Executive-Search Service/Head Hunting Service

Executive-Search Service/Head Hunting Service

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Executive Search and Headhunting

Differences Between
the Two Services

Differences Between the Two Services

At EPIC PARTNERS, we offer two distinct approaches—Executive Search and Headhunting—tailored to your hiring objectives and position characteristics.
Both differ not only in the target talent pool but also in the contract structure and compensation system with our company.

About Executive Search

About Executive Search

Executive Search is a strictly success-based fee service.
No fees are incurred until the candidate formally joins the company; we only charge a fee upon successful placement. The fee is calculated based on the successful candidate’s theoretical annual income (total compensation including base salary + bonuses/incentives).
It is a “results-driven” search primarily focused on recruiting leadership talent who will shape the company’s future, such as management-level, CxO, and board-level executives, as well as supporting the career transitions of executives from consulting firms, financial institutions, and similar organizations.

About Headhunting

About Headhunting

Headhunting operates under a hybrid contract model combining a retainer (initial fee) and success-based compensation.
The contract period is typically 6 months or longer, with a dedicated team conducting pinpoint searches for target candidates.
The retainer fee is determined through consultation based on the specifics of the assignment. The success fee is calculated based on the theoretical annual salary (base salary + total compensation including bonuses and incentives) of the successful candidate. Targets include executives at operating companies, directors and above at consulting firms, and executives at foreign-affiliated companies. This search-based recruitment approach, balancing speed and precision, is ideal for companies undergoing transformation.

Executive Search Headhunting
Contract Type Purely success-based compensation
Success Fee		 Retainer type
Retainer Fee
Approach Method Market Research + Candidate Referrals Personally Identifiable Information + Direct Contact
Confidentiality High
(including confidential projects)		 Extremely high
(Strictly confidential)
primary purpose Searching for and Matching the Best Talent Achieving Strategic and Planned Recruitment
Our involvement Candidate Research to Job Offer Support Work alongside management to design recruitment strategies
Executive Search
Contract Type Purely success-based compensation
Success Fee
Approach Method Market Research + Candidate Referrals
Confidentiality High
(including confidential projects)
primary purpose Searching for and Matching the Best Talent
Our involvement Candidate Research to Job Offer Support
Headhunting
Contract Type Retainer type
Retainer Fee
Approach Method Personally Identifiable Information + Direct Contact
Confidentiality Extremely high
(Strictly confidential)
primary purpose Achieving Strategic and Planned Recruitment
Our involvement Work alongside management to design recruitment strategies

7 Reasons Why EPIC
PARTNERS is Chosen

EPIC PARTNERS is Chosen for 7 Reasons

01

Trust and proven results
built globally

Since founding in London in 2001,
we have expanded our presence to
major global cities including
New York, Singapore, and Tokyo.
We have handled numerous
international search engagements
and cross-border M&A transactions,
earning recognition for our
world-class quality and confidentiality.

02

Specialized expertise in
consulting and finance

We possess extensive search
experience within strategic
consulting firms, PE/VC, FAS,
and financial institutions.
With deep understanding of
industry structures, talent trends,
and organizational challenges,
we deliver optimal talent solutions
from C-suite to frontline roles.

03

An integrated
“Investment × Talent” model

Through our unique model
combining investment operations
with CxO talent placement,
we support corporate growth from
both capital and talent perspectives.
We go beyond mere recruitment,
acting as an execution partner
for management transformation.

04

Precision approach through
headhunting

For key positions, we employ
retainer contracts rather than
success-based fees.
We prioritize confidentiality,
implementing strategic and
planned approaches.
We propose candidates only after
deeply understanding their
psychology, career paths, and values.

05

Trusted network at the

executive level

A CxO/partner-class leadership
network built over 20+ years.
We prioritize “connections based
on trust, not introductions,”
enabling access to top-tier talent.

06

Intellectual foundation through
collaboration with Aoyama
Advanced Technology Institute

Collaborating with the Aoyama
Advanced Technology Institute
within our group, we research
industrial shifts and technology trends.
Defining next-generation leadership
profiles based on cross-disciplinary
insights spanning technology,
policy, and management.

07

EPIC’s DNA:
Integrity × Intelligence ×
Execution

Every EPIC PARTNERS project is
executed under three principles:
Integrity, Intelligence, and Execution.
These are not mere ideals,
but the testament to the trust
we have built over more than 20 years.

Primary Recruitment
Support Services

Primary Recruitment Support Services

Transitioning to the Financial Industry

We provide career transition support for positions at domestic and international financial institutions, investment banks, private equity funds, venture capital firms, FAS firms, and FinTech companies. Our expertise extends beyond traditional banking, securities, and insurance sectors to include emerging fields where technology and finance converge. Our consultants, many with backgrounds at foreign investment banks and private equity funds, possess deep practical knowledge. We offer comprehensive support from position selection and interview preparation to compensation negotiations. We deeply understand both corporate hiring strategies and candidates’ career visions, enabling you to transition to the optimal stage where you can immediately contribute as a key player.

Transitioning to the M&A Industry

We offer comprehensive support for transitioning into the M&A advisory industry. Leveraging our extensive network, we propose optimal positions ranging from major listed M&A advisory firms to independent boutique firms and accounting firms. Our headhunters, many with M&A industry backgrounds, provide practical advice considering each firm’s unique characteristics, such as compensation structures, deal styles, and corporate culture. We are particularly strong in recruiting experienced M&A professionals for high-growth companies and PE fund portfolio companies, offering strategic support tailored to career stages—from players to managers to CxO-level executives.

Transitioning to Consulting Firms

We facilitate introductions to major domestic and international consulting firms. We cover a wide range of areas including strategy, general consulting, IT, and HR, accurately matching corporate hiring needs with candidates’ career aspirations. Our headhunters include former partners and active consultants from major foreign consulting firms, deeply familiar with industry structures, evaluation criteria, and selection processes. This enables us to provide not just job introductions, but substantive, strategic career support—including post-consulting career paths and steps toward CxO candidacy.

Executive Search
Fee and Handling
Charges Policy

Executive Search｜Fee and Handling Charges Policy

EPIC PARTNERS’ Executive Search operates on a strictly success-based fee structure.

No fees are incurred until the candidate formally joins the company.

Our fee is based on the candidate’s theoretical annual income (total compensation including base salary, bonuses, and incentives),

with a standard rate starting at 40% (excluding tax).

Headhunting
Fee and Handling
Charges Policy

Headhunting Service｜Fees and Commissions

EPIC PARTNERS’ Headhunting Service employs a hybrid model combining a retainer fee and a success fee.

Fees are calculated based on the theoretical annual salary of the successful candidate (total amount including base salary + bonuses/incentives), with the percentage agreed upon separately at the time of contract.

The retainer fee is determined based on industry market conditions and the duration of the exclusivity period.

Executive Search
Service Delivery Process

Process for Implementing Executive Search

STEP 01

Consultation & Needs Assessment (Free)

We carefully listen to your management challenges, organizational strategy, and desired candidate profile to clarify hiring objectives.

STEP 02

Contract Signing & Requirements Definition

We confirm success fee conditions and verify the position’s role, expectations, competency development, and evaluation targets.

STEP 03

Market Analysis & Candidate Research

We conduct industry research to identify potential candidates. We approach candidates who may be open to consideration.

STEP 04

Candidate Interviews & Client Introductions

We carefully select candidates who have passed screening, confirm their reasons for seeking a career change, schedule interviews, and enhance hiring accuracy.

STEP 05

Terms Negotiation, Onboarding Support & Retention Follow-up

We provide full support for adjusting employment terms, contract execution, and addressing retention challenges. Even after joining, we continuously consult with the candidate from early on to implement long-term strategies, supporting their retention within the company.

Headhunting
Service Delivery Process

Process for Implementing Headhunting Services

STEP 01

Initial Consultation & Position
Priority Confirmation (Free)

We listen to the hiring background, desired candidate profile, and job requirements.

STEP 02

Contract Signing & Term Setting

Sign a retainer agreement with a standard 6-month term. Clearly define success fee conditions.

STEP 03

Candidate Search & Approach

Leverage EPIC PARTNERS’ global network (Tokyo, Singapore, New York, London, etc.) to initiate direct outreach to senior executives in the relevant industry.

STEP 04

Candidate Interviews & Introduction

After interviewing and evaluating candidates, we introduce the most suitable talent to the company.

STEP 05

Offer Negotiation &
Onboarding Support

Our dedicated team provides end-to-end support from offer negotiation to onboarding assistance, facilitating rapid integration into the workforce.

Support Cases &
Customer Testimonials

Support Cases & Client Feedback

Foreign-affiliated Pharmaceutical Company Japan Subsidiary Representative Director
(50s, male)

Our company was recruiting Japanese candidates for executive positions to overhaul our management structure. This was an extremely challenging project requiring individuals with a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry’s history in Japan, its structure, leadership, and the ability to collaborate with global organizations. EPIC PARTNERS proposed unconventional executive candidates with a holistic view of management strategy. They conducted a highly precise search targeting major domestic and international companies, proposing a talent pool exceeding our expectations. Ultimately, we were able to hire candidates who surpassed our expectations.

Formerly with a megabank / Domestic FinTech company, Head of Business Operations
(20s, male)

I was responsible for corporate mergers at a major foreign strategic bank and a major foreign investment bank. Driven by a desire to deepen my understanding of corporate operations, I sought a career transition to a consulting firm. The consultant at EPIC PARTNERS, possessing deep knowledge of the financial industry’s career structure and the consulting industry’s hiring criteria, clearly defined my strengths. They provided consistent support throughout the process, from preparation for the selection process to follow-up after interviews. They even supported me all the way to securing a position in my desired new field.

Formerly with a major consulting firm / Subsidiary of a general trading company, Executive Officer
(40s, male)

Having worked for many years on strategy development projects at a major consulting firm, I desired a role closer to management where I could be involved in decision-making. I consulted EPIC PARTNERS about changing jobs. My assigned consultant accurately grasped the characteristics of my career and my future vision, proposing a management position at a management consulting firm where I could leverage the experience I had cultivated at a major firm.

Q&A

Frequently Asked Questions

A. Executive search is a service that receives formal requests from companies to search for and introduce senior executives and highly specialized high-level talent. A dedicated consultant carefully listens to your company’s management challenges and personnel requirements, creating a customized job description. Leveraging an extensive network and proprietary research, we identify suitable candidates and introduce them to you. Headhunting, on the other hand, is a method of approaching outstanding talent active outside the company, presenting them with better conditions and environments to recruit them. A key feature is the ability to directly approach not only those seeking a job change but also the “passive pool” of talent not currently considering a move.

A. Executive search operates on a pure success-based fee structure, with no charges incurred until the candidate formally joins the company. The fee is typically 40% or more of the successful candidate’s theoretical annual salary (total compensation including base salary, bonuses, and incentives). Headhunting employs a retainer fee plus success-based fee structure (contract period: 6 months or longer), with individual quotes provided based on the position’s difficulty and duration.

A.Executive search typically takes approximately 1 to 3 months from candidate selection to final hiring decision. Headhunting, due to its limited search scope, involves careful research and often yields results within 6 to 10 months.

A.Executive search operates on a strictly success-based fee structure, meaning no fees are incurred if a placement is not successfully made. For headhunting services, we also ensure a transparent process by regularly sharing progress reports based on a retainer agreement.

A. Yes, it is possible. At EPIC PARTNERS, we proceed with all projects after signing strict NDAs (non-disclosure agreements). We have extensive experience handling cases requiring high levels of confidentiality, such as executive recruitment and research projects involving competitor companies.

A. We serve a wide range of industries, including consulting, manufacturing, IT and digital transformation, finance, life sciences, consumer goods, and venture support. We provide flexible support not only to domestic companies but also to foreign-affiliated and global corporations, listed companies, and startups.