Executive Search in Kenya
Executive search solutions are becoming increasingly popular across the world, including African countries such as Kenya and South Africa.
Executive search is the process of using specialized recruitment and staffing practices to attract highly skilled senior management talent to a given organization. According to many surveys and studies, Africa represents a viable option for many international businesses seeking to expand into emerging markets.
For this reason, many firms prefer working with executive recruitment companies because of their expertise, industry knowledge, and massive database of executive candidates.
Not only that, but many African states, including Kenya, Rwanda, Egypt, and South Africa, have their own domestic companies that significantly benefit from executive search services. Since the concept is fairly new to most, the following article will shed light on executive search firms and Kenya trends.
Here are details about how executive search firms work and the industry prospects in the Kenyan market.
How Do Executive Search Firms Work?
As mentioned above executive recruitment firms help companies find and secure top talent for senior managerial roles. Top executive search firms such as Kazicloud have connections and networks within many industries and sectors. But some operate within a specific sector
The executive search process is also known as headhunting, with search firms popular called head-hunters. Head-hunters are best known for their proactive approach to staffing, which does not solely rely on traditional hiring methods.
Retained executive search advocates fill more and more senior-level positions in a company, especially when compared to other traditional hiring processes. These recruiters work for client organizations to help them with the hiring process.
Executive candidates are not ones to look out for job listings posted on websites and newspapers, and rightly so. Many decent to excellent executive job opportunities are often not advertised. Such job opportunities for senior executives are exclusively handed to them with a focus on confidentiality.
With the help of the executive search firm, a business can bridge the talent gap. The search organization provides a list of qualified candidates for the business to choose from. The aim is to try and get as many qualified candidates from a massive pool of executive candidates.
How Search Firms Source Top Executives
As mentioned above C level, managerial positions (C -suite) are rarely advertised even by executive search firms. For this reason, search companies look for senior candidates themselves, hence the name head-hunters.
So, to attract top talent, search companies will start by drawing up a long list of potential candidates. They then spend day and night vetting such candidates to ensure they all meet the necessary qualifications. But this process of research will vary from company to company.
Top companies such as Kazicloud, Corporate Staffing, and Summit Recruitment have a wide network and database of top-level senior candidates. They gather such portfolios from years of experience and are often the best companies to consider when looking for your next executive.
Types of Executive Search Firms
There are two types of executive search consultants /companies; retained executive search firms and contingency executive search firms. Client companies contact both to help bridge the gap in senior talent.
Retained Executive Search Firms
Retained executive search firms are headhunters who work on a contract basis with the client company. They thrive on providing executives with a specific position or a specific job description. For their efforts, they are paid a fee called a retainer fee when the client is chosen and hired.
A retained search can last up to 90 days as the lengthy process entails extensive research and consulting. For this reason, the recruiters need payment to facilitate this process.
Such firms have for long been considered expensive or extravagant. This is because many can charge up to 33% of the total executive compensation. So, why would you use a retained executive search firm while there are cheaper options?
Cost isn’t everything. The cost of having a bad hire is almost three times the salary of the individual in question, which is astronomically higher than the retainer fee. So, such headhunters are costly, but they provide value for money. Remember, price is what you pay, and value is what you get.
Also, retainer recruiters will give certain guarantees. For instance, if the candidate is not successful, they will conduct a new search at no extra cost. This also goes for any other placement.
Contingency Executive Search Firms
Contingency recruiters are headhunters who fill the talent gaps, especially in entry-level positions. One key difference between retained head-hunters and contingency headhunters is that the latter operates on a no placement no fee basis, while the former is paid regardless of the success of the search process.
Also, retained firms have a broader portfolio of candidates than contingency headhunters. This owes to the fact that the research process is more extensive and lengthier than the model used by contingency headhunters.
Now that you know all about executive search firms, how does the search process work?
Executive Search Process in Kenya?
Are you looking for your next executive in Kenya? There are certain processes that you should know before commencing the search.
Assessing Search priorities
The executive search begins with an in-depth analysis of your business needs in relation to executive positions. The executive search company will help with determining the skills and talent gap that need bridging. One added advantage of using executive search firms is that they bridge the ‘insight gap,’ which is important in the search process.
Derive a Search Strategy
After assessing your organizational needs with respect to executive recruitment, the net step that executive search firms take is to determine a search strategy. This strategy will help you identify candidates with relevant skills, qualifications, and experiences, among other factors.
Top executive search firms in Kenya such as Kazicloud Recruitment develop a long list of highly skilled and qualified prospects for the C-level managerial position. This list is what is commonly referred to as a candidate talent pool.
There are many ways in which executive search firms arrive here. For starters, top search companies such as Kazicloud Recruitment use their extensive connections, networks, and years of experience in different niches and industries to arrive at the best candidates. Some put up job alerts to websites and newspapers. However, this method is often not effective.
Evaluate the Candidates
With the help of the executive search firm, your business should be able to attract top talent. The next step would be to approach these individuals and test their interest in the given role. Depending on their interest, the next step would be to evaluate the candidates.
Evaluation, in this case, refers to conducting a rigorous assessment to determine the candidate’s skills, knowledge, experience, and abilities to determine whether they are a perfect fit for the job.
Narrow the Candidates Down
After screening the candidates, the next step that the executive search firm follows is to select a few from the massive list of executive prospects. Interviews and scheduled appointments are soon to follow.
Complete the Search
Once screening is complete, the organization can now move forward with the selected candidate. It is worth knowing that the candidate will have checked all the boxes required for competency in the senior role. Negotiations about compensation follow as the executive search comes to an end.
https://kazicloud.co.ke/how-is-your-organization-attracting-and-retaining-top-talent/
Choosing an Executive Search Firm in Kenya
Headhunting is an incredibly effective and convenient service. However, identifying the best search service provider could spell trouble for organizations, especially those new to the industry. However, consider the following guidelines when choosing a search firm in Kenya.
- Start by looking at their access or portfolio of highly skilled candidates
- Investigate more about their search processes and methods
- Learn the various methods they use in screening and qualifying various candidates
- Consider reading the various testimonials or experience with dealing with companies similar to yours
- Find out more about the underlying policies
- Get to know traits that set the search firm apart
Should You Use an Executive Search Firms?
Securing an effective workforce, especially at the senior level, has its own challenges. A survey of CEOs from all over the world revealed that the number one business decision plaguing them revolves around recruitment and employee turnover.
In addition, companies need to be wary of the unfortunate costs resulting from ‘bad hires.’ Bad hires simply refer to hiring candidates who are not a fit for the company because of poor hiring practices, qualifications, low skill levels, and poor adaptation to the organizational culture. Bad hires especially at the senior level can be costly.
So, should you use an executive search firm in Kenya? Absolutely! Not only will they help you with your executive staffing requirements, but they will play an advisory role on your next project, giving valuable insights as you are headed to the desired strategic direction.
Looking for an Executive Search Firm in Kenya?
Expanding into emerging markets similar to those in the Sub-Saharan region of Africa can be challenging for any company. This is especially true for companies looking to recruit top talent to help them achieve organizational goals.
However, this process doesn’t have to be challenging. With the help of a top executive search firm such as Kazicloud Recruitment, it is possible to attract highly skilled top talent. The last thing you would want is to end up with a crop of bad executive hires end up mounting losses on your organization’s profitability.
10 Top Executive Search Firms In Kenya
- At Kazicloud, we’re not just your average HR company – we’re talent hunters with a knack for finding the best and brightest leaders for Kenyan businesses. We’ve spent years building a strong reputation as a C-suite and executive search powerhouse.Our secret? Deep knowledge of the African market, combined with a vast network of top executive candidates across the globe.Let Kazicloud help you find the exceptional leaders who will drive your Kenyan business forward. Contact us today!
- Flexi Personnel – Over the last 15 years, Flexi Personnel has evolved into one of the leading HR Consultancy companies in Africa.With experience in over 45 countries, they have the local expertise and reach to help your business identify talented executives & senior management across Africa.With their proven track record, they have earned a reputation for successfully managing highly sensitive and intricate retained search assignments for Board, CEO, and C-suite positions.Their executive headhunters will help you find executives across different industries from tech to manufacturing.
- PWC – With over 500 employees we stand firm on our commitment to provide highly qualified professionals to assist private companies and public institutions with our first-hand knowledge and expertise-within Kenya and internationally.
- Corporate Staffing – Our team of headhunters in Kenya and consultants make it easy for you to identify top prospects.We recognize that most times, the finest skill labor, is not thinking of moving but we are there in every step of the way to achieve the greatest results for you.We are the preferred headhunters in Kenya for companies considering to engage senior-level seasoned professionals.For the last 10 years, we have assisted both local and overseas firms in headhunting to ensure the hiring of competent workforce who have the right skills, attitude and ability to deliver.
- Brites Management – At Brites Management Services Ltd, we have very qualified and seasoned headhunters. We are the best headhunting company in Nairobi Kenya. We understand the needs of our clients to fill executive positions with the best talents in the market. We have established a pool and a network of c-level renowned performers in the country. We also have a database of diverse professionals from all over the world.
- Jack Hammer – And at Jack Hammer, we look beyond the obvious – sometimes in unlikely places – drilling deep from start to finish.We source at Board, C-Suite, Executive and senior management levels, across a wide range of functions. Most of the time, we’re helping to fill the toughest roles, where the pool of great people is in high demand: Leaders for roles in Kenya (expats as well as local nationals) and elsewhere throughout Africa.
- Hallmark Recruitment – When we launched in East Africa, we found that companies across the region were frustrated and disillusioned with recruitment agencies that constantly promised to find quality hires and never delivered.
As recruiters ourselves, we were puzzled by this. There was evidently not a shortage of quality talent in East Africa – quite the reverse. We are usually pleasantly surprised when sourcing – finding better talent than we ourselves thought was possible. - Summit Recruitment – Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Summit Recruitment & Search Africa has been the leading African Recruitment and Search Agency, delivering world class Talent Sourcing, Executive Search, Recruitment and HR Solutions across the continent. Our expertise spans across all regions of Africa, including Northern Africa, Southern Africa, Eastern Africa, Western Africa, and Central Africa. We have clients ranging from Multi-nationals, Non-profit, SME’s and start up organisations wishing to attract and retain outstanding individuals across a variety of business sectors.
- Staffrite – Our executive search recruiters are delivering top level talent to over 200 Multinationals, SMEs and startups in Kenya. Our deep experience and passion combines with a commitment to service and results, ultimately delivering the executive talent that your business needs. We achieve this by curating an unrivalled database and candidate community within our executive search firm in Kenya, proven to provide the top executive headhunting results.
- Frank Management Consult – Our recruitment service is categorized into three main areas of focus: Target & Mass Recruitment, Executive Search, and International Placement. Hiring incompetent candidates for the various levels can be costly. FMC endeavors to cut down on your recruitment costs by ensuring that you only hire the best within the shortest time possible. We align our recruitment with both your needs and industry. We are able to get you quality resumes of interviewed candidates within your industry and as per your budget. Our huge database built over 15 years boosts over one million resumes. The industries we recruit for include; Manufacturing, Logistics, Hospitality, ICT, Agriculture, Consumer Electronics, Internet, Fintech among many others.
We would like to work with you on your next project. Feel free to contact us today at Kazicloud Recruitment Services for C-suite, executive search, and other human-resources management solutions.
