What are the Top NYC Executive Search Firms?
Companies that operate in New York City are uniquely positioned to find the best talent available for executive roles. NYC is a magnet for amazing C-suite candidates, but is highly competitive, which can make a search for the right executives overwhelming.
You may wonder, with such a large talent pool, where do you even start? Do business owners have the time to sift through endless resumes of highly-qualified candidates?
You need to be able to devote your time and resources to furthering your mission and growing your business. Great search firms work to specifically match executives with companies, and have access to the right candidates that align with your vision.
A lasting relationship with a top NYC executive search firm can help alleviate your stress and ensure that the right leaders are in place to lead your company into the future.
Let’s take a look at why you should use the services of an executive search firm, what universal qualities selected C-suite candidates should have, and 10 search firms that stand out from the competition.
- Why you need an executive search firm in NYC
- Qualities your next executive needs
- Top 10 NYC executive search firms
- Connect with Y Scouts
Why you need an executive search firm in NYC
As the world’s premier financial center, New York City serves as headquarters for countless national and global businesses. The good news is that this means access to inspirational, transformative leadership candidates. However, this can also create a challenge for companies in providing the needed edge to attract and find exceptional talent.
A highly competitive landscape, a huge and dynamic variety of industries, and a fast-paced business environment can make executive search firm partnerships essential for successful companies.
Here’s what top executive search firms can provide:
- Access to extensive, elite networks:
A great executive search firm has access to and relationships with proven innovative leaders and emergent leadership in multiple industries
- Confidentiality and discretion:
Executive searches are often conducted to replace C-suite positions and can involve strategic and sensitive information. Top NYC search firms are able to conduct searches without leaking information to your workforce or the media.
This can help keep your reputation and credibility intact and protect your company from any employment liability risks.
- Adherence to market insights and trends:
Top executive search firms have a thorough understanding of market insights and remain on top of the latest employment trends within multiple industries. Every search requires extensive knowledge of competitor hiring activities and competitive talent acquisition and retention strategies.
- Customized, cost-effective solutions:
When you partner with the right executive search firm, you may save money and precious time. No two companies are alike, and your executive needs may differ wildly from those of another search firm client.
Top firms understand your company’s unique vision, strategies, and executive needs and tailor their searches to ensure potential candidates align with your values.
- Reduction and mitigation of hiring risks:
If you conduct an executive search without the support and partnership of a search firm, you run the risk of hiring the wrong candidates. Ill-matched executives can mean huge financial loss, lowered employee morale, a chaotic workplace culture, and setbacks to your company’s overall progress.
Top executive search firms in NYC have built strong relationships with potential candidates and companies, and use rigorous vetting processes.
Qualities your next executive needs
If your company operates in NYC, a top executive search firm will tailor and focus their searches to ensure industry niche and unique needs are met by any candidates they connect to you. However, there are also general qualities and talents vital to any executive you may hire.
Top executive search firms will look for the right candidates for C-suite roles who possess the following qualities:
- Ability and actionable plan to positively impact company culture
- Strategic approach to business and financial plans
- Ability to inspire and motivate employees
- Open and honest communication with employees, board members, and shareholders alike
- Proven track record of forward-thinking results
- Innovative leadership
- Passion for work that matters
- Visionary ideas and the ability to effectively convey these ideas
- Alignment with company mission, vision, and values
- Established record of effective employee training and development
Top 10 NYC executive search firms
In the greater New York City metropolitan area, there are countless firms that offer executive search services. Nevertheless, many do not meet the standards we’ve listed above.
The executive search firms included on our Top 10 list either have offices in NYC or offer nationwide and global services. These firms have extensive access to the C-suite NYC executive talent base and established relationships with New York City clients — from family-owned companies to large corporations.
Y Scouts
Y Scouts is a purpose-based, performance-proven leadership search and development firm focused on transforming how people and organizations connect to work that matters. We’re proud to stand as a top NYC executive search firm and are passionate about helping our clients find candidates who can further their vision.
Y Scouts works with companies across multiple industries, and we understand the unique executive needs of numerous sectors along with the nuanced dynamics of critical leadership roles.
As a small but mighty boutique firm, we are committed to positively contributing to the social and environmental impact of NYC organizations. Our purpose-driven philosophy allows us to connect our clients with only the highest caliber, innovative leadership candidates. We’ve also established the Y Scouts Leadership Hub to grow our community of emerging and purpose-based leaders.
Battalia Winston
Headquartered in New York City, Battalia Winston is an international executive search firm that has provided global access to executive talent for over 57 years. The firm is one of the 12 largest to offer executive search services in the U.S.
The firm collaborates with its clients and conducts deep, wide-ranging searches to find the right C-suite candidates. Battalia Wilson has U.S. offices in NYC, Chicago, Boston, Woodbridge, New Jersey, and Washington D.C. The executive search team counts startups, consulting firms, financial institutions, and Fortune 500 companies among their clients.
Bert Davis Executive Search
Bert Davis Executive Search is an executive search firm with almost 50 years as an industry leader. The firm is also headquartered in New York City and specializes in international C-suite executive searches for candidates who spearhead progress in content and technology.
The firm recently partnered with another executive search giant, Stephen-Bradford Search to pool resources and greatly expand its network. Bert Davis specializes in executive recruitment for educational technology, nonprofit organizations, publishing, and the consumer/hospitality/retail industries.
Catalyst Advisors
With offices in both New York City and Los Angeles, Catalyst Advisors has an extensive global reach and specializes in partnering with companies that are passionate about using scientific innovation to improve lives.
The firm focuses on executive searches for companies in the life sciences and medical sectors and acts as client advisors when discovering potential candidate matches. The global team at Catalyst Advisors is composed of leading executive recruiters and recruiters with decades of experience in the life sciences sector.
Cowen Partners Executive Search
Although Cowen Partners Executive Search operates in New York City, the firm has a national reach and is nationally ranked as a leader in the executive search industry.
Cowen Partners operates from a foundation of 5 core values: commitment, confidentiality, diversity, ethics, and professionalism. The firm specializes in connecting executives with high-revenue financial institutions, enterprise software companies, nonprofits, private, public, and pre-IPO companies.
DRG Talent Consulting Experts
Integrity, diversity, compassion, and a desire to help clients positively impact the world drive the operations of DRG Talent, a top executive search firm with headquarters in New York City.
The firm works exclusively with the nuanced executive searches of the nonprofit sector. They focus on a thorough understanding of the vision, strategies, and culture of their clients to tailor executive searches and increase the chances of talent acquisition and retention.
Ellig Group
The Ellig Group executive search firm is a leading boutique firm headquartered in New York City that also offers leadership development, post-placement coaching, and advisory services. The women-owned and operated, purpose-driven firm enjoys a global reach which enables them to access international talent networks that include high-caliber executive candidates.
Eliig Group has been in business for over 45 years, is committed to philanthropy, and partners with high-profile clients to bring diversity, inclusion, and innovative leadership to companies around the world.
Egon Zehnder
International executive search firm Egon Zhender was established over 47 years ago and operates its largest office in New York City. With an extensive global reach, the firm employs a team of 150 expert recruiters to work with both clients and potential candidates in NYC and beyond.
Egon Zehnder works with clients across multiple industries, including digital media, financial services, healthcare, luxury retail, and private equity. The firm’s mission is to discover and help develop better leaders worldwide.
Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry is one of the largest executive search firms on our list. As an industry leader for over 50 years, the firm enjoys an extensive global reach and partners with an extensive network of clients in multiple industries.
Korn Ferry’s midtown NYC offices serve as the firm’s Northeast U.S. hub and specialize in executive recruitment and headhunting for companies in need of C-suite executive talent.
Slayton Search Partners
Although Slayton Search Partners is headquartered in Chicago, with almost 40 years in business, Slayton Search has developed relationships with clients in every major U.S. metropolitan hub. The firm also frequently partners with clients in New York City.
Slayton Search Partners employs a team of expert C-suite candidate recruiters in multiple sectors, and tailors every search for the client experience. The firm bases its executive search methods on five foundational pillars: Candidate experience, performance, insight, sophistication, and tech-enabled collaboration.
Connect with Y Scouts
New York City is ripe with high-caliber executive talent. However, finding and acquiring the right talent for your company’s needs can prove challenging without the help of a top NYC executive search firm.
80 to 90 percent of Fortune 250 companies use a corporate headhunter or a recruiter when searching for executive leaders, and your company shouldn’t get left behind.
Partnering with a top executive search firm isn’t just a strategic advantage — it may be the key to your successful retention of innovative, forward-thinking, and purpose-driven leadership. Each of the top firms in NYC can support you in your search, but Y Scouts still stands out among the competition.
We look for candidates who have an insatiable hunger for growth, knowledge, and success. Our mission is to connect organizations with the right candidates to work that matters— purpose-based work with the potential to positively transform your company and the communities that you serve.
We pride ourselves on the successful searches we’ve produced for our clients, and we provide customized solutions for companies and candidates in New York City. Connect with Y Scouts today to find the perfect leaders to join your organization.