What Keller Executive Search does

Keller Executive Search is a privately-held executive search firm founded in 2005 and headquartered in New York, USA, operating with 51–100 employees. The firm's core business is placing C-suite leaders (CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CTOs, CHROs) and senior executives through retained and contingent search engagements conducted under a proprietary "Precision Search Process." The portfolio extends well beyond search to include Contract Recruiting, Contract Staffing, Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), Talent Mapping, Interim Executives, Outplacement, Succession Planning, and Military Transition services, alongside an advisory layer covering Leadership Coaching, Leadership Development, Leadership Assessment, Business Transformation, Compensation Consulting, Cultural Transformation, DEI, ESG & Sustainability, and Workforce Transformation. Two sub-brands have been launched in recent years: Keller Pathways (2023), a candidate-facing career coaching platform with modules for resume writing, LinkedIn optimization, interview preparation, career coaching, and career assessment; and Haldren (2024), a separate leadership advisory brand. No proprietary technology platform is disclosed.

The firm serves enterprise organizations, mid-market companies, startups, nonprofits, and multinational corporations across multiple verticals (Healthcare & Life Sciences, Financial Services & Investment, IT & Technology, Energy & Natural Resources). Geographic reach is broad: 40+ US metros are staffed directly, and 71+ countries are served via the NPAworldwide cooperative partnership (joined 2012), which provides access to 500 member firms, 1,362 global partners, and a network-wide funnel of 14,700 executive positions annually. Reported operational metrics include a 92% placement success rate, 94% client experience score, 89% one-year retention, and 73% of roles filled within six weeks.

The business operates on a transaction-fee model: an 18% success fee on placed-candidate annual salary with no upfront fees, a 365-day replacement guarantee, six-month post-placement follow-up, and off-limits protection for client leadership teams. Go-to-market is consultative and field-sales-led, primarily via a "Submit a Brief" form, direct phone consultations, a client portal, and content-driven demand generation through Keypoint Magazine and Keller Intelligence research, supplemented by earned media placements in Forbes, Fast Company, HR.com, SHRM, Yahoo Finance, and The Muse. No external funding rounds, institutional investors, parent company, or acquisitions are disclosed.

Name

Keller Executive Search

Legal name

Keller Executive Search

Website

https://kellerexecutivesearch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Keller Executive Search is a New York-based executive search firm placing C-suite and senior leaders globally via retained and contingent search at an 18% success fee. It serves enterprises, startups, nonprofits, and multinationals across 71+ countries via the NPAworldwide network and offers career services through Keller Pathways.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Search & Recruitment Services

NAICS

Executive Search Services (561312), Employment Placement Agencies and Executive Search Services (56131), Management Consulting Services (54161)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

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

Keywords

• Executive search services
• Headhunting recruitment
• Talent acquisition consulting
• Leadership advisory services
• Recruitment process outsourcing

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Retained Executive Search: Contingent and retained executive search services charging an 18% success fee upon successful placement. No upfront fees are charged to clients.
2. Contingent Recruiting: Contingent recruiting services where fees are only charged upon successful hire completion. Part of the overall executive search offerings.
3. Keller Pathways - Career Services: Career coaching, leadership development, resume writing, LinkedIn profile optimization, interview preparation, and career assessment services for candidates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Keller Executive Search is an executive search and headhunting firm placing C-suite and senior leaders (CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CTOs, CHROs) through retained and contingent engagements using a proprietary Precision Search Process. It complements placements with contract recruiting, RPO, talent mapping, interim executive placement, succession planning, and leadership advisory services (coaching, assessment, DEI, ESG). Its Keller Pathways sub-brand provides candidate-facing career coaching, resume writing, and LinkedIn optimization.

Product overview

Keller Executive Search is a contingent and retained executive search firm offering a comprehensive talent acquisition ecosystem. The portfolio consists of core executive search and recruitment services (Executive Search & Recruitment, Professional Recruiting, Contract Recruiting, Contract Staffing, RPO) supported by a candidate-facing sub-brand called Keller Pathways. Advisory and consulting services span Leadership (Coaching, Development, Assessment, Outsourcing), Transition Planning (Succession Planning, Interim Executives, Military Transition, Outplacement), and Organizational Health (Business Transformation, Compensation Consulting, Cultural Transformation, DEI, ESG, Workforce Transformation). The offering is a services-based model without a unified software platform; Keller Pathways operates as a separate career coaching and development platform with modules for resume writing, LinkedIn optimization, interview prep, career coaching, and career assessment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Keller Pathways: A career coaching and professional development service offering resume writing, LinkedIn profile optimization, interview preparation, leadership development, and career assessments for job seekers and professionals at all career stages.
• Haldren

Products and services

• Executive Search & Recruitment Core executive search service placing C-suite leaders (CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CTOs, CHROs) and senior leadership through retained and contingent search engagements using a proprietary Precision Search Process methodology. Targeted at enterprises, mid-market firms, startups, nonprofits, and multinationals.
• Contract Recruiting Services Short-term, project-based recruitment service handling job posting, talent sourcing, reference checks, skill assessments, resume screening, initial interviews, salary negotiation, and onboarding support for client organizations.
• Contract Staffing Temporary workforce solution providing pre-vetted contractors for short-term positions with full lifecycle management including payroll, compliance, and contract-to-hire transitions.
• Professional Recruiting Services Mid-to-senior level professional placement service covering permanent, temporary, and contract roles across multiple industries including healthcare, finance, technology, and manufacturing.
• Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Outsourced recruitment function management covering workforce planning, employer branding, candidate sourcing, assessment, interview design, background checks, offer negotiation, onboarding, and technology/ATS integration.
• Talent Acquisition Services Strategic talent acquisition consulting bundling executive search, professional recruitment, RPO, and interim executive placement with focus on cultural alignment and long-term organizational fit.
• Talent Mapping Market intelligence and competitive talent mapping service providing insights into talent landscapes, salary benchmarks, and competitor talent positioning.
• Interim Executives Temporary executive placement service providing experienced leaders for transitional periods, projects, or leadership gaps.
• Outplacement Services Career transition support services for departing employees including job search assistance, resume optimization, and interview coaching.
• Succession Planning Leadership continuity planning identifying and developing high-potential internal talent for future executive roles.
• Military Transition Recruiting Specialized recruitment support for veterans transitioning to civilian executive roles, matching military leadership experience with corporate needs.
• Leadership Coaching One-on-one executive coaching to develop leadership capabilities, improve management effectiveness, and address specific performance objectives.
• Leadership Development Structured leadership growth programs building strategic thinking, team management, and executive presence for current and aspiring leaders.
• Executive Leadership Assessment Comprehensive behavioral and competency evaluation of executive candidates including personality insights and cultural fit analysis.
• Keller Pathways (Career Services Platform) Career advancement platform under the Keller Pathways sub-brand offering resume writing, LinkedIn profile optimization, interview preparation, career coaching, leadership development, and career assessment services for job seekers and candidates at all career stages.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92% of searches end in a successful hire
• +3 more outcomes

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• NPAworldwidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNPAworldwide is a global executive search network that provides Keller Executive Search with access to 500 member firms, 1,362 global partners, and placement capability for 14,700 executive positions annually. This partnership enables the firm to identify passive candidates and conduct international searches across 71+ countries. The relationship provides expanded talent pools and market intelligence for executive placements.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Robert Half International: Large publicly-traded staffing and talent solutions firm spanning contract staffing, professional recruiting, and executive search-adjacent services; comparable to Keller's broader staffing, recruiting, and RPO offerings at much greater scale.
• Spencer Stuart: One of the largest global executive search firms with deep board and C-suite coverage across industries; comparable to Keller's C-suite/board focus but operates at materially greater scale and brand recognition with offices in 30+ countries.
• Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm combining executive search with RPO, talent acquisition, leadership development, and organizational consulting — the broadest portfolio peer to Keller across search, RPO, and advisory services.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Publicly traded global executive search and leadership advisory firm serving similar C-suite and senior leadership mandates across verticals; overlaps directly with Keller's executive search, leadership consulting, and on-demand/interim offerings.

Direct peers

• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm focused on senior leadership and board placements across industries and geographies; directly comparable to Keller's core retained/contingent executive search service with similar C-suite mandate coverage.
• Boyden: Global executive search firm with a member-based regional partner model similar in spirit to Keller's NPAworldwide approach; directly competes for the same C-suite and senior leadership mandates.
• Egon Zehnder: Privately-held international executive search and leadership advisory firm; analogous mid-sized peer to Keller with a research-led search process and emphasis on cultural fit — same primary service line and client profile.
• Odgers Berndtson: International executive search firm with strong operations across the U.S., U.K., and Continental Europe; directly analogous to Keller in serving multinational C-suite mandates with cross-border capability.
• DHR International: Mid-sized global executive search firm specializing in C-suite and senior-level placements across multiple verticals; closest mid-market peer to Keller in service mix and target client profile.

Emerging players

• Insight Global: Large-scale staffing and talent solutions provider with growing executive search, RPO, and consulting practices; adjacent peer competing for overlapping talent acquisition and contract staffing mandates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/keller-executive-search-international
• Xx.com/KellerSearch
• Facebookfacebook.com/kellerexecutivesearch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Keller Executive Search