If you’re looking to take the next step in your career and transition into executive leadership or you're a business looking to fill a C-suite role within your organisation, Talenza’s Executive Search may be the perfect next step. Our process is built around understanding both what your business needs and a candidate's career history, their specialisations and their future aspirations. We utilise our network to connect candidates to the perfect role. 

As Talenza’s Director of Client Engagement, Simon Costa, explains, “Most people have worked hands-on in technical or project roles (like a developer or architect or BA), before eventually stepping into leadership positions such as a GM or C-suite role”. 

With this gradual transition into executive leadership, we understand that a candidate’s knowledge base needs to expand to focus more on greater business impacts and that the process of obtaining this type of role might be different to what the candidate has experienced before. 

Talenza’s Executive Search process aims to support candidates and business through every step of the process. 

Why Choose Career Progression with Talenza? 

For many, advancing their career to the C-suite level can feel like the next natural step in their journey. 

“For some candidates, it’s the power and influence that comes with a senior position, the ability to shape change and transform an organisation.”

However, bridging that gap isn’t always a simple step forward. 

The first hurdle in moving into an executive role is navigating the recruitment process, which can be different to what candidates have experienced previously. At Talenza, we offer comprehensive support, including understanding market insights, career coaching and resume preparation. We also leverage our extensive network to find new opportunities, which, as Simon notes, can be crucial, especially in niche industries. 

“At this level, it’s about knowing the right recruiter or having a really good network. The volume of work for executives is smaller, making it highly competitive.” 

We understand that everyone’s career paths and progression are different, and no matter what pace you want to progress, our team can help. 

“Career evolution can be quick or slow depending on personal goals. Some leaders are ambitious and seek rapid advancement, while others evolve more gradually.” 

How Talenza’s Executive Hiring Process Works

Talenza’s Executive Search process was designed to be flexible and responsive to client requirements, allowing us to accommodate even the tightest timeframes. Typically, the standard recruiting process for C-suite roles follows these steps. 

Briefing Process - Our team will receive a briefing for an executive role that a business is looking to fill. We will then interview key stakeholders in the business about the position and will develop a skills matrix for the role.

Market Mapping - The team then conducts extensive market mapping exercises to identify potential candidates and gain insights into talent availability, industry trends and emerging leadership profiles.   

Go Live - Following this research, we will launch a co-branded job ad along with a co-branded candidate pack, where agreed.

Search Process & Long List Development - Our team then begins conducting extensive conversations with our extended network of contacts to produce a recommended longlist of potential candidates. Our team will then interview these candidates. 

• Shortlist Supplied: For each suitable candidate, our team will put together a shortlist including a career summary, level of experience competency, desired career next steps, expected remuneration and notice periods.   
• Shortlist Meetings: We then select candidates from the shortlist to proceed to the interview process. 

Interview Process - Our interview process is typically undertaken alongside the client/business looking to fill the role and consists of three to four stages of interviews. The final interview also includes a cultural fit interview, which involves the client and their Talent Acquisition team.

• Testing: The exact format of the formal testing process is client dependent, but includes a minimum of psychometric testing.
• Reference Checking: Our team will check all given references and review test results. 

Offer and onboarding: Our team stays engaged throughout the offer and onboarding process to ensure a smooth transition and that communication is maintained between the candidate and the business for the initial commencement period.

What Support Can Candidates Expect 

For those looking to advance their career in executive roles, Talenza’s Executive Search process offers a variety of supportive functions to help make the transition as easy as possible. 

Role Overview - We provide a detailed breakdown of the potential role, including responsibilities, expectations and how the role aligns with the company’s overall goals.

Company Insight -  Our team offers insights into a company’s culture, leadership style, key projects and any challenges or opportunities the executive may face.

Interview Preparation - We then coach candidates on how to present their skills, focusing on leadership qualities, strategy formulation and aligning their experience with the C-suite role.

Market Insight - We provide all candidates with market trends, industry benchmarks and salary expectations to give potential executives a broader understanding of their position in the market.

Networking - Lastly, we utilise our network to connect executives with potential mentors or peers who may help them gather additional insights on the role or industry. 

Market Insights for Executive Roles 

At Talenza, we take the time to understand what matters most to current executives to help future candidates gain an understanding of what to expect from the market. 

Our 2024 Tech Talent Outlook Survey revealed that a significant proportion of executives are currently embracing hybrid models. Nearly a third (29%) work from home three days a week, while nearly a quarter (24%) work from home two days a week. This data highlights the increasing acceptance of flexible working arrangements for those in C-suite roles. 

Our survey also highlighted the importance of work-life balance for executives. Maintaining a healthy equilibrium between personal and professional commitments is currently a priority for 17% of executive respondents.

In terms of salary, for executives who moved roles in the previous 12 months, 16% saw a salary increase of more than 20%, 19% experienced no change and 13% experienced a salary decrease.

The Executive Search market is also currently quite niche and small in comparison to standard specialisms, meaning there is less demand fluctuation and networking is highly important.

Salaries and rates

Ready to expand your career to an executive role?

At Talenza, we’re proud to help guide leaders across a wide range of industries in their career journeys, from specialist roles to C-suite positions. While the path to an executive role can span a 10 - 15 year career journey, we also understand some candidates look to accelerate this timeline through continuous learning and strategic company moves.

Whether you’re a candidate looking for assistance taking that big leap or a business looking to find the perfect person to fill your executive role, Talenza’s Executive Search team is here to help. 

If you’re interested in learning more about potential executive roles in different industries, download our Salary Guide here. 

If you’re ready to take that next step or fill that role, get in touch with us to learn more about how Talenza’s Executive Search can help you. 

Peter from Melbourne

Jacob from Sydney

Rory from Brisbane