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Retained Executive Search

Finding Leaders Who Drive Results

At Red Wolf Partners, Retained Executive Search is our flagship service and the foundation of our business. We partner with organizations to identify, attract, assess, and secure exceptional leadership talent for critical positions that directly impact business performance.

 

Unlike contingent recruiting models, our retained search engagements are exclusive partnerships. We dedicate the time, resources, research, and executive-level attention necessary to deliver a highly qualified slate of candidates who align with your organization’s culture, leadership expectations, and strategic objectives.

We focus on leadership and key strategic hires, including:

  • C-Suite Executives

  • Vice Presidents

  • Directors

  • General Managers

  • Functional Leaders

  • Specialized Technical and Professional Leadership Roles

Our Search Process Includes:

  • Comprehensive intake and position scoping

  • Market mapping and talent identification

  • Direct outreach to passive and active candidates

  • Executive-level candidate assessment and screening

  • Behavioral and leadership evaluation

  • Detailed candidate presentation reports

  • Interview coordination and stakeholder communication

  • Offer strategy and negotiation support

  • Candidate onboarding support through successful placement

Our 5 Phase Approach To Executive Placements

Phase 1: Discovery & Strategy
 

We use the Red Wolf Leadership Alignment Framework™ which is a proprietary structured discovery process designed to identify the critical leadership competencies, business objectives, cultural expectations, and success metrics required for long-term executive success.

 

Before a single candidate is contacted, we work with stakeholders to build a comprehensive leadership success profile that serves as the blueprint for the entire search.

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Phase 2: Research & Market Mapping
 

We develop a strategic search blueprint, identify high-potential talent pools, and produce a thorough market map of qualified executives. Leveraging advanced AI tools and proven sourcing techniques, Red Wolf Partners delivers real-time data and competitive intelligence with exceptional speed and precision. 
 

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Phase 3: Candidate Engagement & Assessment
 

Finding qualified executives is only part of a successful search. The greater challenge is determining whether a candidate possesses the leadership capabilities, cognitive strengths, and behavioral characteristics necessary to succeed within your organization.

 

At Red Wolf Partners, we utilize a multi-dimensional assessment process that evaluates candidates beyond their résumé, helping clients make more informed hiring decisions and reduce leadership hiring risk.

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To supplement interviews and provide objective data, Red Wolf Partners utilizes validated talent assessments through our partnership with  Criteria Corp.

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Criteria’s scientifically validated assessments help evaluate how candidates:

  • Think and solve problems

  • Learn and adapt to new challenges

  • Approach work and decision-making

  • Interact with teams and stakeholders

  • Respond to workplace demands
     

These insights provide an additional layer of confidence and help clients understand a candidate’s potential fit within the organization’s environment and leadership culture.

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Phase 4: Selection & Offer Management
 

We work closely with clients to coordinate interviews, facilitate structured feedback, provide market intelligence, and guide compensation and offer strategy to help secure top talent. We work closely with the client and the selected candidate through offer acceptance, notice period, and onboarding transition to maximize acceptance rates and ensure a smooth path from finalist selection to successful hire.

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Phase 5: Transition Support
 

Our commitment does not end when a candidate accepts an offer. Red Wolf Partners remains engaged throughout the onboarding and transition period to help ensure alignment, facilitate communication, and support a successful integration into the organization. By maintaining contact with both the client and placed executive during the critical early stages of employment, we help identify potential challenges, reinforce expectations, and maximize the likelihood of a long-term, successful placement with our Red Wolf Partners Guarantee. 

Transparent Pricing

We believe executive search firms should be transparent about how they charge for their services.

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Professional Search Fee

Professional fee equal to 25% of first-year annualized base compensation. *Note confidential search will incur an additional fee

For Example​:

Search Fee (25%)

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$37,500

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$50,000

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$62,500

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$75,000

​Annual Base Salary

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$150,000

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$200,000

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$250,000

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$300,000

Search fees are calculated using annualized base salary of accepted offer and do not include bonuses, equity, commissions, or other incentive compensation unless otherwise agreed in writing.

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Payment Schedule

 

Our retained search engagements are billed in three installments:

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1. Engagement Fee – 1/3 of Total Fee

Due upon execution of the search agreement and commencement of the engagement, based upon base salary target.

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2. Candidate Presentation Fee – 1/3 of Total Fee

Due upon presentation of the initial qualified candidate slate.

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3. Placement Fee – Remaining 1/3

Due when the selected candidate accepts the offer and begins employment. If applicable, final invoice will be adjusted with difference of base salary target at start of engagement to base salary of accepted offer. 

 

This structure aligns our efforts with key milestones throughout the search process while ensuring a dedicated and focused search on behalf of our clients.

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