Benson Executive Search
Benson Executive Search is a privately held, boutique retained executive search firm founded in 2017 that specializes exclusively in placing HR leadership talent — including CHROs, CPOs, and senior HR executives — for organizations across the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersWaltham, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Benson Executive Search does
Benson Executive Search is a privately held, boutique retained executive search firm founded in 2017 by Alice K. Benson and headquartered at 400 5th Avenue, Suite 130, Waltham, Massachusetts. The firm specializes exclusively in placing HR leadership talent — including Chief Human Resources Officers (CHRO), Chief People Officers (CPO), Chief Diversity Officers, Vice Presidents and Directors of HR, and senior HR Business Partners across Total Rewards, Compensation, Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, and Learning & Development — for organizations across the United States. Its stated approach emphasizes in-person candidate meetings, cultural fit analysis, and a "perfect fit" guarantee, with reported metrics of over 85% of business from repeat clients or referrals, 98% placement retention beyond two years, and a stated record of never having failed to fill a position or walked away from a search. Named customers span life sciences (Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, BlueRock Therapeutics, Immunovant), healthcare (Boston Medical Center, Tufts Medical Center, Amwell, Pharmavite), technology (Teradyne, SharkNinja, Mimecast), banking (Eastern Bank, Cambridge Savings Bank), and education (Boston University).
The firm operates a project-based professional services revenue model, generating income through retained search engagement fees typically structured as a percentage of the placed candidate's first-year compensation, with an upfront retainer followed by success-based fees. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales: client engagements are initiated through personal relationships, founder and leadership networks, referrals, and inbound from content marketing channels including the company's website blog, LinkedIn presence, monthly TalentMatters newsletter (published since 2021), and active participation in HR industry events such as the HRLF Ignite conference, Transform, and BioNJ's Annual HR Conference. There is no proprietary technology platform; the offering is built on the leadership team's network, methodology, and high-touch service. The team comprises approximately 12 people including Founder and CEO Alice K. Benson, Managing Director Bob McCarthy, Senior Recruiters, an HR Lead, and a Data Analyst.
In June 2026 the firm announced a partnership with Buffkin/Baker, a national retained executive search firm, intended to broaden geographic reach while preserving the Benson brand, team, and client commitments. The firm is privately held and founder-owned, with no institutional investment, private equity backing, or public listing identified. Its primary geographic concentration is the US Northeast, with stated expansion into Texas, California, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Kansas, and active involvement in the Human Resources Leadership Forum (HRLF) where Alice Benson holds a board seat and Bob McCarthy chairs the Leadership Development Program Committee.
Benson Executive Search firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Benson Executive Search
- Legal name
- Benson Executive Search
- Website
- https://bensonsearch.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Benson Executive Search is a privately held, boutique retained executive search firm founded in 2017 that specializes exclusively in placing HR leadership talent — including CHROs, CPOs, and senior HR executives — for organizations across the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Benson Executive Search industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Executive Search Services
- NAICS
- Executive Search Services (561312), Employment Placement Agencies and Executive Search Services (56131)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Functional Leadership Search (HR/Finance/Legal/Marketing/Sales/Ops) (BPACAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA), Healthcare & Life Sciences Leadership Search (BPACAAAE)
Keywords
Where Benson Executive Search is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Waltham
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Benson Executive Search business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Retained Executive Search Fees: The firm operates as a retained executive search firm, placing HR leadership talent for client organizations. Revenue is generated through retained search engagement fees, typically a percentage of the placed candidate's first-year compensation. This is a project/placement-based revenue model rather than recurring subscriptions.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Benson Executive Search product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Benson Executive Search is a retained executive search firm that identifies and places HR leadership talent for client organizations. The firm specializes in sourcing Chief Human Resources Officers, Chief People Officers, Chief Diversity Officers, DE&I leaders, Vice Presidents and Directors of HR, Total Rewards, Compensation, Senior HR Business Partners, Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, and Learning & Development roles. Engagements are project-based, with the firm personally meeting every candidate and focusing on cultural fit and alignment with organizational goals.
Product overview
Benson Executive Search operates as a retained HR executive search firm providing specialized placement services for HR leadership talent. The firm identifies and places HR leaders including CHROs, CPOs, Chief Diversity Officers, DE&I executives, and senior HR professionals across disciplines such as Total Rewards, Compensation, Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, and Learning & Development. The company leverages a strategic retained search process focused on cultural fit and organizational alignment, with a reported 98 percent placement retention rate beyond two years and over 85 percent of business from repeat clients or referrals.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- HR Executive Search Services Retained executive search and placement services for HR leadership talent, including Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs), Chief People Officers (CPOs), Chief Diversity Officers, DE&I leaders, Vice Presidents and Directors of HR, Total Rewards, Compensation, Senior HR Business Partners, Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, and Learning & Development roles. The firm engages with organizations across the United States to identify and place HR leaders aligned with their culture and workforce strategy.
Quantifiable outcome
- 98% of placed candidates remain with their organizations beyond two years
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Benson Executive Search
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Benson Executive Search technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Benson Executive Search partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Northeast HR AssociationminorBenson Executive Search is listed as a proud supporter of the Northeast HR Association, a regional organization serving HR professionals in the northeastern United States.
- Human Resources Leadership Forum (HRLF)coreActive member and supporter of HRLF. Team members participate in HRLF events including the Leadership Awards and HRLF Ignite conference. Alice Benson serves as a board member. Bob McCarthy chairs the Leadership Development Program Committee.
- International Institute of New EnglandminorBenson Executive Search is listed as a proud supporter of the International Institute of New England, a nonprofit providing refugee resettlement services.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Benson Executive Search competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Benson Executive Search social profiles
Digital presenceBenson Executive Search financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Benson Executive Search leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Benson Executive Search funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Benson Executive Search M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Benson Executive Search
What does Benson Executive Search do?
Benson Executive Search is a retained executive search firm that identifies and places HR leadership talent for client organizations. The firm specializes in sourcing Chief Human Resources Officers, Chief People Officers, Chief Diversity Officers, DE&I leaders, Vice Presidents and Directors of HR, Total Rewards, Compensation, Senior HR Business Partners, Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, and Learning & Development roles. Engagements are project-based, with the firm personally meeting every candidate and focusing on cultural fit and alignment with organizational goals.
Is Benson Executive Search a public or private company?
Benson Executive Search is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Benson Executive Search founded?
Benson Executive Search was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Benson Executive Search based?
Benson Executive Search is headquartered in Waltham, United States, in the North America region.
How does Benson Executive Search make money?
One revenue line is on record: retained Executive Search Fees.
Does Benson Executive Search have an API?
No public API is recorded for Benson Executive Search.
What industry is Benson Executive Search in?
Benson Executive Search's product category is Executive Search Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACAAAB, Functional Leadership Search (HR/Finance/Legal/Marketing/Sales/Ops), with a secondary code of BPACAAAA, C-Suite & Board Search. Its NAICS code is 561312 and its SIC code is 7361.