What does an executive search or board search mandate cost — and how long does it take?
Two of the most common questions when considering executive search or board search for the first time are what it costs and how long it takes. The answer varies with the complexity of the role, but here are some general industry benchmarks.
Fee models
The most common models in the industry are retainer (a fixed fee paid in phases throughout the mandate, regardless of outcome) and success fee (payment linked to the candidate actually being hired). The retainer model is most common for executive search and board search mandates, partly because it ensures the search is carried out thoroughly and confidentially, independent of time pressure.
The exact fee structure is always agreed specifically for each mandate — feel free to get in touch for a no-obligation quote tailored to your role.
Timeline
As a general industry norm, an executive search mandate typically takes 8–14 weeks from start to signed contract, depending on the complexity of the role, how specialized the competence is, and how available relevant candidates are in the market. Board search can be faster or take longer depending on how narrowly the requirement specification is defined.
What influences price and timeline the most?
- —How specialized or rare the competence is in the market
- —Whether the search is national or requires an international network
- —Whether structured assessment is included in addition to search and interviews
- —How clearly the requirement specification is defined from the start