Sanford Rose Associates

What Sanford Rose Associates does

Sanford Rose Associates International, LLC is a Plano, Texas-based franchisor of a network of independently owned executive search offices, founded in 1959 and operating for 60+ years. The core business is retained executive search for experienced executives, management and individual contributors, with each of 170+ member offices — collectively employing 650+ recruiters across North America, Europe (UK) and Asia (China) — specializing in specific industries, functional areas, or geographies. The model combines global brand reach with local ownership and uses a proprietary, patented "Client Focused Search" methodology built around a 32-step "Dimensional Search" process taught to network consultants through training programs; the franchisor also monetizes the brand via its Dimensional Search franchise platform for entrepreneurs building search and staffing businesses.

The company generates revenue through two primary streams: retained executive search fees at the office/client level and franchise/licensing economics at the central entity (royalties, training subscriptions via Next Level Exchange, and brand licensing). The operating geography spans the USA, Canada, the UK, and China, with affiliated companies — Kaye/Bassman International (founded 1981, ranked in Hunt Scanlon's Top Ten Largest Search Firms in the Americas), Direct Recruiters, Inc. (founded 1983), Full Spectrum Search Group (post-acute senior leadership recruiting), and Next Level Exchange (the largest recruiting consulting organization in the industry with 2,000+ clients in 30+ countries) — extending the platform's range beyond direct retained search into training, consulting, and franchise support.

Sanford Rose Associates is privately held and has been acquired by Starfish Partners, an investment platform for recruiting firms that provides capital for scaling and exit strategies. The franchisor entity itself is small (101-250 employees) versus the much larger network footprint, reflecting a classic franchise-economics structure where significant revenue accrues to independently owned member offices. The network reports having filled over 100,000 positions across its 60-year history; no consolidated revenue figures are publicly disclosed. Brand recognition is anchored by the registered service marks Sanford Rose Associates®, "Finding People Who Make a Difference®", Dimensional Search®, the three-diamond SRA logo, and external recognition from Forbes (Top Executive Recruiting Firm), Executive Search Review, and Hunt Scanlon Media.

Name

Sanford Rose Associates

Legal name

Sanford Rose Associates International, LLC.

Website

https://sanfordrose.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Sanford Rose Associates is a 1959-founded, Plano-based franchisor of a global network of 170+ independently owned executive search offices with 650+ recruiters, delivering retained search for executives and management to corporate employers across North America, Europe and Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

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

Executive & Leadership Direct Hire (BPACAFAB), Functional Leadership Search (HR/Finance/Legal/Marketing/Sales/Ops) (BPACAAAB)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• Retained executive recruitment
• Executive placement firm
• Management recruitment network
• Executive search network

Headquarters

HQ city

Plano

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. Retained Executive Search Services: The company specializes in retained search for experienced executives, management and individual contributors. Engagements range from single position fills to large-term retainer arrangements, providing consistent revenue from client relationships.
2. Franchise Network Fees: Revenue generated from franchisees (independently owned offices) within the Sanford Rose Associates network, including Dimensional Search franchise operations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sanford Rose Associates is a network of independently owned and operated recruiting offices that provides retained executive search services for experienced executives, management, and individual contributors. The network comprises 170+ member offices with 650+ recruiters applying a proprietary, patented Client Focused Search methodology organized around a 32-step Dimensional Search process. Through its Dimensional Search division the network also offers a franchise platform for entrepreneurs to launch executive search and staffing businesses.

Product overview

Sanford Rose Associates is a network of independently owned and operated recruiting offices offering executive search services. The core offering consists of the Sanford Rose Associates Executive Search Network supplemented by Dimensional Search (a sub-brand providing franchise opportunities for entrepreneurs) and the proprietary Client Focused Search Process with a 32-step methodology. The network includes affiliated companies such as Kaye/Bassman International, Direct Recruiters, Full Spectrum Search Group, and Next Level Exchange. Client and candidate support services include video-based resources covering resume preparation, interview techniques, onboarding, and employer hiring guidance. The organization operates 170+ member offices with 650+ recruiters globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sanford Rose Associates Executive Search Network A network of 170+ independently owned and operated recruiting offices offering retained executive search services for experienced executives, management, and individual contributors across virtually every industry including healthcare, manufacturing, technology, finance, hospitality, legal, and energy. Each office specializes by industry, functional area, or geography, with 650+ recruiters globally and a 25-day average time-to-fill.
• Dimensional Search Franchise An accelerative franchise platform—the cardinal division of the Sanford Rose Associates Network—enabling entrepreneurs to launch executive search and staffing businesses. Franchisees gain the 60+ year Dimensional Search brand, Executive Leadership Team with 300+ combined years of recruiting experience, structure, support, and access to proven methodologies.
• Client Focused Search Process A proprietary, patented search methodology embedded with a detailed 32-step process taught to consultants through rigorous training programs. Enables tailored search engagements ranging from single position fills to large-term retainer arrangements under the Dimensional Search brand.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100,000 positions filled in 60+ years of operation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Next Level ExchangecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2006Founded in 2006, Next Level Exchange is the largest recruiting consulting organization in the industry. Delivers proven best practices, training, coaching, and digital marketing solutions for the search and staffing industry. With over 2,000 clients in 30+ countries, serves as funnel for successful partnerships including the acquisition of the SRA International Network.
• Starfish Partners FoundationminorOthers · 1 January 2001Not-for-profit organization with primary mission of creating and perpetuating charitable giving, fostering hope and personal growth, supporting medical research, and enhancing lives of people in need. Since inception, donated over $1,800,000 to beneficiaries.
• Starfish PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStarfish Partners is an expanding ecosystem and investment platform for recruiting firms structured to enhance collective benefit of all stakeholders. Provides capital for recruiting firms looking to scale, as well as exit strategies for owners seeking to monetize value. Acquired Full Spectrum Search Group founders and provides equity opportunities for key producers and leaders.
• Kaye/Bassman InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1981, Kaye/Bassman is a global search and recruitment solutions firm with expertise in over thirty specialty practice areas. Ranked in Hunt Scanlon Media's Top Ten Largest Search Firms in the Americas. With over three dozen partners averaging 14 years tenure, recognized as #1 Best Place to Work by Dallas Business Journal and #1 Best Company to Work For in Texas.
• Direct Recruiters, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 1983, Direct Recruiters, Inc. has been recognized as the relationship-focused search firm assisting top-tier organizations with recruiting, acquiring, and retaining high-impact talent for mission-critical positions. Services clients across North America with international placement experience.
• Dimensional SearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDimensional Search is the cardinal division of the Sanford Rose Associates Network, providing an accelerative platform for entrepreneurs to launch executive search and staffing businesses. Founded in 1959 with Executive Leadership Team boasting combined 300+ years and nearly 25+ average years of experience in recruiting industry.
• Full Spectrum Search GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull service recruiting firm specializing in post-acute senior leadership recruiting. Founded in 2016, joined Sanford Rose and acquired by Starfish Partners founders in 2020. Experienced 240% revenue growth from 2020 to 2022. Evolved from rainmaker-ran full desk recruiting to decentralized, scalable, data-centric organization.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm with a large executive search practice alongside assessment, RPO, and leadership development. Directly comparable to SRA's retained executive search offering but at significantly greater scale and with proprietary assessment IP.
• Heidrick & Struggles: One of the largest publicly-traded executive search firms globally, with deep C-suite and board practice coverage. Comparable to SRA on retained senior-level search but offers a fully integrated, centralized delivery model rather than a franchise network.
• Spencer Stuart: Privately-held global executive search and leadership advisory firm. Closest pure-play comparable to SRA in terms of retained search focus, though it operates a centralized partnership model without SRA's franchise structure.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm with strong board, CEO, and functional leadership practices. Competes with SRA for the same C-suite and senior management engagements, with a centralized consultant model and significant tech-enabled assessment capabilities.
• Egon Zehnder: Global retained executive search firm with deep practice specialization across industries. Direct peer for senior executive and board search engagements, with a partnership-based delivery model that contrasts with SRA's franchise model.
• Robert Half International: Large publicly-traded staffing and search firm with a dedicated executive search practice (Protiviti/RHI Executive Search). Comparable to SRA on permanent placement of mid-to-senior professionals, with broader staffing and consulting offerings.
• Hays plc: Global recruitment and workforce solutions firm with significant permanent placement operations. Comparable to SRA in mid-to-senior level professional hiring but at materially larger scale, with a centralized operating model and strong technology investments.

Direct peers

• Boyden: Global executive search firm operating a partner-led network across 70+ offices. Closest mid-sized peer to SRA in terms of distributed office model and retained search focus, though Boyden uses a partnership rather than franchise structure.
• Kaye/Bassman International: Affiliated company in the SRA Family of Companies, founded in 1981, ranked in Hunt Scanlon's Top 10 Largest Search Firms in the Americas. Operates a global retained search practice with 30+ specialty areas; effectively the most direct in-network peer to SRA's franchisor.
• Transearch International: Global retained executive search network operating across 60+ countries with partner-owned offices. Closest direct peer to SRA's distributed, partner-led network model serving mid-market and senior-level retained search engagements.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sanfordrose
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sanford-rose-associates-international-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Sanford Rose Associates