Retained Executive Search Services
Unlocking top talent and securing exceptional leadershipWinning the Talent War
“The scarcest resource in the world right now is not capital—it’s talent.” – Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb
“Acquiring the right talent is the most important key to growth. Hiring was—and still is—the most important thing we do.” – Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce
The global talent war is more intense than ever, with 74% of employers struggling to find skilled professionals (ManpowerGroup, 2024). Executive talent scarcity is a pressing challenge, as nearly 70% of executives believe their organizations lack the leadership pipeline needed for future growth (Deloitte, 2023).
At Cornerstone International Group, we understand that exceptional leadership is the key to sustained success. As a premier executive search firm with deep expertise, we specialize in identifying and securing top-tier leadership talent in an increasingly competitive landscape. As one of the top retained executive search firms in India, we bring decades of experience to senior-level recruitment.
Our strategic search approach goes beyond traditional hiring methods—we tap into exclusive networks, industry insiders, and passive candidates who are not actively seeking new roles but possess the vision, expertise, and leadership acumen to drive transformation. With our global reach and deep market intelligence, we ensure that your organization gains access to the right leaders who can navigate disruption, fuel innovation, and deliver long-term impact.
Why Choose Cornerstone International Group India?
- Global & Local Expertise
35+ years worldwide, 20+ years in India, delivering top executive talent.
- Proven Executive Search
Successfully placing CXOs, senior leaders, and board executives across industries. Recognized among the best retained executive search firms for delivering high-impact talent solutions.
- Access to Passive Talent
Connecting you with high-impact leaders beyond active job seekers.
- Industry-Specific Specialization
Deep market insights for precise executive hiring.
- Confidential & Strategic Hiring
Handling high-stakes placements with discretion.
- Tailored & Consultative Approach
Customized solutions for long-term leadership success.
- Trusted by Global Businesses
Partnering with Fortune 500 firms and high-growth companies. We are proud to be counted among the best retained executive search firms trusted for board and CXO-level recruitment.
- Beyond Recruitment
Expertise in succession planning, talent retention, and leadership advisory.
Find leaders who drive success.
Our Proven Executive Search Methodology
Client Briefing
We listen and probe to gain a thorough understanding of the client’s business, culture, future expectations and a 360-degree view of the mandate, which helps us conduct a meticulous search and assign the right targets.
Search Strategy
Devising a perfect search strategy is key to success. We thoroughly exploit our proprietary tools, research records, networks, and contacts to accurately prepare a list of target industries and companies and come up with a long list of potential candidates relevant to the mandate.
Shortlisting & Presentation
Our Consultant narrows down the search and come up with a shortlist of suitable profiles after completing the assessments of the qualified candidates. The dossiers of the short-listed candidates are then shared with the client.
Client Interview & Feedback
We facilitate in scheduling the interviews for the candidates with client teams and later on, our Consultant takes the feedback from both parties to help bridge any communication gap. Many clients invite us to join the interviews for better outcomes.
The Offer Stage
Once the client zeroes in on a successful candidate, background verification using third-party and reference checks are performed. We then assist you in the negotiation process to release the offer letter to the handpicked candidate.
Onboarding & Post-joining Review
Onboarding the candidate is vital to completing the search. Yet, we do not stop there. At Cornerstone, our Consultant goes one step further to effect a smooth transition by keeping in touch with both the client and the candidate during the first year of the latter’s service. We conduct client satisfaction surveys to upgrade our performance for the future.
Want to see how our executive search process works?
Here’s our Value-Add Services
Executive Onboarding
This is a specialised, stand-alone service designed for critical and very high-impact leadership roles and covers a structured process for each mandate. At Cornerstone, we partner with PrimeGenesis, a global leader in providing Onboarding services to deliver tailored onboarding programs that significantly reduce the risk of executive failure.
Recent studies indicate that nearly 50% of newly appointed leaders underperform or fail within the first 18 months due to challenges like unclear expectations, cultural misalignment, and lack of structured support (Harvard Business Review, 2023). Our onboarding framework is designed to mitigate these risks, reducing leadership failure rates to under 10%.
Our approach ensures that new leaders have the clarity, strategic alignment, and support needed to make an impact quickly. From team integration and stakeholder alignment to strategic planning, we help leaders secure early wins, build credibility, and drive long-term success.
Seamless transitions. Stronger leadership. Greater impact.
Let us help your executives start right.
Unbiased Executive Reference Checks
When organizations conduct internal searches or work with third-party recruiters, they often turn to us for an impartial, in-depth reference check on shortlisted candidates. After securing top leadership talent, it’s essential to verify that executives possess the integrity, credibility, and leadership acumen required for mandates long-term success. This is where our Reference Checks come in—offering a comprehensive unbiased assessment of a candidate’s track record, leadership style, professional reputation and potential fitment for the role.
We conduct in-depth evaluations, examining both professional and personal backgrounds to ensure you make an informed hiring decision. Our rigorous approach guarantees that every candidate’s qualifications, achievements, and reputation align with your organization’s expectations, mitigating risks and reinforcing confidence in your leadership hires.
Ensure thorough vetting for your next executive hire.
Ensure thorough vetting for your next executive hire.
Executive Research & Strategic Talent Mapping
Organisations undergoing restructuring, preparing for leadership transitions, managing confidential searches or expanding globally – through M&A etc. often seek clarity on how their industry peers are structured, what leadership talent is available, and key business insights to inform strategic decisions. Finding the right talent in a global marketplace requires in-depth research and data-driven insights. Our executive research/ talent mapping services provide detailed intelligence on industry trends, competitor benchmarks, and talent availability. By identifying talent pools in targeted regions and industries, we ensure that your leadership search is focused, efficient, and aligned with your business strategy.
Need targeted insights to hire top talent?.
Interim Management
In times of leadership transition or during a critical project, having the right temporary leadership is essential. We offer interim management services, placing experienced professionals who can step into executive roles on a short-term basis. Whether you need a temporary CEO, CFO, or another senior role, our team identifies and places highly skilled leaders who can drive immediate results.
INDUSTRY PRACTICES
Looking for an interim executive?
FAQ’s About Retained Executive Search Firms in India
Retained executive search is a specialized recruitment service used to find top-level executives. In this model, a client engages a search firm exclusively to conduct a targeted and confidential search for senior leadership roles like CEOs, CFOs, and CXOs.
Unlike contingency recruitment, retained executive search is more strategic and exclusive. It involves a long-term partnership, deeper market research, and access to passive candidates. Retained search firms are paid a retainer fee upfront, reflecting the consultative and in-depth nature of the process.
Cornerstone International Group India is one of the top retained executive search firms in India with over 20 years of experience. We specialize in senior-level recruitment, confidential searches, succession planning, and leadership onboarding across industries.
We serve a broad range of industries including BFSI, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, consumer goods, and more. Our senior level recruitment consultants in India bring domain-specific knowledge for precise hiring decisions.
Yes. Our retained executive search methodology focuses on connecting you with high-impact leaders who may not be actively seeking roles but are open to the right opportunity. We tap into exclusive networks and industry insiders to reach these candidates.
Absolutely. As part of the Cornerstone International Group, we have a global presence and deep local insights, enabling us to conduct cross-border leadership searches seamlessly.
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the role, but most retained searches are completed within 8–12 weeks, including briefing, search, evaluation, and onboarding phases.
Simply contact us to schedule a consultation with our senior level recruitment consultants in India. We’ll understand your needs and build a custom search strategy aligned with your business goals.