A list of the top New York City Executive recruiters 

In the interest of objectivity and putting a little good karma out there, we’ve compiled a list of executive search firms in NYC, including our competitors.

We understand that we’re not the right search firm for every search every time. No search firm is.

That is why it makes sense for any executive search buyer to develop a short list of retained executive search firms tailored to your company’s needs.

Top Search Firms Lists Advice

As you research the best executive search firms for your company, you need to be careful. Some top search firm lists are not what they appear to be. From what we’ve been able to determine, at least one is a fake ‘top executive search firms‘ website created by one of the search firms listed in the bogus Top 20. 

That “dirty data” — a top search firm that really isn’t considered among the best — appears to have fooled at least one of the more established “best of” lists to include that little-know trickster search firm in its Best Executive Recruiting Firms list.

Credible Search Firms Lists

If you happen to be in the Greater New York City area, the list of search firms below should help give you a good start. We created our list with help from Hunt Scanlon Media’s Top 50 Recruiters and, of course, our personal experience in the industry.

These firms conduct senior-level executive searches in the tristate region of Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York and the Northeast.  While everyone has their favorites, these executive search firms have solid histories of providing searches in New England.

How to Find a Top Executive Search Firm List You Can Trust

Consider the source of your top executive search firm list. If there is no source listed on a top search firm website — if there is no website owner, address, or contact information — beware. If there is a source, weigh the potential bias. Next, follow the money. If the top search firm list provider sells products or services to search firms featured in their best search firm list, that’s a conflict. Everyone has a point of view.

We happen to be a retained executive search firm, one that is positioned as an alternative to traditional executive search practices. Since we advocate for smarter search and recruiting practices and make our feelings known (on this blog and elsewhere), we frequently get asked to share our shortlist insights.

Chief executive officers, board members, and venture capitalists all come to us with the same question. “What are the top executive search firms in NYC in the retained search firm industry?” The answer should be what search firms are right for you. The list below is are the names of search firms that, like ours, have established track records of success in the business. 

Top Executive Search Firms in New York City

(In alphabetical Order)

Acertitude

Consumer; Financial; Health Care; Industrial; Private Equity; Professional Services; Technology; and Telecommunications Businesses.

Bay Street Advisors

Asset Management; Capital Markets; and Corporate and Investment Banking.

Caldwell Partners

Consumer, Retail & e-Commerce; Education, Nonprofit & Government; Financial Services; Industrial; Life Sciences & Healthcare; Private Equity & Venture Capital; Professional Services; and Technology.

Catalyst Advisors

Life Sciences.

Diversified Search Group

Consumer and Retail; Digital Media, Entertainment, and Sports; Education; Energy; Financial Services; Healthcare Services; Industrial; Life Sciences; Nonprofit and Arts & Culture; and Technology.

Egon Zehnder

Consumer; Financial Services; Health; Industrial; Private Equity; Public & Social Sector; Services; and Technology & Communications.

EMA Partners

Consumer & Retail; Energy & Natural Resources; Financial Services; Government & Nonprofit; Healthcare & Life Sciences; Industrial & Manufactoring; and Technology & Communications.

ForceBrands

Beverage Industry; Food industry; Beauty Industry; Cannabis Industry; and Pet Care Industry.

Heidrick & Struggles

Consumer Markets; Education, Nonprofit and Social Enterprise; Energy; Financial Services; Healthcare and Life Sciences; Industrial; Private Equity; Professional Services; and Technology.

Herbert Mines

Korn Ferry

Consumer; Financial; Industrial; Healthcare; Life Sciences; and Technology.

Odgers Berndtson

Business Services | Professional Services; Consumer | Entertainment | Sport; Education; Financial Services; Healthcare & Life Sciences; Industrial; Public & Not For Profit; and Technology.

Options Group

Capital Markets; Global Markets; Alternative Investments; Hedge Funds; Private Banking & Wealth Management; and Technology.

Russell Reynolds

Business and Professional Services; Consumer; Education; Energy; Financial Services; Healthcare; Industrial; Nonprofit; Private Equity; and Technology.

Sheffield Haworth

Consulting, Technology & Services; Corporate; Financial Services; and Real Assets.

Slayton Search Partners

Consumer; Retail; Financial Services; Insurance; Industrial; and Private Equity.

Solomon Page

Clinical Resource Network; Fashion & Beauty; Financial Services; Healthcare & Life Sciences; Hospitality; Media, Education & Publishing; and Specialty Financial Services.

Spencer Stuart

Technology, Media & Telecommunications; Consumer; Financial Services; Industrial; Education, Nonprofit & Government; Private Equity; Healthcare; and Business & Professional Services.

The Good Search
(That’s Us)

Analytics; Artificial Intelligence; Computational Biomedicine; Data Science; Hospitality & Leisure; Internet & Retail; Machine Learning; Software; Technology; and Venture Capital & Private Equity.

True Search

Consumer; Financial; Tech; Healthcare; IT; and Life Sciences.

For more information, check out our post on how to build your own list of top executive search firms.