Executive Hiring
with Certainty
The Smarter Way to Secure World-Class Leadership
Hiring the right leader isn’t just a decision – it’s a strategic move that shapes the future of your business. Yet, traditional executive search often fails to deliver, relying on slow, outdated processes, long timelines, and restrictive contracts. This frequently results in high-cost, high-risk hires for companies.
A Smarter Approach
to Executive Hiring
25 years of global
hiring experience
Led by Solutions Driven CEO Gavin Speirs – an industry expert with over 25 years of global hiring experience – SD Exec delivers a new standard in executive search.
Reduce hiring risk and
accelerate time-to-hire
With a structured, data-backed approach, we reduce hiring risk, accelerate time-to-hire, and ensure long-term success.
40% faster than traditional
search companies
SD Exec delivers high-impact leaders up to 40% faster than traditional search companies. We don’t just fill roles – we secure leaders who drive lasting success.
Traditional Executive
Search vs. SD Exec
Payment Structure
TRADITIONAL EXEC SEARCH
Fees upfront (Retained)
SD EXEC
Milestone-based (Post-Delivery)
Time to Hire
TRADITIONAL EXEC SEARCH
6–10 weeks
SD EXEC
4–5 weeks with defined process
Hiring Guarantee
TRADITIONAL EXEC SEARCH
6-month limited clauses
SD EXEC
18-month, no questions asked
Fees
TRADITIONAL EXEC SEARCH
Inflated (30%+ of salary, bonuses)
SD EXEC
25% of base + 1st year earnings, no hidden costs
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Commitment to Fill
TRADITIONAL EXEC SEARCH
Focus on securing roles to bill fees.
SD EXEC
Equally committed to winning and filling the role.
Search Ownership
TRADITIONAL EXEC SEARCH
Senior partner sells, then hands off execution.
SD EXEC
Lead is hands-on throughout the entire process, working closely with the team.
Transparency & Accountability
TRADITIONAL EXEC SEARCH
Vague processes, no data sharing.
SD EXEC
Transparent, real-time data on progress, engagement and results.
Methodology
TRADITIONAL EXEC SEARCH
Relies on old networks and connections.
SD EXEC
Proven 6S process with 97% first-time success.
Ongoing Coaching & Support
TRADITIONAL EXEC SEARCH
Onboarding support is an expensive add-on.
SD EXEC
Mentorship and coaching provided for as long as needed.
Network
TRADITIONAL EXEC SEARCH
Recycles candidates from past searches.
SD EXEC
Fresh search for every role, no quick wins. We never re-use a candidate for a quick win.
Internal Candidate Management
TRADITIONAL EXEC SEARCH
Internal hires discouraged to justify fees.
SD EXEC
Transparent internal candidate charter ensuring fairness and ongoing support, whether the candidate is successful or not.
Traditional Executive
Search vs. SD Exec
Service Approach
Traditional Exec Search
Payment Structure
Fees charged before work is done (Retained).
Fees charged on milestones (Post-Delivery)
Time to Hire
Prolonged 6-10 week search to justify fees.
C-Level hires in 4-5 weeks with a defined process.
Hiring Guarantee
Avoids refund/rebate clauses; typically 6 months.
18-month guarantee, no questions asked.
Fees
Inflated fees (30%+) based on salary, bonuses and many other factors.
25% based on base + 1st year guaranteed earnings. No hidden costs.
Commitment to Fill
Focus on securing roles to bill fees.
Equally committed to winning and filling the role.
Search Ownership
Senior partner sells, then hands off execution.
Lead is hands-on throughout the entire process, working closely with the team.
Transparency & Accountability
Vague processes, no data sharing.
Transparent, real-time data on progress, engagement and results.
Methodology
Relies on old networks and connections.
Proven 6S process with 97% first-time success.
Ongoing Coaching & Support
Onboarding support is an expensive add-on.
Mentorship and coaching provided for as long as needed.
Network
Recycles candidates from past searches.
Fresh search for every role, no quick wins. We never re-use a candidate for a quick win.
Internal Candidate Management
Internal hires discouraged to justify fees.
Transparent internal candidate charter ensuring fairness and ongoing support, whether the candidate is successful or not.
Guaranteed Success
Because Executive Hiring
Shouldn’t Be a Gamble
Guaranteed Success Because Executive Hiring Shouldn’t Be a Gamble
Most executive search firms walk away after placement. We stay invested. Every SD Exec hire comes with:
An 18-Month
Guarantee
If a hire doesn’t work out, we replace them—free of charge.
Onboarding &
Integration Support
Ensuring your new leader delivers impact from day one.
Leadership
Coaching
Ongoing mentorship and coaching is provided at no additional costs.
“Since 1998, our purpose has been to help companies make the right hire first time, by providing a hiring solution that is backed by hiring intelligence. This is what makes us More Than A Hiring Partner.”
Gavin Speirs,
CEO SolutionsDriven
The 6S Process: Precision Hiring, Every Time
The 6S Process:
Precision Hiring, Every Time
How We Deliver Smarter Executive Hiring
SD Exec is built on our proven 6S Process – eliminating uncertainty and ensuring every executive hire is the right fit. Designed with clear, pre-defined milestones, this structured approach provides measurable success at every stage, delivering leaders who drive real business impact.
The 6F Leadership Methodology
More Than a Match,
a Long-Term Fit
Your leadership team is only successful if they thrive in your organisation. That’s why our 6F Methodology goes beyond skills and experience.
resources
The CEO's Guide to Building High Performing Leadership Teams.
The Smarter Way to Secure World-Class Leadership
What our Clients Say
“The Solutions Driven team, from exec management to frontline recruitment consultants, are fully committed to our businesspartnership. The results delivered improve hire after hire as our partnership continues to bed in. Thanks!”
Colin van Exel
Vice President, Sales, Ocean Insight
“We are 200% satisfied with the competent service provided by the whole Solutions Driven team – from Scoping call to invoicing. They managed to fill our position within 2 months!”
Thank you & looking forward to further recruitings together!”
Veronika Höger
HR Manager, Sanmina SCI Germany GmbH
“The process Solutions Driven uses to source potential candidates is one of the best I have ever been exposed to.
They continually find high quality candidates that fit the Ocean sales team’s requirements and culture. Excellent partners!”
Ally Agee,
Former Recruitment Operations
Manager, Aktana
“Solutions Driven has really added value to our talent acquisition process. Their team’s in-depth processes, consistent communication, and use of data and intelligence have allowed us to optimise our hiring and place a large number of candidates in various functions and locations. They have been — and continue to be — a true partner to Stratasys.”
Matt Pryor
Head of Global Talent Acquisition, Stratasys
“One of the differentiators about Solutions Driven is they really help you scope out the role, but not just the functional requirements. They really do a great job of helping develop the personal profile of the individual you’re looking for.”
Rob Barcik
President, Firetrace