Retained search is a recruiting model where a company engages a search firm on an exclusive, dedicated basis to fill a specific role, typically paying a portion of the fee upfront. Unlike contingency recruiting, retained search prioritizes depth, discretion, and dedicated resources, making it ideal for executive, leadership, and highly specialized roles where the talent pool is small and the cost of a wrong hire is high.

Contingency recruiting is paid only when a candidate is placed, and firms often work many roles at once. Retained search is an exclusive, dedicated engagement with a portion of the fee paid upfront, so the search firm commits focused resources to your role. Retained search offers deeper market mapping, greater confidentiality, and higher accountability, which suits critical or hard-to-fill positions.

Retained search is the right fit for executive and leadership roles, highly specialized or technical positions, confidential searches, and roles where the qualified candidate pool is small. If a hire will significantly affect your company's strategy, revenue, or organizational structure, a dedicated retained approach helps ensure it's done with the depth and discretion the role requires.

Retained search fees are typically structured as a percentage of the role's first-year compensation, paid in phases tied to search milestones rather than only at placement. This model reflects the dedicated resources, market mapping, and depth a retained engagement requires. The Offer Club discusses fee structure transparently during an initial search consultation.