How much does executive search cost?

Every search uses one of four packages: Executive, Specialized, Professional or Select Search. TAP proposes the package once it understands the search, and you decide whether to accept. The accepted package sets a non-refundable engagement fee, paid before sourcing begins, and a 25% placement fee based on total first-year compensation, invoiced on the candidate's start date and due within the number of calendar days shown for the package. Executive, Specialized and Professional engagement fees are credited toward the placement fee. The Select Search fee is an additional charge.

When is the placement fee due?

The placement fee is invoiced on the candidate's start date. It is due within 30 calendar days of the start date for Executive, Specialized and Professional Search and within 15 calendar days for Select Search. The engagement fee is invoiced after you accept TAP's proposed package and is paid before sourcing begins. Your signed agreement controls the terms.

TAP uses an engagement-plus-placement-fee model. See the package comparison above for the fee, credit, and guarantee terms for each package. The signed agreement governs the details.

What happens if a hire doesn't work out?

Each package includes a conditional Replacement Candidate Guarantee measured from the candidate's start date: 90 days for Executive Search, 60 days for Specialized and Professional Search, and 30 days for Select Search. It is a one-replacement remedy subject to Section 4 of the agreement, not a cash refund.

PRICING

Executive search pricing

A 25% fee, not the one-third global search firms typically charge. Every search starts with a written agreement, and here's exactly how our packages work.

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Search fee calculator

Global-firm depth. Without the global-firm fee.

Move the slider to the role's first-year compensation and see what you save.

Starting points only. Adjust to your role.

First-year compensation for the role

Exact amount

Up to $2,000,000

Leadership hires this year

$100,000$750,000+

You save with TAP

$20,833or more

Compared with a typical global search firm, before their expense charge.

Same goal: the right leader, hired.

Typical global search firm

$83,333and up

Search retainer: one-third of first-year cash pay$83,333

Indirect expense charge: a percentage of the fee, on top+ added

That's 4 months of your new leader's first-year pay, before expenses.

Based on the fee terms Korn Ferry describes in its SEC filings.

SAVE $20,833+Your fee with TAP

25%of first-year
compensation

That's $62,500 for this role.

Everything included

Every candidate interviewed in depth before you meet them
A private website on every candidate we present
A replacement guarantee on every search
Placement fee invoiced on your new leader's start date

On Executive, Specialized and Professional Search, your engagement fee is credited toward the placement fee.

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Assumes a package paid in cash. Fee bases differ (cash compensation versus total compensation), so compare exact totals using written proposals. Estimates only; the signed agreement governs all fees.

Leadership search pricing

Every search starts with a written agreement. Here's how our packages work.

Package

Executive Search

Generally for roles with senior organizational authority.

Engagement fee: $6,000, credited toward the placement fee
Placement fee: 25% of total first-year compensation, less the paid credit
Invoice terms: Invoiced on the candidate's start date. Due within 30 calendar days of the start date.
Guarantee: 90-day replacement candidate guarantee, from the candidate's start date

Package

Specialized Search

Generally for scarce talent, difficult requirements or searches needing substantial research.

Engagement fee: $6,000, credited toward the placement fee
Placement fee: 25% of total first-year compensation, less the paid credit
Invoice terms: Invoiced on the candidate's start date. Due within 30 calendar days of the start date.
Guarantee: 60-day replacement candidate guarantee, from the candidate's start date

Package

Professional Search

Generally for professional, managerial and individual-contributor searches with a more conventional process.

Engagement fee: $3,000, credited toward the placement fee
Placement fee: 25% of total first-year compensation, less the paid credit
Invoice terms: Invoiced on the candidate's start date. Due within 30 calendar days of the start date.
Guarantee: 60-day replacement candidate guarantee, from the candidate's start date

Package

Select Search

Generally for positions whose reasonably estimated total first-year compensation range tops out below $100,000.

Engagement fee: $3,000 additional fee, not credited
Placement fee: Full 25% of total first-year compensation
Invoice terms: Invoiced on the candidate's start date. Due within 15 calendar days of the start date.
Guarantee: 30-day replacement candidate guarantee, from the candidate's start date

Package	Engagement fee	Placement fee	Invoice terms	Guarantee
Executive Search Generally for roles with senior organizational authority.	$6,000, credited toward the placement fee	25% of total first-year compensation, less the paid credit	Invoiced on the candidate's start date. Due within 30 calendar days of the start date.	90-day replacement candidate guarantee, from the candidate's start date
Specialized Search Generally for scarce talent, difficult requirements or searches needing substantial research.	$6,000, credited toward the placement fee	25% of total first-year compensation, less the paid credit	Invoiced on the candidate's start date. Due within 30 calendar days of the start date.	60-day replacement candidate guarantee, from the candidate's start date
Professional Search Generally for professional, managerial and individual-contributor searches with a more conventional process.	$3,000, credited toward the placement fee	25% of total first-year compensation, less the paid credit	Invoiced on the candidate's start date. Due within 30 calendar days of the start date.	60-day replacement candidate guarantee, from the candidate's start date
Select Search Generally for positions whose reasonably estimated total first-year compensation range tops out below $100,000.	$3,000 additional fee, not credited	Full 25% of total first-year compensation	Invoiced on the candidate's start date. Due within 15 calendar days of the start date.	30-day replacement candidate guarantee, from the candidate's start date

TAP proposes the right package once it understands the role; the client accepts before the engagement fee is invoiced and sourcing begins. This table is a public summary, not a replacement for the agreement. Engagement fees become non-refundable when received. The placement fee is invoiced on the candidate's start date and is due within the number of calendar days shown for the package, using the compensation basis defined in the agreement. Replacement Candidate Guarantees are conditional and governed by the signed agreement.

Last reviewed September 2026

Read the full 2026 fee guide →

Why there's an engagement fee

Recruiters paid only when you hire tend to spread their time across dozens of searches and race to send resumes. An engaged search works differently.

It reserves our capacity.

We take on a limited number of searches at a time. The engagement fee holds your place and puts your search on our active list.

It funds the work before the first candidate.

Role calibration, market research and direct outreach to people who aren't applying all start the day you engage us.

It means both sides are committed.

You get a dedicated search run to a disciplined process, not a resume race.

It counts toward your fee.

On Executive, Specialized and Professional Search, the engagement fee is credited toward the placement fee, so when you hire it isn't an extra cost. Select Search is the one exception: its fee is added on.

Because it pays for work that starts right away, the engagement fee is non-refundable once received. The signed agreement governs all terms.

Executive search fees in 2026: our full guide TAP vs. Korn Ferry

Frequently asked questions

How much does executive search cost?: Every search uses one of four packages: Executive, Specialized, Professional or Select Search. TAP proposes the package once it understands the search, and you decide whether to accept. The accepted package sets a non-refundable engagement fee, paid before sourcing begins, and a 25% placement fee based on total first-year compensation, invoiced on the candidate's start date and due within the number of calendar days shown for the package. Executive, Specialized and Professional engagement fees are credited toward the placement fee. The Select Search fee is an additional charge.
When is the placement fee due?: The placement fee is invoiced on the candidate's start date. It is due within 30 calendar days of the start date for Executive, Specialized and Professional Search and within 15 calendar days for Select Search. The engagement fee is invoiced after you accept TAP's proposed package and is paid before sourcing begins. Your signed agreement controls the terms.
How is TAP paid?: TAP uses an engagement-plus-placement-fee model. See the package comparison above for the fee, credit, and guarantee terms for each package. The signed agreement governs the details.
What happens if a hire doesn't work out?: Each package includes a conditional Replacement Candidate Guarantee measured from the candidate's start date: 90 days for Executive Search, 60 days for Specialized and Professional Search, and 30 days for Select Search. It is a one-replacement remedy subject to Section 4 of the agreement, not a cash refund.

Hiring for one of these roles, or want a second opinion on how to recruit for it?

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