Executive Search – recruiting leaders

Through Executive Search, we identify, engage and recruit leaders and key professionals for business-critical roles. We combine targeted search and thorough market mapping with a strong, continually evolving network to reach the most relevant candidates, including those who are not actively looking for a new role. With a deep understanding of your business, strategy and culture, we challenge the role requirements where needed and assess the fit between each candidate’s capabilities, motivations and leadership style and your organisation. Our goal is a successful appointment that creates lasting business value. Med djup förståelse för er affär, strategi och kultur utmanar vi kravprofilen när det behövs och säkerställer rätt matchning mellan kompetens, drivkrafter, ledarskap och organisation. Målet är inte bara en framgångsrik rekrytering, utan en person som skapar långsiktigt affärsvärde.

Head Agent Executive Search in numbers

15+
Years of experience
4000+
Completed placements
+84
Client satisfaction (NPS)
25
Consultants
Every appointment is an important business decision. Through close collaboration and informed advice, we help our clients choose the right person. Our figures reflect the experience we have built and the trust our clients place in us. Being named Executive Search Firm of the Year 2025 and the Nordic winner of Best Candidate Experience at the CXP Awards 2026 are recognitions we are both proud of and grateful for.

Read the jury’s citation for Executive Search Firm of the Year 2025 Link
Read more about the CXP Awards Link

What is Executive Search?

Executive Search is a targeted recruitment approach primarily used to appoint senior leaders, executives and professionals in business-critical roles. Unlike recruitment that relies mainly on job advertising, it involves actively mapping the market to identify, approach and engage the most relevant candidates, including those who are not actively seeking a new role.

The approach is particularly valuable when the required expertise is difficult to find, the role is critical to the business or the recruitment process needs to remain confidential.

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Executive Search with Head Agent

Head Agent specializes in recruiting leaders and specialists for positions that have a direct impact on business performance. We work closely with our clients to understand both what the role needs to achieve and the leadership qualities, experience, and drive required to succeed.

In every assignment, we combine our established network with targeted market mapping. We take a broad approach and are not afraid to challenge conventional thinking – experience from the exact same industry or position is not always what delivers the best results. What truly matters is a candidate’s ability to create value within your specific business context.

Skills and experience, however, are only part of the match. We also assess leadership style, motivations, and values to ensure the candidate is the right fit for the role, the organization, and its culture.

Our approach has also been recognized through the awards Executive Search Company of the Year 2025 and Winner Best Candidate Experience 2026, where we were named the Nordic winner. Two recognitions we are both proud of and grateful for.

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Benefits of Executive Search

Executive Search combines systematic market mapping, direct outreach, and in-depth candidate assessment. This approach allows us to reach leaders who are not actively looking for a new opportunity and provides a solid foundation for making informed, business-critical hiring decisions.

Map the relevant talent market
Structured market mapping provides access to a broader pool of candidates and enables a thorough comparison of the most relevant profiles in the market.
Reach passive candidates
The most relevant candidates are not always actively looking for a new opportunity. Through targeted search, we reach leaders and specialists who need to be identified and approached directly.
Greater precision in hiring
For business-critical hires, candidates are evaluated not only on their skills and experience, but also on their leadership qualities, motivations, potential, and cultural fit.
Confidential recruitment
Executive Search is well suited for both public and confidential recruitment assignments, particularly when a hiring need cannot or should not be openly communicated to the market.

Why Head Agent?

With business insight, clear advice and the confidence to challenge, we help you find a leader who can make a difference. We are personally invested in your success, take ownership of the process and stay close when you need us.

Business first
We want to understand where your business is heading and what your new leader needs to achieve. Your strategy, the role’s authority, owners’ expectations and executive team dynamics help us define the assignment. Together, we distinguish between impressive credentials and the experience, capabilities and motivations that matter for success.
We challenge
We bring our own perspective and speak openly about what we see. That may mean rethinking the role requirements, introducing an unexpected candidate or raising a concern about a favourite. We explain our assessments and discuss them with you. You gain an adviser who helps you see more possibilities and make an informed decision.
Focused search
Our established network and targeted market mapping give us access to relevant leaders, including those not looking for a new role. Engaging them takes an informed conversation about your business, the role’s authority and the opportunity to make an impact. We invest in that dialogue and in understanding what would motivate the right person to make a move.
Close partnership
You gain a committed partner who understands the assignment and is there when important decisions need to be made. We lead the process, give clear advice and address difficult questions openly. By showing candidates the same care, we build trust in you as an employer. Our commitment continues through the start of employment and follow-up.

Executive Search

We recruit leaders and senior specialists through Executive Search across the following functions:
Executive Management
Jesper och Anna som rekryterar specialister inom försäljning.
Commercial & Sales
Jesper och Andrea som arbetar med rekrytering inom marknadsföring
Marketing
Cissi, Pontus och Wille som leder herobild för transformation och innovation
Transformation & Innovation
Product & Tech
Vicki, Sara och Marika, experter på affärsutveckling hos Head Agent
Business Development
HR, Finance & Law

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Executive Search

1. What is Executive Search?

Executive Search is a recruitment method used to identify and appoint executives, leaders and other key professionals through proactive search and market mapping.


2. When should you use Executive Search?

Executive Search is particularly suited to business-critical leadership and specialist roles, hard-to-fill positions and assignments where the right candidate is unlikely to be actively looking for a new role.

3. How does Executive Search differ from traditional recruitment?

Executive Search involves actively mapping the market and approaching relevant candidates directly. The process therefore does not depend on who applies or responds to a job advertisement. What roles does Head Agent recruit for through

4. What roles does Head Agent recruit for through Executive Search?

We recruit CEOs, executive team members, managers and senior specialists across leadership, sales, marketing, business development, transformation, product and technology, as well as HR, finance and legal.

5. Can an Executive Search be conducted confidentially?

Yes. Executive Search is well suited to confidential
appointments where the role or the company’s identity cannot be disclosed publicly in the early stages.

6. How long does an Executive Search process take?

From the initial briefing to the presentation of candidates, the process typically takes around four to five weeks. The overall timeline varies depending on the client and the specific assignment.

7. How does Head Agent assess candidates?

We assess candidates’ relevant experience and capabilities, alongside their leadership, motivations, potential and values. We also consider how well they fit your organisation’s culture and the context in which they will work.

Selected partnerships

We are proud to be a long-term recruitment partner to companies across industries and stages of growth. Here are some of the clients who have chosen Head Agent for Executive Search to fill business-critical roles.

PostNord
Business Sweden
EF Education First
Circle K
Swedbank
If Skadeförsäkring AB
Telenor Sverige AB
Ahlsell
Airpelago
Hultafors Group
Holistic Sweden
TV4 AB
Signicat AB
Spendrups Bryggeri AB
Swish
Scania Group
Accessy
Perrigo Nordic

Executive Advisory

Explore Our Advisory Services:

Process

How we approach Executive Search

1. Assignment briefing

We begin each assignment by working with you to develop a clear, detailed role specification. We define the role’s authority, responsibilities and key tasks, alongside the capabilities and personal attributes required. Our competency and behavioural framework helps establish a shared understanding of what is needed.

2. Search and market mapping

Using the role specification, we map the market to identify the most suitable candidates. We combine our established network with targeted search for your assignment. During an initial telephone interview, we introduce your organisation and the role, then assess each candidate’s experience and motivation.

3. Workshop

Midway through the process, we hold a workshop with you to review the direction of the search. We discuss candidate profiles, confirm our approach and identify any adjustments needed. This also gives us an opportunity to introduce alternative profiles and deepen our understanding of your needs.

4. Assessment

We invite the most relevant candidates to an in-depth interview. Using a competency-based approach, we assess their capabilities, personality, motivations and fit with your culture. This provides a clear, nuanced picture ahead of the next stage.

5. Candidate presentation

We present at least three carefully selected candidates who match the role specification and recommend whom you should meet for further assessment. We coordinate interviews and maintain regular contact with candidates to sustain their interest and engagement.

6. Verification

We always take two to three references for the final candidate to validate our assessment. Where needed, we also conduct assessments using tools from providers such as Assessio, Hogan and cut-e, in which our consultants are certified.

7. Appointment and follow-up

We support you through negotiations and signing, and provide feedback to everyone we have been in contact with during the process. After three months, we follow up with both you and the appointed candidate to review progress and ensure expectations are being met.

Madeleine Celander
Director Executive Search
+46 73-020 93 00
Mail
Head Agent har i vårt samarbete varit mycket följsamma och lyhörda utifrån vår rekryteringsprocess. De har på ett kompetent sätt valt ut kandidater utifrån vår kravprofil och vi har sedan tillsammans drivit rekryteringen i mål. Jag känner mig trygg med att de förstår våra önskemål och med det sätt på vilket de kommunicerat och informerat - oss som beställare och våra kandidater.”
- Bo de Besche, Chef kund och marknad på Vasakronan
Ni har en snabb förmåga i att sätta er in i vår bransch, vårt bolag och det behov vi har kopplat till kompetens. Ni gör det på ett väldigt professionellt och effektivt sätt genom er tydliga process och att ni inte ger upp när det kommer utmaningar. Jag har varit nöjd med samtliga rekryteringar som jag har gjort med hjälp av er!”
- Therese Ahlström Brodowsky, Chief Commercial Officer på KP Energy
Det senaste året har jag både blivit rekryterat till ett nytt jobb och själv rekryterat två nya medarbetare genom Head Agent. Processen med Head Agent har varit smidig från start till slut. Vi fick en tydlig tidsplan som höll hela vägen. Min kontakt var väldigt lyhörd och mån om att förstå vilka krav och önskemål vi hade kring rollen. Inte bara gällande kvalifikation och erfarenhet utan även kring personligheten. Head Agent har ett stort nätverk inom DVH och har tagit fram starka kandidater. Jag är väldigt nöjd och kan bara rekommendera Head Agent. ”
- Andreas Edhäll, Head of Category Development & Commercial strategies på Spendrups

Looking to recruit a leader or key professional?

Tell us about your hiring needs, and let’s discuss the role, the market and how we can help you find the right person.

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