Encore Search Partners

What Encore Search Partners does

Encore Search Partners is a Houston-based executive recruiting firm founded in 2013 by Jeremy Jenson that specializes in identifying and engaging passive Professional, Technical, and C-Level candidates for enterprise and VC/PE-backed clients. Originally launched in 2010 as Market Share Solutions, a lead generation business, the company rebranded in 2013 and pivoted entirely to direct-hire executive search. The firm operates a data-driven outbound headhunting methodology that combines quantitative candidate research with proactive multi-channel outreach — cold calls, email, LinkedIn, and SMS — supported by an information-based quantitative model for candidate identification and the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), which has been used to manage the business since 2017. In June 2026, Encore expanded into software-enabled talent attraction with TalentDemand, a platform deploying 20 digital assets across LinkedIn, email, and text messaging to build candidate demand for organizations among passive candidates.

Encore serves six primary industry verticals — Wealth Management, Legal, Energy, Manufacturing, Industrial, and Technology — with VC/PE-backed companies targeted as a distinct use-case segment for rapid post-funding team builds. Disclosed client engagements include Honeywell (industrial technology sales and marketing roles), a $2B oilfield services company (Director of Tax search), a VC-funded medical services startup (40 remote salespeople hired in six months), and an unnamed industrial robotics company. The firm operates three revenue streams: performance-based contingency recruiting as the primary model with no upfront retainer and typical placement fees around 3x compensation; managed recruiting/RPO engagements sold as monthly subscriptions for sustained high-volume hiring; and dedicated recruiter models for ongoing pipeline development. Disclosed performance metrics include a 90% submittal-to-interview ratio and a 75% fill ratio, with client ROI typically realized within approximately 90 days.

Encore is a privately held, founder-owned LLC under Jeremy Jenson's complete ownership, operating debt-free with zero outside capital. Headquartered at 11740 Katy Freeway in Houston, the firm employs 40–45 people and serves clients nationwide. According to its 2026 homepage, the company has generated $81M+ in revenue, completed 1,870+ placements, signed 1,100+ new clients, and placed 800+ client organizations. It has been ranked the #1 Largest Executive Search Firm in Texas by the Houston Business Journal in 2024, 2025, and 2026, recognized as a Best Place to Work for six consecutive years, and named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies and the Houston Fast 100.

Name

Encore Search Partners

Legal name

Encore Search Partners, LLC

Website

https://encoresearch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Encore Search Partners is a Houston-based executive search firm that recruits passive Professional, Technical, and C-Level candidates for enterprise and VC/PE-backed clients across Wealth Management, Legal, Energy, Manufacturing, Industrial, and Technology verticals on a performance-based contingency model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Search & Recruiting

NAICS

Executive Search Services (561312), Employment Placement Agencies and Executive Search Services (56131)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Confidential/Replacement & Succession Search (BPACAAAK), Financial Services Leadership Search (Banking/Insurance/PE/Asset Mgmt) (BPACAAAF), Functional Leadership Search (HR/Finance/Legal/Marketing/Sales/Ops) (BPACAAAB)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• Outbound headhunting
• Talent acquisition
• Passive candidate recruiting
• Contingency recruiting

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Performance-Based Contingency Recruiting: Clients only pay upon successful placement. No upfront retainer required. This is the primary revenue model and aligns the firm's incentives with client outcomes.
2. Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Managed Service: Monthly engagement providing ongoing recruiting support and pipeline development for high-volume hiring needs. Sold as a managed service agreement rather than per-placement contingency, suitable for companies hiring 40+ roles.
3. Dedicated Recruiter Model: A focused recruiting resource dedicated to building a client's talent pipeline, offered as a monthly engagement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Encore Search Partners is a Houston-based executive search firm that recruits Professional, Technical, and C-Level talent on behalf of companies through a disciplined, data-driven outbound headhunting model. The firm proactively identifies and engages experienced passive candidates who are not actively seeking new opportunities, and operates primarily on a performance-based contingency pricing model with no upfront retainer. It serves clients nationwide across Wealth Management, Legal, Energy, Manufacturing, Industrial, and Technology verticals.

Product overview

Encore Search Partners offers a unified executive search and recruiting service built around its core Data-Driven Outbound Headhunting methodology. The firm's main offerings include Performance-Based Recruiting (contingency-based, no upfront retainer), a Dedicated Recruiter Model, Recruiting Marketing & Demand Generation, and a Managed Recruiting Platform (monthly engagement). The portfolio is anchored by a disciplined outbound headhunting system that combines data-driven research with proactive market outreach to identify passive candidates. In June 2026, the firm expanded into talent attraction technology with TalentDemand, a platform that deploys 20 digital assets across LinkedIn, email, and text messaging to proactively build candidate demand before recruitment begins. All offerings operate on a performance-based pricing model.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Performance-Based Recruiting

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% submittal to interview ratio
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search firm with multiple verticals including Financial Services, Industrial, and Technology. Most comparable direct competitor to Encore in scope of services and client base, though much larger in scale.
• Spencer Stuart: Premier executive search and leadership advisory firm serving boards, CEOs, and senior leadership across industries. Direct peer focused on C-suite and senior executive placements, comparable in service model to Encore's executive focus.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm specializing in C-suite and senior executive placements across multiple industries. Closely comparable in service model and target client base to Encore Search Partners.
• Egon Zehnder: Global leadership advisory and executive search firm serving clients across industries with a focus on senior-level executive placements. Comparable in executive search focus and relationship-driven service model.
• DHR Global: Mid-market executive search firm with multi-vertical practices and a strong private equity-backed company focus. Most comparable by size, PE client focus, and vertical specialization to Encore Search Partners.
• JM Search: Mid-market executive search firm specializing in senior leadership placements across multiple industries. Closely comparable in size, mid-market focus, and vertical practice structure to Encore Search Partners.
• Caldwell Partners: Executive search and consulting firm with practices across multiple industries and geographies. Comparable in service model, vertical approach, and target client base to Encore Search Partners.

Broad incumbents

• Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm combining executive search with talent management, RPO, and consulting services. Broader incumbent competitor offering overlapping capabilities as part of a wider portfolio of HR services.
• Robert Half: Large staffing and talent solutions company offering executive search through its subsidiary alongside broader staffing services. Broader incumbent competitor with overlapping capabilities in executive placement and RPO.

Emerging players

• True Search: Tech-enabled executive search firm focused on placing senior leaders at venture-backed companies. Comparable in PE/VC-backed client focus and tech-enabled approach, though more concentrated in technology vertical.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/encoresearch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/encoresearch
• Instagraminstagram.com/encoresearch
• Xx.com/encore_search

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Encore Search Partners