Partner-led from day one.
Partner-led, research-rigorous, confidential, accountable for retention. The methodology behind 1,000+ senior placements and 92% 24-month retention.
The discipline behind every mandate.
Partner-led
Every mandate is owned by a partner from kickoff to close. No handoffs to associates between calibration and shortlist.
Research-rigorous
Mandates run through structured market mapping. Longlists are built from primary research, not databases.
Confidential by default
Information barriers between mandates. Off-limits respected. No press, no leaks.
Accountable for retention
We track every placement to 24-month retention. We’re paid for the right hire, not the closed hire.
From kickoff to retained.
- 01Week 0
Kickoff
Brief alignment with the chair, CHRO and pod.
- 02Wk 0–1
Calibration
Role architecture, success criteria, off-limits, search universe.
- 03Wk 1–2
Market mapping
Sector and geography mapped to depth; primary research.
- 04Wk 2–3
Longlist
Initial 30–80 candidate longlist with calibrated cuts.
- 05Wk 3
Shortlist & assessment
5–8 candidates shortlisted; assessment against role architecture.
- 06Wk 3–5
Final round
Final round with chair / CEO; reference work in flight.
- 07Wk 6–7
Offer & close
Offer construction, contract, signed.
- 08+24 mo
Onboarding & support
Quarterly check-ins through 24-month retention window.
Four people. One mandate.
Lead Partner
Full mandate ownership · 100%
Research Director
Mapping & assessment · 80%
Market Analyst
Primary research · 100%
Delivery PM
Process & cadence · 60%
92%
Of placed executives still in seat at 24 months. We track this metric across every mandate, every year. It is the single most important measure of whether a search worked.
Where we’re different.
| Dimension | JOH Partners | Traditional firm |
|---|---|---|
| Process owner | Partner from day one | Senior associate, escalated to partner only on issues |
| Longlist construction | Primary research mapped to role architecture | Database pull plus referrals |
| Average time-to-close | 6–7 weeks | 14–22 weeks |
| 24-month retention | 92% | Industry average ~70% |
| Off-limits enforcement | Strict per-firm and per-mandate | Looser, often broker-side relationships |
| Confidentiality posture | No press, no leaks; named partner accountable | Press releases on close |
| Fee structure | Retained, three-tranche | Retained or contingency mix |
Common questions from chairs and CHROs.
- Median time-to-close is 6–7 weeks for a calibrated brief. Heavily-confidential or unusually senior mandates can run 12–14 weeks. We don't trade speed for fit; we trade speed for clarity at the calibration stage.
- Retained, three-tranche: kickoff, shortlist, close. The kickoff retainer is non-refundable. The shortlist tranche is delivered against named, agreed shortlist. The close tranche on signed offer.
- Retention at 24 months. Our firm-wide rate is 92%, tracked across every placement we have made since 2014.
- We are strict on off-limits and will not break it for a mandate. If your top target is off-limits we'll explain why, when the off-limits expires, and propose calibrated alternatives.
- Strict. No press releases. No client name in marketing without written consent. Information barriers between mandates with overlapping target pools. Every partner signs an annual confidentiality refresh.
- As early as possible. The most successful mandates begin with a calibration session 6–12 weeks before the seat needs to be open. Late-stage mandates work; early-stage mandates work better.
Tell us about the seat.
We’ll tell you who’s right.
Confidential conversations with the partner leading the practice you need. We respond within one business day.