Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you’re looking to appoint your next executive or take the next step in your career, you’ll find answers to some of our most commonly asked questions below.
For Employers
Executive search gives you access to experienced leaders who may not be actively looking for a new opportunity. It also provides a confidential, strategic approach that saves time while ensuring you’re meeting the highest calibre of candidates.
We specialise in executive appointments across Critical Infrastructure, Integrated Facilities Management, Manufacturing and Industrial. Our consultants have extensive industry experience, allowing us to understand the technical and leadership requirements unique to each sector.
We recruit permanent, interim and contract executives across a broad range of leadership, operational, commercial and technical positions.
While most executive searches are completed within 8–12 weeks, this timeframe allows for comprehensive market mapping, confidential engagement with passive candidates, rigorous assessment and detailed reference checking. Taking the time to conduct a thorough search consistently leads to stronger long-term appointments.
Many of today’s strongest leaders aren’t actively looking for a new role. They’re busy delivering results within successful organisations. In fact, around 70% of executive talent is considered passive, meaning they are unlikely to respond to job advertisements or monitor job boards. Executive search exists to identify, engage and attract these individuals through confidential conversations and trusted relationships, giving organisations access to talent unavailable through traditional recruitment channels.
Yes. Many of the appointments we manage are confidential. We handle every search with discretion and never approach or present candidates without appropriate approvals.
Our consultants proactively approach executives through our extensive industry network, referrals and targeted market research. Many of the leaders we place were not actively looking for a new role when we first contacted them.
Many executive appointments require confidentiality or a highly targeted search. Rather than relying solely on job advertisements, we proactively approach executives whose experience, leadership style and career aspirations align with the role. This gives our clients access to exceptional talent beyond the active job market.
We look beyond skills and experience. We assess leadership capability, communication style, motivation and cultural alignment to ensure a long-term fit for both the organisation and the candidate.
Advertising a role only reaches professionals who are actively looking for their next opportunity. Executive search reaches the passive candidate market, where many of the highest-performing executives are found. Through market mapping, research and confidential outreach, we identify and engage leaders who would never apply for a role but may be open to the right opportunity.
Yes. While Laurence Executive Search specialises in executive search across Australia and New Zealand, our global reach extends far beyond these markets.
As a proud member of the NPAworldwide Recruitment Network, we have access to a trusted network of executive search partners across Asia, Europe, North America and more than 50 countries worldwide. This enables us to identify and secure exceptional leadership talent internationally while maintaining the personalised service and accountability of a locally owned Australian executive search firm.
Whether you’re recruiting locally, expanding internationally or seeking a specialised executive with global experience, we can deliver tailored executive search solutions backed by worldwide expertise.
Our support continues throughout the onboarding process. We maintain regular contact with both the client and candidate to help ensure a successful transition.
We combine more than 80 years of industry experience with deep sector expertise and a relationship-driven approach. Rather than relying on advertisements, we proactively identify and engage exceptional leaders through targeted executive search. Every assignment is tailored to our client’s unique business, culture and long-term objectives, ensuring a thorough, strategic and highly personalised search process.
ur team combines more than 80 years of industry experience with an extensive executive network and a proven search process. We take the time to understand your business so we can deliver leaders who create lasting value.
The Executive Search Process
Traditional recruitment relies heavily on advertising and applications from active job seekers. Executive search proactively identifies, approaches and engages passive candidates who are not actively looking but may be open to the right opportunity. This significantly expands the available talent pool and increases the likelihood of securing exceptional leadership talent.
Executive search is designed to access the passive candidate market, where many of the most accomplished executives and business leaders are found. Research consistently shows that around 70% of top talent is not actively looking for a new role, making traditional job advertising and job boards largely ineffective for senior appointments.
Through detailed market mapping, targeted research and confidential, relationship-driven engagement, executive search identifies and attracts leaders who may not otherwise consider a move. The result is access to a broader, higher-quality talent pool and appointments that deliver long-term organisational value.
Retained executive search is designed for business-critical leadership appointments where securing the right executive is essential. It provides a dedicated, research-led approach focused on identifying, engaging and assessing exceptional talent across the market, including leaders who are not actively seeking a new opportunity.
With a retained partnership, we work closely with our clients throughout the search, providing market insights, regular communication and a tailored strategy to deliver a high-quality shortlist and the best long-term hiring outcome.
Our process includes understanding your business and culture, developing a detailed position profile, researching the market, identifying and assessing candidates, presenting a shortlist, managing interviews, completing reference checks and supporting both parties through to placement.
Through extensive market mapping, industry relationships, referrals and direct engagement with executives who may not currently be considering a career move.
It’s one of the most important parts of our process. Technical skills matter, but long-term success comes from finding leaders who align with your organisation’s values, leadership style and business objectives.
We conduct detailed interviews, comprehensive reference checks and in-depth evaluations of each candidate’s leadership capability, communication style, career motivations and cultural alignment. Our goal is to present candidates who not only have the right experience but are positioned for long-term success within your organisation.
Yes. Communication is a key part of our process. We provide regular progress updates and market insights throughout every assignment.
Many of the executives we successfully place weren’t actively seeking a new opportunity. Our proactive search methodology allows us to connect with exceptional leaders who wouldn’t normally apply for advertised positions.
Rather than presenting a high volume of candidates, we deliver a carefully curated shortlist of executives who have been thoroughly assessed against the technical requirements, leadership capabilities and cultural fit of the role.
About Laurence Executive Search
Laurence is an executive search specialist focused on identifying and placing senior leaders across Critical Infrastructure, Integrated Facilities Management, Manufacturing and Industrial sectors.
LLaurence has offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and recruits executive talent across Australia and New Zealand.
Absolutely. Whether you’re hiring or considering your next career move, we’re always happy to have a confidential discussion.
Simply contact our team or submit an enquiry through our website. We’ll arrange a confidential conversation to discuss your hiring needs or career goals.
No. We believe every successful partnership starts with a conversation. Whether you’re hiring a senior leader or exploring your next career move, we’re happy to provide confidential advice with no obligation.
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