Professional Search India

Professional search — also known as executive search or headhunting — is a structured, specialist approach to sourcing senior-level, leadership, and hard-to-fill roles. Unlike contingency recruitment where multiple agencies compete for the same mandate, professional search is typically an exclusive engagement where the firm dedicates full resources to mapping the market, approaching passive candidates not actively job-seeking, and delivering a curated shortlist. It is the standard method globally for CXO, VP, Director, and functional head appointments.

Executive search fees in India are structured as a percentage of the placed candidate's annual Cost to Company (CTC). Atlass Partners uses a transparent band-based fee model — fees start at 7.5% for Band 1 roles (up to ₹50L CTC) and scale with seniority and total compensation, reflecting the depth of search required. Retainer components apply at CXO level. Use our fee calculator above for an instant estimate based on your specific role and salary band.

In contingency recruitment, the agency is paid only when a candidate is placed and often competes with multiple firms on the same role. In retained search, the client engages a single firm with an upfront retainer, securing exclusive, focused attention on the mandate. Retained search enables deeper market mapping, structured approach of passive candidates, and a higher-quality process overall. It is the global standard for senior and executive appointments. Atlass Partners operates both retained and hybrid engagement models.

A well-run executive search in India typically takes 6–12 weeks from kick-off to offer acceptance, depending on role seniority and candidate scarcity. CXO searches and highly specialised functional roles may take 12–20 weeks. Our process includes role scoping (Week 1), market mapping (Weeks 2–4), candidate engagement and assessment (Weeks 3–8), shortlist presentation, client interviews, and offer management — with structured communication at every stage.

We focus on senior, leadership, and specialist roles including CXO and board-level positions, VP and Director appointments, functional heads across Finance, Technology, Operations, HR, and Sales, GCC leadership and global capability centre buildouts, and specialist roles in FinTech, SaaS, AI, Healthcare, and Consulting sectors. We do not operate as a volume or junior recruitment agency.

Yes. A significant portion of our professional search mandates are on behalf of international companies building or scaling teams in India — including US-headquartered technology companies, European MNCs, GCCs, and VC-backed global startups. We understand the nuance of cross-cultural hiring, can work across time zones, and serve as a single accountable partner for India leadership search from anywhere in the world.

We offer a structured replacement guarantee on all confirmed placements. If a placed candidate exits the role within the agreed guarantee period — typically 90 days — we re-engage on the search at no additional retainer. Specific guarantee terms are defined per engagement and vary based on role level and engagement structure.

Confidential searches — including situations where the incumbent is still in post — are handled with full discretion. Candidate outreach is conducted without naming the client until mutual interest is established. We manage information compartmentalisation carefully, conduct all introductions through secure channels, and do not disclose the mandate publicly or to third parties. This is standard practice for board and CXO-level transitions.

A retainer is an upfront payment made to the search firm to secure exclusive commitment to the mandate. Typically structured in two or three tranches — at engagement, shortlist delivery, and placement — retainers align the firm's incentives with delivery milestones. The retainer is credited against the final placement fee. Atlass Partners offers fully retained and partially retained engagement models depending on role complexity and client preference.

Our professional search practice has deep networks across Technology & SaaS, FinTech & Banking, AI & Data, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Business Consulting, GCCs (Global Capability Centres), and Industrial & Manufacturing sectors. We are active across major Indian metros including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, and Pune, and handle cross-border search mandates for India-based roles on behalf of international clients globally.