Dawson & Dawson’s Retained Search service is purpose-built for confidential, executive-level, and high-impact leadership placements — including CEO searches and senior leadership roles that require absolute discretion and a highly targeted approach. Their retained model provides a dedicated partnership rather than a transactional recruitment engagement, meaning your search receives focused attention, a structured plan, and ongoing strategic collaboration from start to finish.
For CEO searches specifically, Dawson & Dawson works closely with boards, founders, and ownership groups to deeply understand organizational vision, culture, and the specific leadership profile needed for the next stage of growth. From that foundation, they reach into passive candidate networks — individuals who are currently leading organizations successfully and are not browsing job listings — to build a qualified slate aligned with your mission and values.
The retained model also provides greater confidentiality protection, which is critical for succession planning, leadership transitions, and board appointments where market discretion matters.