Partner

What Partner does

PARTNER Executive is an Australian executive search and advisory firm specialising in retained senior leadership placements. Founded in 2023, the firm operates from offices in Perth (Subiaco Village, 531 Hay St) and Sydney (Level 35, Tower One International Towers, Barangaroo), serving enterprise and Tier 1 clients across the country. Its client base spans mining and resources (BHP, Rio Tinto, Fortescue, Pilbara Minerals, Lynas, Newcrest, Hancock Prospecting), engineering and infrastructure (AECOM, Aurecon, GHD, Jacobs), aviation (Perth Airport), energy (ENGIE), government (WA Government) and non-profit/healthcare sectors.

The firm's service suite covers Executive Search (8-12 week process for C-Suite, Managing Director, President/VP and Global Head roles), Retained Senior Management Recruitment (6-8 weeks for Regional Manager, State Manager, Commercial Manager and Technical Director roles), Board Search, Interim Management placements, and Benchmarking and Assessment of Existing Talent including in-house psychometric and capability testing. Underlying technology is limited — there is no proprietary platform disclosed, with the firm relying on data analytics and standard psychometric tools rather than a differentiated technology stack. The four founding directors are Caitlin Iustini, Gregor McNally, Matthew Iustini and Luke Iustini, supported by a Head of Research (Maja Kuzmanoski, formerly of Korn Ferry), a Principal (Jack Stanton), and an Operations & Engagement Manager (Laura Brown).

Revenue is generated through a retained professional services model with quote-based pricing tailored to role seniority and search scope. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales from the Perth and Sydney offices, supported by content marketing (the PARTNER Perspectives blog), LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and industry event engagement. The firm differentiates on diversity credentials (40:40 Vision, CEOs for Gender Equity, RCSA membership with APR accreditation) and RCSA Western Australian Regional Council representation, positioning itself as a values-led alternative to traditional executive search firms.

Name

Partner

Legal name

PARTNER

Website

https://partnerexecutive.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PARTNER Executive is an Australian retained executive search firm founded in 2023, placing C-Suite, board and senior management candidates for enterprise clients across mining, resources, infrastructure, government and healthcare from offices in Perth and Sydney.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Search and Leadership Advisory

NAICS

Executive Search Services (561312), Management Consulting Services (54161)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Confidential/Replacement & Succession Search (BPACAAAK)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• Senior management recruitment
• Board advisory services
• Leadership assessment
• Interim management placement

Headquarters

HQ city

North Bridge

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Executive Search (Retained): PARTNER operates on a retained search model, charging clients for dedicated executive search engagements. Services include Executive Search (8-12 week process for C-Suite and Board roles), Retained Senior Management Recruitment (6-8 week process), Board Search, and Interim Management placements.
2. Assessment and Benchmarking Services: Additional revenue is derived from benchmarking and assessment of existing talent, and in-house psychometric and capability testing to de-risk the recruitment process.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

PARTNER Executive is a retained executive search and advisory firm that places senior leaders into C-Suite, Board, Managing Director, General Manager, and senior management roles for enterprise clients across Australia. Its integrated offering covers Executive Search (8-12 week process), Retained Senior Management Recruitment (6-8 week process), Board Search, Interim Management, Benchmarking and Assessment of existing talent, and in-house Psychometric and Capability Assessment to de-risk hiring.

Product overview

PARTNER is an executive search and leadership recruitment firm offering a unified suite of talent acquisition services. The core offering consists of Executive Search for C-Suite and senior leadership positions, Retained Senior Management Recruitment for management-level roles, Board Search for governance positions, Interim Management for temporary leadership needs, Benchmarking and Assessment of Existing Talent for organizational planning, and In-House Psychometric and Capability Assessment for candidate evaluation. These services work together as an integrated recruitment solution, from identifying executive talent to assessing candidate fit, delivered through a commitment to diversity, ethics, and integrity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Executive Search Specialised retained recruitment service targeting senior leadership roles including C-Suite, Managing Director, President/Vice President, and Global Head positions for enterprise clients. Assignments follow an eight to twelve week process focused on identifying and securing top-tier executive talent.
• Retained Senior Management Recruitment Comprehensive retained recruitment service for senior management positions such as Regional Manager, State Manager, Service Group Leader, Commercial Manager, and Technical Director. Includes candidate assessment and strength/weakness analysis, delivered through a six to eight week assignment process.
• Board Search Specialised service to find and develop future-ready board members who are open to transforming corporate cultures and championing diversity. Candidates are matched with company vision, strategy, and governance requirements.
• Interim Management Search and assessment service for high-calibre candidates to accommodate short-term management gaps while longer-term strategies are being consolidated.
• Benchmarking and Assessment of Existing Talent Executive evaluations and data-driven benchmarking to help companies plan times of transition, future-proof strategic vision, and ensure leadership development processes are in place.
• In-House Psychometric and Capability Assessment In-house psychometric testing to ensure clients build optimal team combinations. Comprehensive testing and analysis works to de-risk the recruitment process by identifying the best candidate for both the role and the team.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supported placement of executives across ASX-listed and major private companies in Australia with over 60 named client organisations
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 40:40 VisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPARTNER supports the 40:40 Vision, an investor-led initiative to see women fill 40% of executive roles in ASX200 listed companies by 2030. The partnership aligns with PARTNER's diversity-first approach to executive search and reflects its commitment to driving structural change at the highest levels of corporate Australia.
• CEOs for Gender EquitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPARTNER is an engaged member of CEOs for Gender Equity, which aims to accelerate equity in Western Australia by inspiring and supporting CEOs to take action on gender equality. PARTNER Director Caitlin Iustini works directly with this organisation.
• Ronald McDonald HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEach of PARTNER's four founders is aligned with Ronald McDonald House charities, a non-profit providing accommodation and support for families of seriously ill children.
• Zonta HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEach of PARTNER's four founders is aligned with Zonta House, a refuge and support service for women and children escaping domestic violence.
• Future Female Leaders ProgrammeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPARTNER Director Caitlin Iustini mentors female Year 11 students in business through the Future Female Leaders programme, supporting the development of future female leadership talent.
• Recruitment, Consulting and Staffing Association (RCSA)coreOthersPARTNER and its principals are members of the RCSA, with some team members holding APR (Accredited Professional Recruiter) status. Luke Iustini and Caitlin Iustini are elected members of the RCSA Western Australian Regional Council. Gregor McNally is an APR-accredited professional recruiter.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Egon Zehnder: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm. Competes on senior executive and board mandates; known for leadership assessment and succession advisory analogous to PARTNER's psychometric capabilities.
• Spencer Stuart: Global retained executive search firm specialising in board, CEO, and senior executive appointments. A direct competitor with comparable methodology and client base in mining/resources and infrastructure.
• Boyden: Global executive search firm with strong presence in industrial, mining, and natural resources. Direct competitor on retained C-suite and senior leadership mandates, particularly in Australia and APAC.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search firm with deep expertise in board, CEO, and senior leadership placements. Competes head-to-head with PARTNER on retained C-suite mandates, particularly in industrial, mining, and infrastructure verticals.
• Korn Ferry: Global executive search and organisational consulting leader with a CEO & Board Practice. Direct competitor on retained C-suite and board mandates; PARTNER's Head of Research Maja Kuzmanoski previously worked at Korn Ferry, indicating direct talent and methodology overlap.
• Odgers Berndtson: Global executive search firm with significant Australia/APAC presence. Competes on retained senior executive mandates across multiple sectors including resources, infrastructure, and government.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global retained executive search firm with strong sector coverage in industrial, natural resources, and financial services. A direct competitor for senior executive and board placements in the mining/resources sector where PARTNER is strong.

Regional players

• Cripps Sears Executive Search: Australian boutique executive search firm with focus on board and senior executive appointments. Regional peer competing for similar mining/resources, infrastructure, and ASX-listed client mandates.
• Watermark Search International: Australia-based executive search firm focused on C-suite and senior executive appointments. Direct regional competitor with overlapping mining/resources and infrastructure coverage and similar retained model.

Broad incumbents

• Robert Half: Global staffing and talent solutions firm with significant Australia presence. Overlaps with PARTNER on professional and managerial placements, though less specialised in C-suite and board retained search.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/partnerexecutive
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/partnerexecutive
• Instagraminstagram.com/partnerexecutive

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Partner