The Jacob Group
The Jacob Group is a McKinney, Texas-based executive search firm founded in 1992 that performs retained, contingency, and hybrid search plus RPO for Fortune 250 and blue-chip companies across seven industry practice areas, leveraging 30+ years of passive-candidate networks and a #1 ranking within the MRI Global Network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersMckinney, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Jacob Group does
The Jacob Group is a privately-held, founder-owned executive search firm headquartered in McKinney, Texas, established in 1992 by Don and Becky Jacob. The firm specializes in direct sourcing of passive executive candidates for Fortune 250 and blue-chip organizations across seven practice areas (Restaurant/Retail/Hospitality, Consumer, Industrial, Financial, Life Sciences, Business Services, and cross-industry functional placements in HR, Sales, Marketing, Technology, Finance, R&D, and Supply Chain). Its core product set spans retained, contingency, and hybrid search engagements delivered through a differentiated Partner Search Program that combines elements of full retainer and contingency search with a satisfaction guarantee; supplementary offerings include Recruiting Process Outsourcing (RPO) for entire firms or specific functions, Relocation Services via FAS Relocation Network, equity funding referrals to a partner investment bank, Drake P3 personality testing integration, and Diversity Sourcing.
The business model is multi-pronged and largely fee-based: retainer revenue from Partner Search engagements (subscription-style), transaction-based placement fees on contingency work, managed-services revenue from RPO contracts, and affiliate referral fees from relocation and capital-introduction partners. Go-to-market is sales-led and direct, with dedicated Account Executives and Project Managers, a "For Companies" enterprise portal, and a "For Candidates" relationship-development pipeline; geographic reach outside North America is achieved via the firm's #1-ranked position within the MRI Global Network of more than 1,000 independent search firms.
Technology and operations are positioned as enabling tools rather than the product itself. A dedicated Market Intelligence Team, internally led by Director of Operations Matt Jacob, focuses on database accuracy, contact sourcing from online channels, and quality assurance. The firm cites no proprietary AI/ML platforms, APIs, patents, or software products; its competitive position is rooted in 30+ years of curated professional relationships, passive-candidate sourcing expertise, recruiter tenure (80% of tenured consultants achieve top 10% industry status), and brand recognition (top 3% among independent search firms, with multiple practices ranked in the top 1%).
The Jacob Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Jacob Group
- Legal name
- The Jacob Group
- Website
- https://jacobgroup.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Jacob Group is a McKinney, Texas-based executive search firm founded in 1992 that performs retained, contingency, and hybrid search plus RPO for Fortune 250 and blue-chip companies across seven industry practice areas, leveraging 30+ years of passive-candidate networks and a #1 ranking within the MRI Global Network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Jacob Group 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
- C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Functional Leadership Search (HR/Finance/Legal/Marketing/Sales/Ops) (BPACAAAB), General Permanent Placement (Multi-Industry) (BPACAFAA)
Keywords
Where The Jacob Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mckinney
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Jacob Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Partner Search Retainer: Hybrid retainer-based search program combining elements of full retainer and contingency search. The firm offers a satisfaction guarantee on retainer engagements.
- Contingency Search: Contingency-based placement fees at various levels for work that does not require multiple resources.
- Recruiting Process Outsourcing (RPO): RPO solutions for large projects priced individually, providing ongoing recruiting process outsourcing services.
- Equity Funding Referrals: The firm has alliances with an investment banking firm specializing in private equity transactions and helps connect small to medium companies with funding sources, earning referral arrangements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | Multi-year contract | Partner Search Program (Hybrid Retainer/Contingency) |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Contingency Search Options |
| Other | Multi-year contract | RPO Solutions (Large Projects) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
The Jacob Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Jacob Group is an executive search and recruiting firm that places senior through mid-level executives for Fortune 250 and blue-chip companies across multiple industries and functions. The firm delivers retained, contingency, and hybrid search engagements, including Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) for entire firms or specific functions. They specialize in direct sourcing of passive candidates using deep professional networks built over more than 30 years.
Product overview
The Jacob Group is a single-platform executive search firm offering comprehensive talent acquisition services. The core offering is Executive Search Services, which includes retained, contingency, and hybrid search methodologies delivered through the Partner Search Program. The firm provides seven specialized practice teams covering Restaurant/Retail/Hospitality, Consumer, Industrial, Financial, Life Sciences, and Business Services industries. Additional modules include Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), Relocation Services, Equity Funding Assistance, Drake P3 Personality Testing, and Diversity Sourcing. These services are designed to work together as an integrated talent solution for corporate clients seeking executive-level placements.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Assisted over 40% of Fortune 250 companies
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The Jacob Group
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Jacob Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
The Jacob Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- FAS Relocation NetworkminorFAS Relocation Network is a full-service provider of all things involving physical relocation. They offer services including The Homebuyer's Fair, Salary Calculator (cost of living analysis), comprehensive market analysis, special mortgage services, substantially reduced moving rates, spouse relocation program (Star), and travel management service.
- Smith Barney Advisors (Citi Smith Barney)minorSmith Barney Advisors across the US specialize in working with executives in transition and help with financial decisions including legacy 401k/pension options, stock options exercise strategies, transitional liquidity preparation, and protecting concentrated stock positions.
- MRI Global NetworkcoreThe Jacob Group is part of an international network of over 1,000 independent search firms. They are the #1 office among 1100 offices in the network for sourcing Human Resources talent. MRI provides access to international search capabilities and industry benchmarking.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Jacob Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Robert Half: Publicly traded staffing and talent solutions firm covering executive search through its Protiviti-adjacent and executive placement operations, as well as broader temporary and permanent staffing. Broader and larger than Jacob, with overlap in mid- to senior-level professional placement.
- Korn Ferry: Publicly traded global organizational consulting firm with a large executive search practice alongside talent management, RPO, and assessment offerings. Competes with Jacob for senior executive mandates and in the RPO space, but operates a much broader portfolio of services.
Direct peers
- Spencer Stuart: One of the world's largest executive search firms specializing in C-suite and board-level placements across industries. Directly comparable to The Jacob Group in core service offering (executive search) and target client base (Fortune-level enterprises), though materially larger and globally distributed.
- Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with practices across industries and functions comparable to Jacob's seven practice teams. Competes for the same Fortune 250 C-suite and senior leadership mandates that Jacob serves.
- DHR International: Boutique global executive search firm with industry-specialized practices, comparable in positioning to Jacob as a relationship-driven, practice-area-organized boutique serving enterprise clients.
- Odgers Berndtson: Global executive search firm with industry practice teams and a strong reputation in cross-border senior leadership searches. Comparable to Jacob in serving large corporate clients with industry-specialized executive search practices.
- Egon Zehnder: Privately held global executive search and leadership advisory firm with deep practice-area specialization similar to Jacob's industry-team model. Directly comparable in client mix (Fortune-level enterprises) and service breadth (executive search plus leadership advisory).
- Russell Reynolds Associates: Top-tier global executive search firm focused on C-suite, board, and senior leadership assignments across industries. Comparable to Jacob in targeting blue-chip corporate clients and serving cross-functional leadership needs.
Emerging players
- True Search: Executive search firm specializing in placing C-suite, board, and senior leaders at venture capital and growth-equity-backed companies. Comparable to Jacob in core service (executive search) but focused on a specific buyer segment (PE/VC-backed companies) rather than Fortune 250.
Others
- MRI Global Network: The international network of 1,000+ independent search firms of which The Jacob Group is a top-ranked member (#1 for HR sourcing). Not a direct competitor but a channel/ecosystem enabler providing international referral capability and benchmarking that supports Jacob's delivery model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Jacob Group social profiles
Digital presenceThe Jacob Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Jacob Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
The Jacob Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Jacob Group 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 The Jacob Group
What does The Jacob Group do?
The Jacob Group is an executive search and recruiting firm that places senior through mid-level executives for Fortune 250 and blue-chip companies across multiple industries and functions. The firm delivers retained, contingency, and hybrid search engagements, including Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) for entire firms or specific functions. They specialize in direct sourcing of passive candidates using deep professional networks built over more than 30 years.
Is The Jacob Group a public or private company?
The Jacob Group is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was The Jacob Group founded?
The Jacob Group was founded in 1992. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Jacob Group based?
The Jacob Group is headquartered in Mckinney, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Jacob Group make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Partner Search Retainer is the primary driver. The others are contingency Search, recruiting Process Outsourcing (RPO) and equity Funding Referrals.
Who are The Jacob Group's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Robert Half and Korn Ferry. Direct peers are Spencer Stuart, Heidrick & Struggles, DHR International, Odgers Berndtson, Egon Zehnder and Russell Reynolds Associates. True Search is listed as an emerging player. MRI Global Network is listed as an others.
Does The Jacob Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Jacob Group.
What industry is The Jacob Group in?
The Jacob Group's product category is Executive Search Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACAAAA, C-Suite & Board Search, with a secondary code of BPACAAAB, Functional Leadership Search (HR/Finance/Legal/Marketing/Sales/Ops). Its NAICS code is 561312 and its SIC code is 7361.