stage's fee is earned when that stage is reached. If you stop, stages already paid are kept and later stages aren't charged.
- Exclusivity
- 90 days for the role.
- Candidate protection
- 12 months from submission.
- Off-limits
- The function we hired into is off-limits to us for 12 months after the search.
- Replacement guarantee
- 6 months. It covers a leader who resigns or is let go for performance: one replacement search, not a refund. The fee must be paid in full, and you tell us within 5 business days. Layoffs, restructuring and role changes are excluded.
- Other costs
- Travel or outside costs only with your approval.
- Check-ins
- With you and your leader at 30 days, 90 days, 6 months and 1 year.
Frequently asked questions
Ask us anythingWhat is Discovery, and what do I get?
Two weeks of work before the search starts. We validate the role against the executive market: the competitors, where the right leaders are and how available they are. We calibrate the role with you: its scope, title, expectations and pay positioning. You get a written report and a scheduled call to walk through it. It's $3,900, credited to your fee.
What if Discovery changes my mind?
That's the point of doing it first. You can adjust the role, go ahead with the search, or stop. If you stop, nothing more is owed.
How do you keep the search confidential?
There's no public job post, and access on HiringOS is restricted. Candidates learn your company's name only at the stage you agree, and references follow consent.
How long does an executive search take?
Discovery is presented within two weeks. Once you approve the search, we typically present a shortlist in 4 to 8 weeks, and you can follow the metrics live on HiringOS. Every market is different, so we share our track record rather than promise a date.
Which roles need executive search?
C-suite and EVP roles, and VP or Director roles with real P&L or budget authority. A title alone doesn't make it an executive search. For other senior roles, engaged search is usually the right fit.
See SearchOS engaged searchWhat will it cost, and when do I pay?
25% of first-year base salary, paid as the search moves forward. On a $200,000 role: $3,900 for Discovery, $16,667 when the search starts, $16,667 at your first interview and $12,766 when your leader starts.
How is this different from a traditional search firm?
Retained firms typically charge 28–35%, often on base salary plus bonus, and commonly take a third of the fee before you've seen the market. We charge 25% of base salary only. Discovery comes first, for $3,900, so you see the market before you commit. Then a partner owns the search, and you follow the metrics live on HiringOS.
What if I stop the search?
Stages you've already paid are kept, and later stages aren't charged.
What does the replacement guarantee cover?
If your new leader resigns or is let go for performance within 6 months, we run one replacement search at no extra fee. Layoffs and role changes aren't covered, and you'll need to tell us within 5 business days.
Have you placed leaders like this before?
Yes. Since 1997, we've placed CFOs, COOs, CEOs and VPs across energy, industrial and corporate sectors. A sample is listed above, with company names kept confidential.
Start with a confidential conversation
Tell us about the role. Discovery shows you the market before you commit to the search.
Hiring done right.