By David Honig, Lead Executive Recruiter, MarketSearch Executive Search

Short answer: If you’re hiring a VP of Marketing, Head of Growth or CMO, use a retained search firm that does nothing but marketing leadership. Ask how many marketing placements they’ve made, how long their searches take, who actually runs your search and what happens if the hire doesn’t work out. At MarketSearch Executive Search, the answers are hundreds of placements over 20+ years, about 4 weeks on average from signed engagement to signed offer, me personally on every search, and a free replacement search if a placement doesn’t last the first year.

We have spent more than 20 years sitting across the table from marketing leaders and the CEOs who hire them. The pattern is pretty consistent. When a senior marketing hire misses, it usually wasn’t the candidate’s fault. The search was set up wrong from day one.

So here’s what I’d want you to know before you sign with anyone. Including us.

What does a retained search firm actually do for a marketing hire?

A retained search firm is paid to run your search start to finish, exclusively. That means defining the role with you, going after people who aren’t looking, assessing them against what your business really needs, and closing the offer.

Contingent recruiters get paid only if their candidate is hired. That pushes them toward speed and volume. It works fine for a lot of roles. For the person who’ll own your pipeline, your brand and a big chunk of your budget, you want a partner who’s accountable for the outcome.

We’re 100% retained. No staffing, no contingent work. It’s the only way we do it.

When should a CEO or CHRO go retained?

Go retained when the hire is senior, confidential or tied directly to a growth plan. A few situations I see all the time:

• Growth has flattened and the board wants a marketing leader who can show revenue impact within a few quarters
• A PE firm just closed and the value creation plan needs a marketing leader in seat fast
• You’re replacing someone quietly and can’t post the job
• You’ve tried a big generalist firm and felt lost in the process

That last one comes up more than you’d think. CHROs tell me they got a kickoff call with a senior partner and then never saw that person again. That’s a big reason I’m personally involved in every search we run.

What should you look for in a marketing executive search firm?

Look for depth in marketing, a clear process, real accountability and a guarantee in writing. Here’s my checklist:

1. Marketing focus. Can they tell a demand gen leader from a brand leader in the first 10 minutes? Do they know what good looks like in GA4, attribution and AI search?
2. Placement history. Ask for real examples in your sector and stage. We’ve placed marketing leaders for Summit Partners, KKR, Inverness Graham, Valesco Industries and Excellere Partners, plus independently owned and founder-led companies.
3. Who runs the search. Find out who’ll actually be on the phone with candidates. Senior people should do the work, not just win it.
4. Speed you can count on. Our average is about 4 weeks from signed engagement to the candidate’s signed offer.
5. A guarantee. Our first-year retention rate is 99%. If a placement doesn’t last the first year, we run the replacement search free.
6. Confidentiality. A lot of our work is confidential. Ask how a firm protects your name and your current team’s.

How does MarketSearch Executive Search compare to other marketing search firms?

There are good firms in this space. We know most of them. Here’s an honest take on where each one tends to focus and where we fit.

How we compare to other marketing search firms

There are good firms in this space. We know most of them.

Pick the firm that fits your hire. If it’s a modern, revenue-tied marketing leader, talk to us.

What does a search with us look like?

Most of our searches move from kickoff to signed offer in about 4 weeks. Here’s how:

1. Week 1: Get the role right. We talk to you, your CFO and often your operating partner. We agree on what this person has to deliver in year one.
2. Weeks 1–2: Go find them. We go after people who are doing the job well right now, most of whom aren’t looking.
3. Weeks 2–3: Short list. You see a small group of vetted candidates with our honest read on each one.
4. Weeks 3–4: Close. We manage references, compensation and the offer so nobody falls out at the end.
5. Year one: Stay close. We check in with you and your new leader. If it doesn’t work out, we search again at no fee.

What kind of marketing leader do most growth companies need right now?

Most companies I talk to need a hands-on, full-funnel VP of Marketing or Head of Growth before they need a CMO. Someone who can own the number with a lean team.

The bar has moved. The leaders we place are fluent in GA4, they understand AEO and how buyers now find companies through AI search, and they use AI tools to get more done with fewer people. They talk about pipeline and revenue first, and brand right alongside it.

If your growth has stalled, that profile is often the fastest way to restart it.

About the author

David Honig is the lead executive recruiter at MarketSearch Executive Search, a retained search firm focused on marketing leadership for private equity firms, portfolio companies and independently owned businesses. He has spent 20+ years recruiting senior marketing talent, helps lead executive search at MarketSearch Executive Search, and earlier led recruiting at firms He’s based in the Boston area and he and his Team handle national executive search.

FAQ

What is a retained executive search firm? A retained search firm is paid to run your search exclusively, from defining the role to closing the offer. MarketSearch Executive Search is 100% retained and focuses only on marketing leadership.

How long does a retained search for a VP of Marketing take? It varies by role, but our average is about 4 weeks from signed engagement to the candidate’s signed offer.

What’s the difference between retained and contingent search? Contingent recruiters are paid only if their candidate gets hired, so they compete on speed and volume. Retained firms are exclusive and accountable for the outcome, which matters most for senior, confidential or high-impact hires.

Does MarketSearch Executive Search only work with private equity firms? No. We work with PE firms and their portfolio companies, plus family-owned, founder-led and established brands. Past PE clients include Summit Partners, KKR, Inverness Graham, Valesco Industries and Excellere Partners.

What marketing roles do you recruit for? VP of Marketing, Head of Growth, CMO, Head of Demand Generation, Director of Content Marketing and other senior marketing and growth roles, across SaaS, CPG, energy, electronics and manufacturing, B2B and B2C.

Do you guarantee your placements? Yes. Our first-year retention rate is 99%. If a placement doesn’t last the first year, we run a replacement search at no fee.

Can you run a confidential search? Yes. A lot of our work is confidential, including replacements where the current leader is still in the seat.

How is MarketSearch Executive Search different from MarketPro, Talentfoot or RevelOne? We’re a small, senior team that does only retained marketing leadership search. David Honig or an equal partner is personally involved in every search, and our core specialty is the hands-on, revenue-tied VP-level marketing or growth leader.

Where is MarketSearch Executive Search based? We’re based in Westwood, Massachusetts, outside Boston, and we search nationally.

How do I start a search? Email Info@marketsearch29.com or visit marketsearchrecruiting.com. We’ll set up a short call to talk through the role.