Search Firms Promise Partners
We Deliver Them
The partners you meet are the partners who deliver — every search, every time. One or two dedicated partners, no juniors, no handoffs.
Welcome to the most referred name in executive search.
and the numbers back it up
%
of our clients return for a second search
%
referral rate
searches annually
What makes ON different
Six reasons PE and private markets firms keep coming back — and why 95% refer us to their peers.
Partner-led, start to finish
The partner you meet on day one leads your search through to placement. No handoffs. No “I’ll have my team reach out.”
Fit over credentials.
Anyone can match a resume to a job description. We match a leader to a company’s stage, culture, and what the next three years actually demand, because the right hire on paper isn’t always the right hire in practice.
Built for velocity.
We understand 100-day plans, EBITDA targets, and exit timelines. Our process delivers a qualified shortlist in 3–4 week, because your schedule doesn’t have room for a long strenuous searches.
One partner. Your whole portfolio.
When you build a relationship with ON, that relationship extends across every search, from portco CFO to board director. One partner who knows your business deeply is worth more than a new team every time.
Fewer conflicts. Wider access.
A boutique firm size means fewer off-limits restrictions, which means access to candidates that larger firms can’t touch. Your pool is wider, not narrower.
Accountable by name.
Our partners don’t hide behind team structures. Every placement has a partner’s name on it, which means our reputation is on the line for every outcome — exactly the way it should be.
How We Compare
ON vs. the alternatives
A frank comparison. No firm names needed. Let the contrast do the work.
| What matters to you | ON | Global Firms | Most Boutiques |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who leads your search | ✦ One or two dedicated partners, start to finish. A second partner adds depth in role, function, or industry — never a handoff. | Senior partner sells. Junior team delivers. | Varies by firm size and capacity. |
| Search timeline | ✦ Offer negotiation and acceptance typically within 11 weeks when both sides are aligned. | Process layers add time. Timelines often stretch beyond expectations. | Varies widely depending on bandwidth and specialization. |
| PE fluency | ✦ Built for PE. We understand 100-day plans, EBITDA targets, and exit timelines. | Broad PE coverage. Less native to the asset class. | Sector-specific. PE depth varies by firm. |
| Public & private markets depth | ✦ PE-native with strong coverage across public companies and private markets. One firm, full market access. | Broad market coverage. Less sector-specific depth. | Typically narrow. Strong in one vertical, limited elsewhere. |
| Off-limits conflicts | ✦ Minimal. Wider candidate access. | Extensive off-limits. Limits your pool. | Fewer conflicts than global firms. |
| Cultural fit assessment | ✦ Our partners replacie rigid processes with a deep understanding of your market and the 'culture fit' that resumes often miss.. | Process-driven. Credentials-first. | Varies. Often strong in one vertical. |
| Relationship ownership | ✦ One or two partners own the relationship entirely along with a team of consultants & project coordinators. | Account managed. Relationship diluted across teams. | Scope limited by specialization. |
| Accountability | ✦ Partner names on every placement. Two partners means double the accountability — not shared responsibility. | Distributed. Unclear ownership. | Stronger than global, varies by firm. |
What Clients Say
Results that speak for themselves
I couldn't speak more highly of the entire team. Congratulations on creating something very special that is a credit to you all!
I was really impressed with my first search with your team. Every week there were meaningful updates, helpful prep, and the interview processes themselves were incredibly well organized and thorough. Looking forward to working with you all again!
Questions We Hear
Straight answers to straight questions
The questions every firm eventually asks.
Ready to Search Differently?
Tell us the role.
We’ll talk it through.
Come with the position you’re trying to fill — or just the problem you’re trying to solve. We’ll walk through how we’d approach it, who we’d go after, and whether we’re the right fit. No agenda. Just a frank conversation.
of clients
come back
Industry avg: ~50%