The Senior Executive recruitment market has been a challenging one through 2021. The effects of the global pandemic and the continuing situation have impacted on both potential employer attitudes as well as practical organisation management.

We are clearly now seeing a far more positive view on the Q1 market situation and a growing demand from Search Consultants for Senior Executives with both proven experience and a transformational / growth mindset.

Firm indication from the InterExec network of Search Consultants suggests the first half of 2022 will be a strong market in most major business sectors and across the geographic regions. There are of course specific exceptions to the expected trend but nevertheless the forecast is broadly positive for those seeking a new major challenge.

Articulate preparation for maximising your potential in that market environment is certainly an action worth considering and getting underway at the earliest stage.

Current situation update:

Broadly speaking, we are not seeing the drop off in later stage conversations with the InterExec network of Search Consultants that is normal for December.

The current market across Europe and North America remains very active and predictions from a wide cross section of highly experienced Search Consultants is that we will see the busiest Q1 and Q2 in many key business sectors and geographically.

The South East Asia market whilst tending to follow a slightly different cycle and is often quieter ahead of the Lunar New Year is nevertheless currently active.

The FMCG (also including Agriculture) and Consumer space is seeing particularly high volumes of Senior Executive vacancies in the UK and across Europe.

Key areas of activity continue to be – The Wealth Sector, Strategy, Consulting and Fintech but Investment and Retail Banking opportunities are also currently active. The Investment Banking opportunities are somewhat specific and the Retail Banking mandates are strategic / analytical which is in line with a market starting to recover.

NED positions are also coming on stream, some that require a specific background such as Pharmaceuticals or Water. However general requests from the Search Consultant network are also active.

To summarise the view of the network – Search Consultants are clearly anticipating the busiest January in the last 3 years.

Preparation for identifying the new challenge for 2022:

The InterExec network The InterExec network of some 15,000 Senior Search Consultants covers all the major global markets and is responsible for Senior Executive roles in virtually every key business sector.

Finding the right Search Consultant, with the most appropriate job opportunity to match the candidate objectives in this unadvertised and often politically complex marketplace is one of the core InterExec skills. Focussing and preparing the client and planning the entire process by which the Senior Executive identifies and finds that new challenge is the other core skill and the success rate of achieving those goals is evidence of the InterExec value.

As we prepare for a highly active Q1 if you are considering searching for your next challenge please do not hesitate to get in touch with the InterExec team.