Executive Search With an 18-Month Guarantee
We deliver executive and confidential search for VP to C-suite roles, with the rigour of a top-tier firm and the responsiveness of a true partner.
And an 18-month guarantee that puts real accountability behind every placement.
And an 18-month guarantee that puts real accountability behind every placement.
97%
right-hire, first-time
18
month guarantees
96%
3 year retention
Executive search across industrial, manufacturing, energy, life sciences, and technology
Halma
Ingersoll Rand
Sanmina
Stratasys
Intuitive Surgical
Aktana
Plexus
Cigna
Halma
Ingersoll Rand
Sanmina
Stratasys
Intuitive Surgical
Aktana
Plexus
Cigna
SD Exec is built for companies facing
these challenges
You need a leader who delivers, not just fills a seat
You’ve got a critical leadership gap – VP, C-suite, or board-level. The wrong hire costs you 18 months of lost momentum. You need a partner who finds leaders who actually transform, not just occupy.
You're navigating succession, transformation, or confidential change
Whether it’s planned succession, a turnaround, or a sensitive departure, you need discretion and precision. 45% of our executive searches are confidential, so we know how to handle what’s at stake.
Traditional exec search has let you down
Slow timelines. Opaque processes. Short guarantees. You’ve seen how the big firms operate. You want the rigour without the rigidity and a partner who’s accountable for the outcome, not just the shortlist.
What makes SD Exec different
Executive search with
accountability built in
Most executive search firms deliver candidates and move on. We deliver leaders who perform – and we stand behind every placement for 18 months.
Leadership profiling that goes deeper
We don’t just match candidate profiles to job specs. We profile what leadership success looks like in your context — culture, strategy, team dynamics — and assess candidates against that standard.
Internal candidate benchmarking
If you have internal candidates, we assess them with the same rigour as external hires. You get an objective view of your options — not just the external slate.
Onboarding support that protects your investment
The first 18 months matter. We stay engaged post-placement to support integration, flag early risks, and help ensure your new leader lands well.
A structured process that finds
leaders who last
Our 6S methodology ensures every executive search is rigorous, transparent, and built to deliver the right leader – not just a credible shortlist.
01
Scoping
We define success — not just the role. Leadership context, cultural fit, strategic priorities, and stakeholder alignment. Before we search, we know exactly what great looks like.
02
Scorecarding
We build a leadership scorecard that goes beyond skills and experience. Competencies, motivations, leadership style — so every candidate is assessed against what actually matters.
03
Sourcing
Global reach, forensic targeting. We identify and engage leaders who aren’t actively looking — through networks, research, and direct outreach across 60+ countries.
04
Selecting
Structured interviews, competency assessment, psychometric profiling where needed. Every candidate on your shortlist has been rigorously evaluated — no CV-forwarding.
05
Securing
We don’t just present candidates — we help close them. Candidate motivation mapping (via our 6F methodology), offer negotiation support, and counter-offer management.
06
Satisfying
The search doesn’t end at offer acceptance. We stay close through onboarding, check in at 30/60/90 days, and remain accountable for 18 months.
Executive results that
speak for themselves
Exec Client A
CEO search for defence/aerospace electronics firm. Placed in 8 weeks after previous agency failed to deliver.
Exec Client B
Confidential CFO replacement during transformation. Candidate still in role three years later.
Exec Client C
VP Operations search with internal candidate benchmarking. External hire outperformed expectations.
We deliver executive search
in your sector
Our methodology is consistent. Our market knowledge is specialist. Explore embedded solutions for your industry.
Industrial & Engineering
Manufacturing, automotive, electronics, semiconductors, robotics, defence, aerospace and automation.
Energy & Infrastructure
Oil & gas, power & utilities, renewables, construction, data centre infrastructure, testing & inspection.
Life Sciences & Process Industries
Pharmaceuticals, biotech, medical devices, chemicals, food & beverage, FMCG production and process manufacturing.
Advanced Technologies
IoT, connected devices, software, AI/ML, , SaaS, robotics, automation, sensors, data, analytics, digital transformation and IT services.
Not sure if executive search is
what you need?
We offer three models, all backed by the same methodology and guarantees. Here’s how they compare.
Critical Hire Search
Milestone search with a 12-month guarantee and shortlists delivered in weeks, not months.
Executive Search
VP to C-suite hires that shape your future. Leadership profiling, internal benchmarking, and an 18-month guarantee that traditional exec firms won’t match.
Embedded Recruitment
Dedicated recruiters in your team, running our methodology at scale. Typically 40% more cost-effective than equivalent search volume.
Resources & Insights
Expert perspectives on hiring, talent strategy, and building exceptional teams.
Ready to make your next executive hire
with confidence?
Let’s talk about the role you’re trying to fill. We’ll show you how we approach executive search differently — and why our clients stay with us.