What retained recruitment actually involves
A retained engagement means Creideas is exclusively committed to the search. There are no competing priorities, no split-fee arrangements, and no temptation to cut corners to reach a quick conclusion.
The process is structured. An in-depth briefing is followed by a formal market mapping exercise, a targeted approach to passive candidates, and a rigorous assessment process before anyone is presented to the client.
The result is a shortlist that has been built with confidence, not assembled in haste.
When retained is the right choice
- Senior and board-level appointments where confidentiality matters
- Roles in competitive markets where passive candidates need to be approached directly
- Organisations that have struggled to fill a role through contingency search
- Situations where the hiring decision will have significant organisational impact
What a retained engagement delivers
A dedicated point of contact throughout the process. A formal market mapping report at the start. Progress updates at agreed intervals, not when there is something to report. And a shortlist that comes with a clear rationale, not just names on a page.
Creideas also offers a rebate or replacement guarantee on retained searches, the terms of which are agreed at the outset and written into the engagement agreement.
