PERSOL CAREER CO., LTD. Executive Agent

What PERSOL CAREER CO., LTD. Executive Agent does

PERSOL CAREER Executive Agent is the executive-search division of PERSOL CAREER Co., Ltd. (TSE: 6098), a publicly listed Japanese HR services company. Founded in 1989 and operating with 137 employees, the firm specializes in placing senior management and executive-level talent — CxO, division heads, department directors, and specialist experts — for enterprise clients across Japan. Its value proposition centers on experienced, industry-specialized consultants who combine understanding of corporate culture with business-challenge diagnostics, and who are positioned to surface latent organizational questions rather than merely fill vacancies.

The firm delivers two service models: a success-based contingency recruitment offering (成功報酬型人材紹介), where placement fees are charged only on successful candidate placement, and a retainer-based executive search (リテーナーサーチ), which provides dedicated consultant engagement for higher-intensity searches. Placements span six industry verticals — IT/Internet, Manufacturing, Consumer Services, Finance, Medical/Healthcare, and Real Estate/Construction/Energy — and concentrate in candidate compensation bands of ¥10-12M (41.5% of placements), with smaller tails at ¥8-9M (15.6%), ¥13-14M (10.5%), ¥15-20M (13.1%), and ¥20M+ (3.6%). The firm does not operate a proprietary technology platform; its delivery model is consultant-led, relationship-driven executive recruiting.

Distribution is exclusively direct-to-enterprise via seven physical offices across Japan: the Azabudai headquarters (Tokyo), plus Kioi-cho (Tokyo), Osaka/Kansai, Sendai/Tohoku, Nagoya/Chubu, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka/Kyushu offices. Marketing relies on corporate website, a thought-leadership 'Voice' interview series, and earned-media positioning including the BizReach JAPAN HEADHUNTER AWARDS 2026 Trading Company Department MVP award. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and operates on quote-based engagement terms.

Name

PERSOL CAREER CO., LTD. Executive Agent

Legal name

パーソルキャリア株式会社 (PERSOL CAREER Co., Ltd.)

Website

https://executive-agt.jp

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

PERSOL CAREER Executive Agent is the executive-search division of PERSOL CAREER Co., Ltd. (TSE: 6098), placing CxO, director, and specialist talent for Japanese enterprise clients across six industry verticals via seven national offices and consultant-led retainer and contingency engagements.

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

Executive & Leadership Direct Hire (BPACAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

General Permanent Placement (Multi-Industry) (BPACAFAA), Professional & Technical Direct Hire (IT, Engineering, Finance, Healthcare) (BPACAFAC)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• Headhunting services
• Talent recruitment
• Executive placement
• Leadership hiring

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo (Azabudai)

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. 成功報酬型人材紹介 (Success-Based Contingency Recruitment): Placement fee is charged upon successful candidate placement. This is a performance-based model where the fee is contingent on successfully filling the position.
2. リテナーサーチ (Retainer-Based Executive Search): Engagement based on a retainer fee model for more intensive executive search services, providing dedicated consulting support throughout the search process.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

PERSOL CAREER Executive Agent is a specialized executive search firm providing talent introduction services focused exclusively on executive-level positions (CxO, department heads, senior specialists) for enterprise clients in Japan. Services are delivered through two engagement models: success-based contingency recruitment where fees are charged upon successful placement, and retainer-based executive search where clients engage the firm upfront for dedicated consulting support. The firm operates across six industry verticals including IT/Internet, Manufacturing, Consumer Services, Finance, Medical/Healthcare, and Real Estate/Construction/Energy.

Product overview

PERSOL CAREER Executive Agent is a specialized executive recruitment service that offers two types of executive search solutions: success-based recruitment (成功報酬型人材紹介) and retainer search (リテーダーサーチ). The company focuses on placing executives at CxO, department head, and specialist levels across diverse industries including IT/Internet, Manufacturing, Consumer Services, Finance, Medical/Healthcare, and Real Estate/Construction/Energy sectors. Services are delivered through a network of seven offices across Japan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Executive Agent Service (EAS): Executive executive search service offered in two formats: success-based placement and retainer-based search.

Products and services

• Success-Based Contingency Recruitment (成功報酬型人材紹介)

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Michael Page Japan: Part of PageGroup, Michael Page Japan runs a sizeable executive and senior management placement practice. Comparable in offering breadth, dual contingency/retainer model, and enterprise client focus across multiple industries.
• Robert Walters Japan: Operates a dedicated Japan executive search practice placing mid-to-senior managers across multiple industries. Closely comparable in service model (contingency and retainer), target segment (Japanese enterprise clients), and multi-vertical coverage.
• RGF Executive Search Japan (Recruit): Executive search arm of Recruit Holdings in Japan, competing directly for C-suite and senior management mandates. Backed by Japan's largest HR/recruitment group, making it a formidable domestic peer.
• JAC Recruitment: Japan-headquartered recruitment firm focused on mid-to-senior management and specialist placements across multiple industries. Directly comparable in target segment, multi-industry coverage, and dual contingency/retainer service.
• Hays Japan: Global recruiter with established Japan operations covering mid-to-senior permanent placements across multiple verticals. Similar enterprise-targeting model and dual contingency/retainer engagement.

Broad incumbents

• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search firm with established Tokyo presence targeting CEO, board, and senior executive mandates. Comparable on executive-level search but with global network and broader advisory services.
• Korn Ferry: Global executive search and organizational consulting giant with deep Japan presence. Competes for the same C-suite mandates but offers broader services (assessment, RPO, advisory), positioning it as a broader incumbent rather than direct boutique competitor.
• Egon Zehnder: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with Japan practice. Comparable on senior-level executive mandates; broader portfolio (board advisory, leadership assessment) places it as an incumbent.
• Spencer Stuart: Leading global executive search firm with Tokyo office serving Japanese boards on CEO and director searches. Comparable on C-suite focus but operates at significantly larger scale and with global reach the subject company lacks.

Others

• BizReach (HRMOS): Operates Japan's leading direct-recruitment platform for executives and runs the JAPAN HEADHUNTER AWARDS (which awarded the subject company). Functions as both an indirect competitor (in-sourcing tools for clients) and a partner/feeder channel for traditional search firms.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/persolcareer-executiveagent

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 PERSOL CAREER CO., LTD. Executive Agent