What Slayton Search Partners, Inc. does

Slayton Search Partners, Inc. is a Chicago-based retained executive search firm founded in 1985 by Dick Slayton, specializing in C-suite, board, and senior-level executive placements across nine industry verticals (Consumer Products, Consumer Services, Distribution, Financial Services, Industrial Products, Industrial Services, Insurance, Private Equity, and Retail) and ten functional disciplines (CEO/P&L, Diversity, Finance, HR, R&D, Marketing/Sales, Supply Chain, Strategy, Sustainability, and Technology). The firm operates a pure professional services model, earning revenue through project-based retained search engagements with custom quote-based pricing structured around search scope and seniority. Its go-to-market is direct enterprise relationship sales, with a long-tenured consulting team delivering engagements to a blue-chip client roster that includes Fortune 500 companies, private equity-backed firms, and large not-for-profit organizations. The firm maintains no proprietary technology platform; its competitive position is built on consultant expertise, professional networks, and consultative methodology. Since 2022, Slayton has operated as part of The Judge Group while preserving its boutique culture and brand identity. The firm is led by Managing Partner & CEO Richard Slayton and has been recognized consecutively by Forbes as one of America's Best Executive Recruiting Firms (2023-2026).

Name

Slayton Search Partners, Inc.

Legal name

Slayton Search Partners, Inc.

Website

https://slaytonsearch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Slayton Search Partners is a Chicago-based retained executive search firm founded in 1985 that places C-suite and senior executives across nine industry verticals for Fortune 500, private equity-backed, and large enterprise clients. Operating within The Judge Group since 2022, the firm delivers project-based retained engagements through a team of long-tenured search consultants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Search Services

NAICS

Executive Search Services (561312)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Functional Leadership Search (HR/Finance/Legal/Marketing/Sales/Ops) (BPACAAAB), Financial Services Leadership Search (Banking/Insurance/PE/Asset Mgmt) (BPACAAAF), Consumer & Retail Leadership Search (BPACAAAG), Technology & Product Leadership Search (CIO/CTO/CDO/CPO) (BPACAAAC), Healthcare & Life Sciences Leadership Search (BPACAAAE)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• Retained executive search
• C-suite recruitment
• Leadership talent advisory
• Senior executive placement

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Retained Executive Search Services: Retained executive search firm providing retained search engagements for C-suite and senior executive placements. Services include executive recruitment, assessment, and talent advisory across multiple industry verticals. engagements are project-based with retained fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Slayton Search Partners is a retained executive search firm that places C-suite, board-level, and senior executives across nine industry verticals (Consumer Products, Consumer Services, Distribution, Financial Services, Industrial Products, Industrial Services, Insurance, Private Equity, and Retail) and ten functional areas (CEO and P&L, Diversity, Finance, Human Resources, R&D, Marketing and Sales, Supply Chain, Strategy, Sustainability, and Technology). Engagements are project-based with retained fees, structured around scope and seniority of position.

Product overview

Slayton Search Partners is a retained executive search firm offering a single, unified service: executive recruitment and placement. The firm specializes in placing senior leadership talent across nine industry verticals (Consumer Products, Consumer Services, Distribution, Financial Services, Industrial Products, Industrial Services, Insurance, Private Equity, Retail) and nine functional areas (CEO and P&L, Diversity, Finance, Human Resources, Research and Development, Marketing and Sales, Supply Chain, Strategy, Sustainability, and Technology). The core offering is retained search engagements for executive management team placements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Retained Executive Search Services Retained executive search services placing senior-level executives (C-suite, board, and VP-level) across nine industry verticals and ten functional areas including Consumer Products, Distribution, Financial Services, Industrial, Insurance, Private Equity, Retail, CEO and P&L, Finance, Human Resources, R&D, Marketing and Sales, Supply Chain, Strategy, Sustainability, and Technology. Services include candidate identification, assessment, and talent advisory for enterprise clients.

Named customers10 records

Segments19 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• The Judge GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2022, Slayton Search Partners joined The Judge Group, creating new opportunities for growth while maintaining the firm's unique culture and consultative approach. This partnership expanded the firm's resources and capabilities while preserving its distinctive approach to executive search.
• BlueStepsminorOthersBlueSteps partnership provides executive visibility and candidate sourcing network for the firm. Featured partner logo on website.
• AESC (Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants)coreOthersAESC membership demonstrates commitment to highest standards of ethics and professionalism in executive search. Firm leadership has served on AESC Americas Council.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Egon Zehnder: Privately held global executive search and leadership advisory firm focused on board, CEO, and senior executive appointments. Direct peer to Slayton given its retained-search model, executive-level client base, and industry-aligned practice areas.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global retained executive search firm placing C-suite and board-level executives across industries including consumer, financial services, and industrial. Directly comparable to Slayton in business model (retained search) and target buyer (enterprise HR and boards), but operates at materially larger scale.
• DHR International: Global retained executive search firm (now operating as DHR Global) placing senior executives across consumer, financial, industrial, life sciences, and technology verticals. Direct comparable on retained-search model and multi-vertical senior placement focus.
• Odgers Berndtson: Global executive search firm serving consumer, financial services, industrial, public sector, and PE clients with retained senior-level searches. Comparable to Slayton on retained model and executive-level client engagements, though with broader international presence.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm specializing in senior leadership and board placements across consumer, financial services, industrial, and technology sectors. Direct comparable to Slayton on retained-search model, C-suite focus, and vertical breadth.
• Diversified Search: Mid-size retained executive search firm serving consumer, financial services, healthcare, industrial, and nonprofit clients. Comparable to Slayton on boutique-to-mid-tier retained-search positioning with multi-vertical coverage.
• Spencer Stuart: One of the world's largest privately held executive search firms, focused on board, CEO, and senior executive placements across consumer, financial, industrial, and PE sectors. Comparable to Slayton in retained-search model and executive-level client engagement, but at global scale.

Others

• The Judge Group: Parent company of Slayton Search Partners since 2022; a diversified staffing, training, and consulting organization. Not a direct competitor but ecosystem-relevant as the corporate parent whose resources and strategic priorities shape Slayton's growth runway.

Broad incumbents

• Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm with a major executive search practice alongside broader talent, rewards, and consulting offerings. Overlaps with Slayton on C-suite/board search but is materially broader in services and geographic footprint.

Emerging players

• WittKieffer: Mid-size executive search firm with strong specialization in healthcare, higher education, and life sciences leadership. Partially comparable to Slayton via retained executive search model and Slayton's healthcare-administration practice.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/slayton-search-partners
• Xx.com/slaytonsearch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Slayton Search Partners, Inc.