TOP EXECUTIVE SEARCH FIRMS IN NEW YORK CITY
- TOP EXECUTIVE HEADHUNTERS IN NYC
- Leading NYC Area Executive Recruiters
- Navigating the Polycrisis: The 2026 Guide to NYC Leadership Search
- Why Do We List Our Competitors?
- Top New York City Headhunters
- Acertitude
- Bay Street Advisors
- Caldwell Partners
- Catalyst Advisors
- Diversified Search Group
- Egon Zehnder
- EMA Partners
- ForceBrands
- Heidrick & Struggles
- Herbert Mines
- Odgers Berndtson
- Options Group
- Russell Reynolds
- Sheffield Haworth
- Slayton Search Partners
- Solomon Page
- Spencer Stuart
- The Good Search (That’s Us)
- True Search
- ZRG Partners
- How to Evaluate Executive Recruitment Lists
- Beyond the List: A Framework for Vetting NYC Search Firms
New York Is Where the Best Technology Leaders Are Built
New York City is the most dynamic executive talent market in the world. Home to the highest concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters in the United States, the global capital of fintech and media technology, and a rapidly expanding AI and enterprise software ecosystem, New York produces and attracts the technology leaders who define their industries.
The executives being recruited here — Chief AI Officers, Chief Technology Officers, Chief Information Security Officers, Chief Data Officers — are not just filling roles. They are building the infrastructure of companies that will be unrecognizable in five years. The right hire accelerates everything. The wrong hire costs more than the search.
New York is also where executive search is most competitive. Passive candidates — the leaders not on the market, not responding to job postings, not available through standard channels — are the ones who move companies forward. Finding them requires more than a network. It requires research.
That is what this page is for: a guide to the retained executive search firms operating in the New York City market, including the ones who compete with us. Choose well.
Why Do We List Our Competitors?
At The Good Search, we lead with transparency. No single firm is the perfect fit for every search, and we believe building trust starts with being a helpful resource. While many of the legacy firms below rely on traditional “best practices,” we leverage AI-assisted executive recruiting and permacrisis leadership models. Whether you choose our investigative rigor or the established reach of a global powerhouse, this guide ensures you are evaluating firms based on the needs of the here and now.
Chief executive officers, board members, and venture capitalists all come to us with the same question. “What are the top headhunting companies in NYC in the retained recruiting industry?” The answer should be what headhunters are right for you. The list of NYC headhunters below features executive headhunting companies that, like ours, have established track records of success in the business. We created our list with help from Hunt Scanlon Media’s Top 50 Recruiters and, of course, our personal industry experience.
Top New York City Headhunters
(In alphabetical Order)
Acertitude
Headquartered in New York City, Acertitude focuses on executive search for private equity and portfolio companies. Founded in 2015, the Manhattan firm services clients in the Consumer, Financial, Health Care, Industrial, Private Equity, Professional Services, Technology, and Telecommunications industries.
Bay Street Advisors
Headquartered in New York City, Bay Street Advisors is an independent, privately held partnership that offers executive search services in the financial services industry. Founded in 2009, the firm serves clients across the Asset Management, Capital Markets, and Corporate and Investment Banking sectors.
Caldwell Partners
Though Caldwell Partners is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, and is Canada’s first retained search firm, it also has an office in New York City. Founded in 1970, the firm became a public company in 1989 (TSX: CWL). Consumer, Retail & e-Commerce; Education, Nonprofit & Government; Financial Services; Industrial; Life Sciences & Healthcare; Private Equity & Venture Capital; Professional Services; and Technology.
Catalyst Advisors
Catalyst Advisors is headquartered in New York City, New York, and was founded in 2008. The global executive search firm specializes exclusively in the life sciences sector, focusing on building executive leadership teams and boardrooms. The partner-led firm serves innovative biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device companies.
Daversa
Headquartered in Westport, Connecticut in the Greater New York City Area, Daversa specializes in technology executive search. Founded founded in 1993 by Paul Daversa, the firm recruits for growth and venture-backed companies investing in leading edge technology, including artificial intelligence. Focused on the AI economy, Daversa recruits talent “shaping the future of everything.” The firm is known for placing “Material Impact Executives” across consumer and enterprise markets, working closely with top-tier VC and PE firms.
DSG Global
Though DSG Global is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it has an office in New York City, New York. Founded in 1974, DSG Global was formerly known as Diversified Search Group. It provides recruitment services across the Consumer and Retail, Digital Media, Entertainment, and Sports, Education, Energy, Financial Services, Healthcare Services, Industrial, Life Sciences, Nonprofit and Arts & Culture, and Technology industries.
Egon Zehnder
Egon Zehnder is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, and boasts a global network of 71 offices across 37 countries, including one in New York City, New York. The firm was founded in 1964 by Egon P.S. Zehnder. It is one of the SHREK firms —an acronym for Spencer Stuart, Heidrick & Struggles, Russell Reynolds, Egon Zehnder, and Korn Ferry—the 5 largest multinational retained search firms. Today, it boasts a global network of 71 offices in 37 countries. It offers recruitment across the Consumer, Financial Services, Health, Industrial, Private Equity, Public & Social Sector, Services, and Technology & Communications industries.
EMA Partners
Though EMA Partners is headquartered in London, England, it has an office in New York City, New York. Founded in 1988, the firm serves local and international businesses across all industry sectors, including Consumer & Retail, Energy & Natural Resources, Financial Services, Government & Nonprofit, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Industrial & Manufacturing, and Technology & Communications.
ForceBrands
ForceBrands is headquartered in New York City, New York, and was founded in 2007. The firm operates specialized divisions, including BevForce, FoodForce, and BeautyForce, that provide executive search and job board services across the Beverage, Food, Beauty, and pet care industries.
Heidrick & Struggles
Heidrick & Struggles is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and has 50 offices, including one in New York City, New York. Founded in 1953 by Gardner Heidrick and John Struggles, it is a SHREK firm—an acronym for Spencer Stuart, Heidrick & Struggles, Russell Reynolds, Egon Zehnder, and Korn Ferry—the 5 largest multinational retained search firms. The firm offers executive search across the Consumer, Education, Nonprofit and Social Enterprise, Energy, Financial Services, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Industrial, Private Equity, Professional Services, and Technology industries.
Herbert Mines Associates
Herbert Mines Associates is headquartered in New York City, New York. Founded in 1978 by Herb Mines, the executive search firm focuses exclusively on consumer-driven businesses, including retail, consumer products, fashion/apparel, digital/e-commerce, hospitality, foodservice, and the private equity firms that invest in these businesses.
JM Search
Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, JM Search offices also include New York City. Founded in 1980 by John Marshal, JM Search focuses on recruting for PE-backed portfolio companies. Their Information Technology & AI Executive Search practice delivers CIOs, CTOs, IT, and AI executives who drive business transformation.
Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry (NYSE: KFY) is headquartered in Los Angeles with 100 offices worldwide, including New York City, New York. The firm was founded in 1969 by Lester Korn and Richard Ferry and is one of the SHREK firms—an acronym for Spencer Stuart, Heidrick & Struggles, Russell Reynolds, Egon Zehnder, and Korn Ferry—the 5 largest multinational retained search firms. It describes itself as part organizational consultancy, part executive search firm.
Odgers
Odgers is headquartered in London, England, changing its name from Odgers Berndtson in 2025. The firm has some 59 offices in 33 countries, including its US headquarters in New York City, New York. Founded in 1965, the firm serves clients in the Business Services, Professional Services, Consumer, Entertainment, Education, Financial Services, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Industrial, Public & Not-for-Profit, and Technology industries.
Options Group
Options Group is a global executive search and strategic consulting firm headquartered in New York City, New York. Founded in 1992 by Michael Karp and Bob Reed, the firm specializes in talent acquisition for the financial services and technology industries, including Capital Markets, Global Markets, Alternative Investments, Hedge Funds, Private Banking & Wealth Management, and Technology.
Russell Reynolds Associates
Russell Reynolds Associates is headquartered in New York City, New York. Founded in 1969, it is a SHREK firm—an acronym for Spencer Stuart, Heidrick & Struggles, Russell Reynolds, Egon Zehnder, and Korn Ferry—the 5 largest multinational retained search firms. It operates globally, specializing in executive search, leadership assessment, and succession planning, with a significant presence at its Stamford, Connecticut office. It serves clients in the Business and Professional Services, Consumer, Education, Energy, Financial Services, Healthcare, Industrial, Nonprofit, Private Equity, and Technology industries.
Sheffield Haworth
Sheffield Haworth is a global executive search and human capital consultancy headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with North America headquarters in New York City, New York. Founded in 1993, the firm operates worldwide, serving clients in financial services, insurance, consulting, and technology sectors.
Solomon Page
Solomon Page is headquartered in New York City, New York, with offices across the United States. Founded in 1990 by Lloyd Solomon and Scott Page, the Manhattan-based specialized staffing and executive search firm offers services in C-suite recruitment, contract placements, and permanent placements. The firm specializes in industries such as Finance, Healthcare, Technology, and Fashion.
Spencer Stuart
Spencer Stuart is a retained executive search firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with 60 offices, including one in New York City, New York. Founded in 1956 by Spencer R. Stuart, it is a SHREK firm—an acronym for Spencer Stuart, Heidrick & Struggles, Russell Reynolds, Egon Zehnder, and Korn Ferry—the 5 largest multinational retained search firms. It is the world’s largest privately held search firm, known for its CEO searches.
The Good Search (That’s Us)
The Good Search (That’s Us) is a retained executive search firm in Westport, Connecticut, in the Greater New York City Area. Powered by Intellerati, its AI research lab, the firm recruits board and C-level technology leaders — CAIOs, CTOs, CIOs, CISOs, and CDOs — for VC-backed startups, tech-for-good nonprofits, and the Fortune 500. The firm searches differently by design: 24/7 transparency, no conflicts of interest, and an investigative approach for candidates you never dreamed existed. WBENC-certified Women’s Business Enterprise.
True Search
True Search is the executive search division of True, an executive talent management platform headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with offices that include New York City, New York. Founded in 2012, the firm recruits board members, C-suite executives, VPs, directors, and other strategic talent. It focuses on investment firms, their portfolio companies, and public companies seeking transformative growth.
ZRG Partners
ZRG Partners is headquartered in Rochelle Park, New Jersey, in the Greater NYC area. Founded in 1999, the firm has grown by acquiring search firms in high-growth recruiting verticals in sports, higher education, life sciences, and real estate, and has also expanded into the RPO market, the leadership assessment space, culture consulting, and interim solutions.
How to Evaluate Executive Recruitment Lists
As you research NYC executive recruitment agencies, exercise caution. Many “Top 10” lists are pay-to-play or owned by the firms they feature. In 2026, “dirty data”—unverified or biased rankings—is rampant. As you review other lists of top executive search firms, we suggest that you exercise caution:
- Beware of Fake Sites: At least one list of purported top executive search firms is completely bogus. An executive headhunting firm created the site and then listed itself as one of the top 5 firms without disclosing its ownership of the site.
- Verify Ownership: If a list doesn’t disclose its owner or contact information, it is likely a lead-generation tool for a single firm.
- Follow the Money: Check whether the list provider sells “memberships” or advertising to the firms it ranks. If so, it represents a fundamental conflict of interest.
For a deeper dive into which rankings you can actually bank on, see our guide on What Top Executive Headhunter Lists Can You Trust?
Beyond the List: A Framework for Vetting NYC Search Firms
A list of names is only the starting point. In 2026, the primary challenge for a Board or CEO isn’t finding a firm with “access”—it’s finding a partner who understands that the leadership mandate has been fundamentally rewritten. To move from a broad list to a strategic shortlist of search firms, companies would be well-advised to set a higher bar for both the leadership talent and the search firm that represents their brand. You can quickly determine whether an executive search firm is prepared by examining its strategic positioning. Use this simple framework to vet the firms on this list:
- Audit Their Insights: Does the firm’s website reflect an understanding of this moment in history with all of its existential risks and unfolding opportunities? If they are still using the pre-AI, pre-polycrisis playbooks of the 2010s, they are unlikely to identify the resilient leaders you need.
- Verify Their Methodology: Look for evidence of investigative rigor. Are they relying on a legacy database (likely filled with “dirty data”), or are they using AI-assisted recruiting to identify true strategic signals?
- Assess the “Leadership Bar”: A search firm should understand the existential demands on leadership today, given global volatility, political strife, and economic turmoil. They must recognize the opportunities amid all that noise. If a firm cannot articulate the specific mettle required for an executive to lead through the polycrisis, they won’t be able to vet your candidates effectively.
FAQs | Top NYC Executive Search Firms
Retained executive search firms are engaged exclusively and paid to do the work of recruiting, regardless of outcome. The firm’s full attention and resources are committed to a single client for each search. Contingency firms are paid only if a candidate accepts an offer. For C-suite and board-level roles, retained search is the industry standard — it ensures the search firm is working on your behalf, not racing to fill a role for whoever responds first.
Technology executive search firms maintain deep networks within specific technical disciplines — CTO, CIO, CISO, CAIO, CDO — and understand the nuances of assessing technical leadership candidates. Generalist firms recruit across all functions and may lack the depth to evaluate whether a candidate’s technical background matches the strategic demands of the role. For C-suite technology roles, specialization matters.
Ask how the firm sources candidates beyond their existing network — passive candidates who aren’t responding to job postings are often the strongest. Ask whether they have off-limits conflicts that prevent them from recruiting at organizations they’ve previously served. Ask about their research methodology, their specialization in your industry and function, and whether they will provide transparency into search progress throughout the engagement.
Most retained C-suite searches take 90 to 120 days from engagement to offer acceptance. Timeline depends on role complexity, market availability of qualified candidates, how quickly the client can schedule interviews, and the number of decision-makers involved in final selection. Searches for emerging roles — Chief AI Officer, Chief Data Officer — may take longer given the relatively small candidate pool.
Several firms listed on this page specialize in technology leadership search, including The Good Search, Riviera Partners, JM Search, and Daversa Partners. The SHREK firms — Spencer Stuart, Heidrick & Struggles, Russell Reynolds, Egon Zehnder, and Korn Ferry — all have significant New York City offices and active technology practice areas. The right firm depends on the specific role, the industry, and whether you need a technology specialist or a generalist with a technology practice.
AI leadership search is one of the fastest-growing specializations in executive search, and one of the least well-defined. The role of Chief AI Officer varies enormously — from a research-focused role at a technology company to an enterprise transformation role at a Fortune 500. Before engaging any search firm, ask them to describe the specific AI leadership roles they’ve worked on and what that candidate market actually looks like. The Good Search brings AI literacy, investigative research methodology, and deep C-suite technology experience to AI leadership search — including work with the Lieber Institute for Brain Research on a CAIO search and senior leadership succession at Microsoft.
Find Your Next Executive
No search firm is right for every search every time. Yet we appreciate your interest and make it a practice to listen and to help, regardless.