Pearson Partners International

What Pearson Partners International does

Pearson Partners International is a privately held, Dallas-based retained executive search and leadership consulting firm founded in 2002 by Robert L. Pearson and Keith Pearson. The firm delivers partner-led retained executive search for C-suite, board, and senior management positions, complemented by management assessment (using licensed psychometric instruments including Birkman, MRG, LEA 360, Myers Briggs/MBTI, and CPI 260), succession planning, executive coaching, and career transition services for individual executives.

The business model is professional services fee-for-engagement, with results-driven (rather than calendar-driven) pricing typically structured across three performance-milestone installments. Distribution is exclusively partner-led direct engagement with enterprise and PE buyers; the firm does not use intermediaries or channel partners. As an independent member of IIC Partners (a Top 10 global executive search organization with 450+ consultants across 40 offices) and a member of AESC, Pearson Partners extends its geographic and functional reach without scaling its own headcount. The firm operates from three U.S. offices — Dallas (headquarters), Fort Worth, and Fort Lauderdale — and derives more than 70% of its business from referrals among previous clients, candidates, and contacts.

The firm serves Fortune 1000 companies, private equity firms and portfolio companies, emerging businesses, and a secondary mix of nonprofits, healthcare systems, academic institutions, and government agencies. Named clients span Greyhound, Deloitte & Touche, WellStar Health System, Match Group, DART, Natural Gas Partners, and ASUG, among others. Leadership is family-influenced (Keith Pearson as Chairman and CEO; Jill Pearson as Principal) and is supplemented by an advisory board that includes a McKinsey Director Emeritus and a former EY Senior Partner, reinforcing the firm's positioning at the senior-most tier of the executive search profession.

Name

Pearson Partners International

Legal name

Pearson Partners International

Website

https://pearsonpartnersintl.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pearson Partners International is a Dallas-based, partner-led retained executive search and leadership consulting firm founded in 2002, serving Fortune 1000 companies, private equity firms, and emerging businesses with C-suite, board, and senior management placements.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Retained Executive Search: Core retained executive search service with results-driven fee structure. Most clients pay three installments based on attainment of specific, performance-based milestones. Commits to successfully completing every search.
2. Management Assessment Services: Comprehensive assessment services ranging from evaluating single employees to analyzing entire organizational structures. Uses diagnostic tools such as Birkman, MRG, LEA 360, Myers Briggs, and CPI 260.
3. Executive Coaching: Custom executive coaching services focused on strengthening current leaders and retaining top talent. Highly customized with milestones and measurable results.
4. Succession Planning: Forward-looking succession planning engagements ensuring continuity, preserving institutional knowledge, and supporting long-term growth.
5. Career Transition Services for Individuals: Comprehensive career coaching and transition services for senior-level executives including career assessment, marketability analysis, marketing plan development, and personal preparation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Pearson Partners International provides retained executive search, management assessment, executive coaching, and succession planning services for C-suite, board, and senior management roles. The firm operates a partner-led boutique model where senior partners personally conduct every search from initial client consultation through candidate placement, leveraging the IIC Partners global network of 450+ consultants across 40 offices worldwide. Additional offerings include career transition services for individual executives and proprietary psychometric assessment using tools such as Birkman, MRG, LEA 360, Myers Briggs, and CPI 260.

Product overview

Pearson Partners International is a retained executive search and leadership consulting firm offering a unified suite of talent acquisition and development services. The core offerings include Retained Executive Search (the primary service), Leadership Assessment, Succession Planning, and Executive Coaching—all delivered through a partner-led model. Supporting these core services are individual-focused Career Transition Services and engagement programs including the Spotlight Series Breakfast and DFW HR Roundtable events. The company operates as an independent member of IIC Partners, accessing 450+ consultants across 40 global offices worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Spotlight Series: Pearson Partners International's quarterly breakfast event series exploring business and leadership trends

Products and services

• Retained Executive Search Global retained executive search service providing comprehensive candidate pre-screening, 360-degree evaluations, and personal attention from senior partners throughout the engagement for C-suite, board, and senior management placements. Targets Fortune 1000, private equity, emerging businesses, nonprofit, healthcare, and government clients.
• Leadership Assessment Comprehensive assessment services using diagnostic tools including Birkman, MRG, LEA 360, Myers Briggs (MBTI), and CPI 260 to evaluate individuals or entire organizational structures, identify gaps, and develop action plans for leadership development and team alignment.
• Succession Planning Forward-looking succession planning engagements that evaluate internal readiness, identify high-potential talent, define leadership competencies, and create development plans aligned with strategic business goals to ensure leadership continuity and preserve institutional knowledge.
• Executive Coaching Custom executive coaching led by licensed professionals including a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified Professional Coach (PCC), focused on strengthening current leaders, improving career satisfaction, and developing high-performing executives through personalized action plans and accountability.
• Career Transition Services for Individuals Senior executive career coaching and transition services including career assessment, marketability analysis, marketing plan development, resume completion, networking training, and interview preparation tailored for individual senior executives navigating role transitions.
• Spotlight Series Breakfast Quarterly invitation-only breakfast events exploring business and leadership trends, providing forums for senior executives, business leaders, and panelists to share knowledge, gain insights, and network with peers.
• DFW HR Roundtable Roundtable events for HR professionals in the Dallas-Fort Worth area discussing topics related to human resources, talent management, and leadership development.

Quantifiable outcome

• One of the highest search completion rates in the industry with commitment to successfully completing every search
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers25 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• IIC PartnersflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent member of IIC Partners, one of the world's Top 10 global executive search organizations. Provides access to 450+ expert consultants across 40 offices worldwide, enabling Pearson Partners clients to source and hire executive talent globally with cross-border, international experience and local market expertise. Firms collaborate on cross-border search assignments, exchange industry knowledge, and share best practices.
• AESC (Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the highly selective AESC, guided by a strict code of ethics. Actively contributes to advancing the executive search profession and shaping the future of leadership. Provides legitimacy and industry standards alignment.
• BlueStepsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAESC career service that increases visibility among retained executive search firms. Pearson Partners is an AESC member firm and directs executives to BlueSteps to increase their visibility among member firms.
• NACD North Texas (National Association of Corporate Directors)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPearson Partners frequently sponsors NACD North Texas events and Renee Arrington serves as board chair. Events provide platforms for business leaders and board directors to share knowledge and network with top executives.
• Private Directors Association - Dallas/Fort Worth ChaptercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLongtime Gold Sponsor of PDA Dallas-Fort Worth chapter. Hosts engaging discussions for current and aspiring board directors on topics including board governance, risk management, and board search processes.
• K&L GatesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-hosts CLE (continuing legal education) events with K&L Gates Dallas office on topics including non-compete agreements, Texas Business Courts, and contract review. Events provide insights for legal professionals and business community.
• HMG StrategyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRenee Arrington leads panels at HMG Strategy Dallas C-Level Technology Leadership Summits discussing tech talent attraction, retention, and workforce development topics.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Spencer Stuart: One of the world's largest privately-held executive search firms, with deep C-suite and board practice across industries. A scaled incumbent comparable to Pearson Partners in focus (C-suite/board) but with materially larger global footprint and headcount.
• Korn Ferry: Publicly-traded global organizational consulting firm with the world's largest executive search practice alongside leadership development and RPO. Directly comparable in core retained search services but vastly larger and more diversified.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with a strong executive search and Heidrick Consulting practice. Comparable in retained search methodology and Fortune 1000 client base, with much broader international scale.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm focused on C-suite, board, and CEO succession work with strong assessment and leadership advisory capabilities. Direct competitor for the same Fortune 1000 and PE mandates Pearson Partners targets.
• Egon Zehnder: Privately-held global executive search and leadership advisory firm operating across 40+ countries. Closely comparable in boutique partner-led culture, board practice and integrated coaching/assessment offerings.

Direct peers

• Boyden: Global executive search firm with similar mid-sized partner-led model and comparable focus on board, C-suite and functional leadership roles across multiple industries. Direct competitor for similar mid-market and large-cap retained mandates.
• DHR Global: Mid-sized global executive search firm with partner-led engagement model and diversified industry practice. Direct peer in the boutique-to-mid-market executive search segment, especially for PE-backed and growth-company mandates.
• Stanton Chase: Global retained executive search firm with partner-led boutique culture and similar focus on C-suite and senior management placements. Direct comparable in service model and client profile, including the DFW and broader US market.
• Odgers Berndtson: Global mid-sized executive search firm with partner-led model and broad sector practice across the Americas, EMEA and APAC. Comparable in size, partner-led service style and cross-border delivery capability.

Emerging players

• WittKieffer: Mid-sized executive search firm specializing in healthcare, education, nonprofit and life sciences leadership. Comparable to Pearson Partners' healthcare and nonprofit segments, particularly with WellStar Health System and Genesis Women's Shelter client overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PearsonPartners
• Facebookfacebook.com/PearsonPartnersIntl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pearson-partners-international

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 Pearson Partners International