Executive Recruitment FAQs

What kind of positions do you recruit for?

We conduct senior-level searches including CEO, President, and General Management positions among other leadership roles (Marketing, Communications, HR, Finance, Operations, etc.). With a deep understanding and background in Marketing leadership, we are often retained for positions that will drive growth and/or have an impact on an organization’s success.

Do you specialize in any industries?

We represent clients in a variety of categories including healthcare, financial services, consumer products, higher education, not-for-profit, technology, professional services, among others. We are particularly adept at working within industries where Marketing is evolving as a strategic function.

Since clients pay you, should I trust you have my best interests at heart?

Yes, we are paid a fee by our clients to recruit top executives for their organizations and enjoy long-standing relationships with these clients. It is also in our interest, both short and long term, that the candidate be successful for the long haul. It's our belief that we are in the recruiting and retention business. In many cases, the successful Ward Group candidate of today turns into a future Ward Group client. Because our success is predicated on successful long-term relationships with the candidate and client, it is very important to us that a candidate believes we have their best interests at heart.

Who pays your fee?

Clients retain us to conduct searches. Fees are not paid by candidates.

What are some examples of the functional areas in marketing for which you recruit?

• CMO/Brand/Product Management

• Strategic Planning

• Digital Marketing/Social/E-commerce

• Advertising

• Content Strategy and Development

• Corporate Communications Marketing Communications

• Media

• Marketing Consulting

• Business Development

Do you have a salary level under which you do not conduct searches?

While the majority of our searches are at an executive level, we have built teams within organizations that include positions at more junior levels.

Do you recruit nationally?

Yes, we have both a national client and candidate base.

Will my resume be distributed without my knowledge?

Absolutely not. We greatly value our relationships with candidates. We take the time to get to know them and meet with all active candidates. Without exception, we do not share information about a candidate with our clients until we both agree to move forward with an opportunity.

What’s the difference between contingency and retained search?

Contingency firms are paid a fee if and when they place a candidate with a client organization. Retained firms are engaged, usually exclusively, to conduct a search for a client and are paid a fee over the course of the assignment.

What’s the best way to work with a retained search firm?

In short, it’s communication and understanding the nature of retained search. It is a benefit to candidates that we have your most recent information, including your resume, address, compensation expectation, what your ideal next position is, etc. Knowing that there are a select group of assignments we are working on at any time, there may or may not be an appropriate search for your aspirations. Nevertheless, we view our business as a relationship business and look to build and maintain relationships with the candidates we come in contact with.

What do you do to make sure I'm successful in my new position?

We are as much in the retention business as we are in the recruitment business. Ensuring the success of the new employee is something we take very seriously. We stay in frequent contact with the new employee to surface issues that may be uncomfortable for him or her to share with their new employer. Our New Employee Onboarding process has been successfully deployed by many of our clients.