Critical Hire Search With a 12-Month Guarantee
We deliver search for the roles that drive your business forward. Senior specialists and critical leader hires. One focused partner. One proven process. One guarantee: the right hire, first time.
97%
right-hire, first-time
12
month guarantees
95%
offer acceptance
Critical hire search globally 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 Search is built for companies facing
these challenges
You've got a critical role that can't afford to fail
This isn’t a “nice to have” hire. It’s a plant manager, a head of engineering, a commercial director, someone who moves the needle. You need certainty, not a candidate profile lottery.
Multi-agency contingent isn't delivering
You’ve briefed multiple agencies. You’re drowning in candidates. None of them fit. You need a partner who takes ownership of the search, not one competing with five others to send CVs first.
You need specialist talent your internal team can't reach
The best candidates aren’t on job boards. You need forensic sourcing, global reach, and someone who can engage passive talent in niche markets, and sell your opportunity properly.
What makes SD Search different
Exclusive search with the rigour
critical hires deserve
Most recruitment is transactional – send candidates, hope one sticks, move on. We take ownership of the outcome. One partner. One search. One guarantee.
Exclusive, focused, accountable
We work exclusively on every search. That means one partner fully committed to your role — not five agencies racing to send CVs first. You get focus, not noise.
Milestone-based, not hope-based
Our process is structured around milestones — scoping, shortlist delivery, placement. You see progress. We stay accountable. No disappearing acts, no excuses.
Guaranteed outcomes, not just activity
Every placement is backed by a 12-month guarantee. If it doesn’t work out, we fix it. That’s the confidence that comes from a process that works 97% of the time.
A structured process that delivers
the right hire first time
Our 6S methodology ensures every critical hire search is rigorous, transparent, and built to deliver — not just candidates, but the right candidate.
01
Scoping
We start by understanding what success looks like — not just the job spec. Role context, team dynamics, cultural fit, hiring manager expectations. Alignment before action.
02
Scorecarding
We build a scorecard that defines “great” for this role. Technical skills, behavioural competencies, motivational fit. Every candidate is assessed against criteria that actually matter.
03
Sourcing
Global reach, forensic targeting. We identify and engage candidates who aren’t actively looking — through networks, research, and direct outreach across 60+ countries.
04
Selecting
Structured interviews, competency assessment, thorough referencing. Every candidate on your shortlist has been rigorously evaluated — you’re choosing between good options, not filtering out bad ones.
05
Securing
We don’t just present candidates — we help close them. Using our 6F methodology, we map candidate motivations and manage the offer process to reduce drop-off and counter-offer risk.
06
Satisfying
The search doesn’t end at offer acceptance. We stay close through onboarding, check in regularly, and remain accountable for 12 months. Your success is our success.
Critical hire results that
speak for themselves
Search Client A
Role open for 2 years. Filled in 2 months using our scorecard methodology.
Search Client B
Multiple failed searches with other agencies. Successful placement from first shortlist.
Search Client C
Hard-to-fill engineering leadership role. Candidate sourced from adjacent sector, still in post three years later.
We deliver critical hire 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 critical hire search is
what you need?
We offer three models – all backed by the same methodology and guarantees. Here’s how they compare.
Exclusive & Retained
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 critical hire
with confidence?
Let’s talk about the role you’re trying to fill. We’ll show you how we approach critical hiring differently — and why 97% of our clients hire from the first shortlist.