M Search
M Search is a Miami-based, women-owned boutique executive search and leadership advisory firm placing senior leaders across HR, Finance, Technology, Go-To-Market, and Operations for Fortune 1000, PE-backed, and high-growth startup clients across North America.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersMiami, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What M Search does
M Search is a Miami-headquartered boutique executive search and leadership advisory firm founded in 2007. The firm specializes in retained search for senior leadership roles across Human Resources, Accounting & Finance, Technology, Go-To-Market, and Operations functions, alongside an expanding Leadership Advisory practice spanning Organization Effectiveness, People Capital, Culture, and executive transition programs. Its client base targets high-growth startups and scale-ups, Fortune 1000 and mid-size enterprises, private equity and venture capital-backed organizations, and non-profits across North America, with heritage connections to the UK and India. The firm is women-owned and minority-owned, holding WBENC certification and AIRS Certified Diversity & Inclusion Recruiter accreditation.
M Search operates a Concierge Approach emphasizing bespoke, relationship-driven engagements rather than a proprietary technology platform. The firm references the use of data-driven candidate insights, assessments, and predictive analytics within its search workflow but does not disclose proprietary software, AI/ML models, or patents. Its product portfolio includes the core retained search offering, a Scale-Up Solutions package for high-growth companies with flexible payment terms, an M SEARCH Membership Program that converts per-placement fees into a monthly retainer subscription, and two sub-brand programs (Spark for career transitions and Fuse for executive integration) delivered in partnership with zscala. Go-to-market is sales-led, supported by content marketing, a flagship podcast ("Leadership Delivered"), social media presence, and referral-driven partner networks.
M Search firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- M Search
- Legal name
- Mughal & McRae
- Website
- https://msearchadvisory.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- M Search is a Miami-based, women-owned boutique executive search and leadership advisory firm placing senior leaders across HR, Finance, Technology, Go-To-Market, and Operations for Fortune 1000, PE-backed, and high-growth startup clients across North America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
M Search industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Executive Search Services
- NAICS
- Executive Search Services (561312)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Functional Leadership Search (HR/Finance/Legal/Marketing/Sales/Ops) (BPACAAAB)
Keywords
Where M Search is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Miami
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
M Search business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Retained Executive Search: Traditional retained search model where clients engage M Search to fill senior executive positions. The firm charges placement fees for executive and leadership searches across functions including HR, Finance, Technology, Operations, and Go-To-Market.
- M SEARCH Membership Program: A structured subscription-based membership offering cost savings of 25-35% on traditional per-placement recruiting fees. Members pay a predictable monthly retainer and receive dedicated talent partner services, pre-screened passive candidates, hiring guarantees, and market intelligence. Ideal for organizations filling five or more mid-to-director level roles annually.
- Leadership Advisory Services: Advisory engagements delivering talent organization effectiveness, people capital, culture, and leadership development programs. Includes services such as transition excellence (Spark Program) and integration excellence (Fuse Program) provided in partnership with zscala.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | M SEARCH Membership Program — monthly retainer for ongoing recruiting support |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Spark Program — 10-week executive transition bootcamp (partnership with zscala) |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Fuse Program — 6-month personalized 1:1 coaching for new role integration |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
M Search product offering
Product offeringCore offering
M Search is a women-owned boutique firm that provides retained executive search and leadership advisory services to organizations. It places senior leaders across Human Resources, Accounting & Finance, Technology, Go-To-Market, and Operations functions, and delivers leadership advisory engagements covering organization effectiveness, people capital, culture, and executive transition support. Additional offerings include Scale-Up Solutions for high-growth companies, an M SEARCH Membership Program for volume hiring, and co-developed Spark and Fuse transition/integration programs.
Product overview
M Search is a women-owned retained executive search and leadership advisory firm offering a portfolio of services centered on two core offerings: Executive Search (retained search across HR, Finance, Technology, Go-To-Market, and Operations) and Leadership Advisory (Organization Effectiveness, People Capital, Culture, and executive transition support). These core services are complemented by Scale-Up Solutions for high-growth companies, the M SEARCH Membership Program for volume hiring needs, and two sub-brand programs: Spark (career transition) and Fuse (executive integration coaching). The portfolio is delivered through a 'Concierge Approach' emphasizing personalized service and long-term partnership.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- M SEARCH Membership Program: A structured, cost-effective hiring solution providing significant cost savings, dedicated talent partnership, pre-screened passive candidates, hiring guarantees, and flexible retainer model for scaling organizations.
- Spark Program
- Fuse Program
Products and services
- Executive Search Retained executive search engagements placing senior leaders across Human Resources, Accounting & Finance, Technology, Go-To-Market, and Operations functions for client organizations.
- Leadership Advisory Advisory services encompassing Organization Effectiveness, People Capital, Culture, and Leaders in Transition programs to optimize team structure, leadership performance, and organizational culture.
- Scale-Up Solutions Bespoke executive search services tailored for start-ups and scale-ups, featuring flexible payment schedules, volume-based pricing, and engagement models designed for high-growth companies.
- M SEARCH Membership Program A structured subscription-based membership offering 25-35% savings on traditional per-placement recruiting fees, dedicated talent partnership, pre-screened passive candidates, hiring guarantees, and flexible monthly retainer pricing for organizations hiring five or more mid-to-director level roles annually.
- Spark Program A 10-week intensive career transition program developed in partnership with zscala, combining group workshops, peer coaching, and individual sessions to help leaders land new roles efficiently. Discounted fee of $3,400 (regular $4,900).
- Fuse Program A 6-month personalized 1:1 coaching program designed to accelerate executive integration and build foundations for long-term impact during the first 180 days in a new role, delivered in partnership with zscala.
Quantifiable outcome
- A bad executive hire can cost an organization 6 to 27 times the individual's base salary, with studies showing 40% of leaders fail within the first 18 months of a new role.
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use M Search
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
M Search technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
M Search partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- zscalacorezscala is a leadership development firm specializing in career transition support. M Search partners with zscala to deliver the Spark Program — a 10-week intensive executive transition bootcamp combining workshops, peer coaching, and individual sessions. The partnership provides M Search clients and candidates with best-in-class transition support, with zscala's founder Valerie Derome also serving as an executive coach and advisor. M Search's Founder provides testimonial endorsement of zscala's program quality.
- zscala (Fuse Program)coreM Search partners with zscala on the Fuse Program — a 6-month personalized 1:1 coaching engagement for leaders stepping into new roles. The program accelerates integration and builds foundations for long-term impact in the first 180 days. Valerie Derome of zscala delivers coaching services to senior executives referred through M Search's client engagements.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
M Search competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm with a large executive search practice spanning C-suite and functional leadership across all sectors, plus adjacent leadership advisory and talent assessment services. Comparable as a direct competitor on enterprise retained search mandates, but with vastly greater scale, technology, and capital.
- Spencer Stuart: One of the leading global executive search firms focused on board, CEO, and senior functional leadership. Competes head-to-head with M Search on C-suite and functional mandates, and offers board services, leadership advisory, and culture transformation capabilities that overlap with M Search's Leadership Advisory practice.
- Heidrick & Struggles: Global leadership advisory and executive search firm with a strong functional and industry-vertical practice model. Comparable because of its emphasis on functional leadership search (HR, Finance, Technology, GTM) and culture/leaders-in-transition advisory — direct overlap with M Search's positioning.
- Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with strong functional and sector practices and an assessment-led approach. Competes with M Search on senior executive placements and leadership advisory, particularly for Fortune 1000 and PE-backed clients.
- Egon Zehnder: Privately held global executive search and leadership advisory firm known for its non-compete partnership model. Comparable as a premium boutique-to-global competitor on C-suite and functional leadership mandates, with overlapping leadership development and culture services.
Direct peers
- Diversified Search Group: One of the largest women-owned executive search firms in the U.S., with practices across functional leadership, board, and industry verticals. The closest direct comparable to M Search in size, ownership profile, women-owned positioning, and functional-leadership search focus.
- Odgers Berndtson: Global mid-sized executive search firm with deep international offices and a functional/industry-vertical practice structure. Comparable as a privately held, mid-tier retained search firm competing for the same Fortune 1000 and PE-backed leadership mandates as M Search.
- Stanton Chase: Global retained executive search firm with sector-focused practices and a partnership model. Comparable as a similarly-sized boutique competitor serving mid-market to enterprise clients across functional and sector leadership mandates.
- Crist Kolder Associates: Boutique U.S. executive search firm focused on C-suite and functional leadership for large-cap and PE-backed companies. Comparable in size and positioning to M Search, particularly on the functional leadership side, and competes for similar Fortune 1000 and PE mandates.
Emerging players
- StevenDouglas: Mid-sized U.S. search and interim staffing firm with functional leadership practices. Comparable as a smaller direct competitor for mid-market and PE-backed functional leadership mandates, with a similar mix of retained search and subscription/contract offerings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
M Search social profiles
Digital presenceM Search compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
M Search financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
M Search leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
M Search funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
M 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 M Search
What does M Search do?
M Search is a women-owned boutique firm that provides retained executive search and leadership advisory services to organizations. It places senior leaders across Human Resources, Accounting & Finance, Technology, Go-To-Market, and Operations functions, and delivers leadership advisory engagements covering organization effectiveness, people capital, culture, and executive transition support. Additional offerings include Scale-Up Solutions for high-growth companies, an M SEARCH Membership Program for volume hiring, and co-developed Spark and Fuse transition/integration programs.
Is M Search a public or private company?
M Search is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was M Search founded?
M Search was founded in 2007. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is M Search based?
M Search is headquartered in Miami, United States, in the North America region.
How does M Search make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Retained Executive Search is the primary driver. The others are M SEARCH Membership Program and leadership Advisory Services.
Who are M Search's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Korn Ferry, Spencer Stuart, Heidrick & Struggles, Russell Reynolds Associates and Egon Zehnder. Direct peers are Diversified Search Group, Odgers Berndtson, Stanton Chase and Crist Kolder Associates. StevenDouglas is listed as an emerging player.
Does M Search have an API?
No public API is recorded for M Search.
What industry is M Search in?
M 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). Its NAICS code is 561312 and its SIC code is 7361.