Retained executive search for life sciences leadership
A Head of Regulatory Affairs, a QPPV or a site Quality lead is not a hire you want to leave to whoever happens to see an advert. The people who could do the job well are usually busy doing it somewhere else, and they only move when someone takes the time to explain why they should.
That is the part we do. We run senior appointments as a retained executive search, with one consultant who owns the search from the first briefing through to the candidate’s first day. For specialist roles where a full search isn’t needed, we also work on a standard permanent basis.
Why a retained executive search
In most life sciences functions the shortlist you need is not sitting on a job board. A QPPV has legal responsibilities under the EU’s Good Pharmacovigilance Practices, a Qualified Person signs off batches, and a Head of Regulatory Affairs carries your submissions. There are only so many people who have done those jobs well.
A retained executive search gives us the time and the commitment to find them. We map the whole market rather than the people who happen to be looking this month, and you get a consultant working on your role every week until it is filled.
It also changes the conversation with candidates. When we call someone about a retained search, we can tell them who the client is, why the role exists and what the next three years look like, which is what a senior person needs to hear before they will take a call seriously.
How a search runs
1. The briefing. We start with a proper conversation about the role, who it reports to, the package, and what a good hire actually looks like a year in. The job description is a starting point, not the brief.
2. Mapping the market. We work out which companies and teams have the people you need, across whichever countries are in scope, and agree the target list with you before we approach anyone.
3. Approaching people. We contact candidates directly and in confidence, interview them ourselves, and check references and right to work before anyone reaches your inbox.
4. The shortlist. Usually three or four people, each with a short written note from us on why they fit, what is motivating them, what they are likely to expect, and how long their notice is.
5. Interviews and offer. We arrange the interviews and handle the offer.
We then stay close to the candidate through their resignation and notice period, which is where accepted offers most often fall apart.
6. After they start. We keep in touch through the first few months, and if the appointment doesn’t work out within the agreed period we run the search again.
The roles we cover
Our retained executive search work covers Regulatory Affairs, Pharmacovigilance and drug safety, Clinical Operations, Quality and GMP, and Medical Affairs, from experienced managers up to heads of function and vice presidents. There is more detail on each discipline on our home page.
What helps us help you
A clear brief, one person who can make the decision, and feedback on interviews within a week. That is really all it takes to keep a search moving and keep good candidates interested.
Confidential searches
If you are replacing someone who is still in post, or the hire says something about your plans that you are not ready to share, we can run the search without naming your company until a candidate is at interview stage.
Brief us on a role
Send us a few details about the role and we will come back to you within one working day to set up a proper briefing. If you would rather write to us first, our details are on the contact page.