Pricing & Guarantee
Executive search is an investment with a defined outcome. We price our work to reflect the scope of the mandate and the level of protection you want if the placement does not work out. All fees are based on a percentage of annual salary for the placed candidate.
Essential Placement
6-month replacement guarantee
Subject to the terms of the engagement agreement.
Covers the full search process — candidate sourcing, screening, shortlisting, reference and background verification, and placement. Suited to mid-senior roles where the organization has a defined profile and a clear internal process for onboarding the successful candidate.
Start a SearchMost searches
Premium Assurance
12-month replacement guarantee
Subject to the terms of the engagement agreement.
Includes everything in Essential Placement, with an extended replacement window for added protection. Well suited to Director-level and senior operational roles where the cost of a mis-hire compounds over the first year of tenure.
Start a SearchExecutive Excellence
24-month replacement guarantee
Subject to the terms of the engagement agreement.
Full-service executive search for CEO, Executive Director, and other senior leadership roles where the placement decision is high-stakes and the replacement window needs to reflect the full integration and performance evaluation period.
Start a SearchOur fees are based on a percentage of the placed candidate's annual salary and are confirmed in the terms of engagement. Contact us to receive our full fee schedule.
If a placed candidate voluntarily resigns within the guarantee period, Dilys Search will conduct a replacement search at no additional fee. The guarantee applies to voluntary departure only. The replacement guarantee period begins on the candidate's first day. All guarantees are subject to the terms of the engagement agreement.
The following situations do not trigger the replacement guarantee:
Fees are paid in three stages across the lifecycle of the search:
Stage 1 — On engagement
One-third of the total fee is invoiced when the terms of engagement are signed. This initiates the search.
Stage 2 — On offer acceptance
One-third is invoiced when the successful candidate accepts the offer in writing.
Stage 3 — On start date
The final third is invoiced on the candidate's first day. This is the stage tied to the replacement guarantee.
The fee is calculated on the annual base salary of the placed candidate, as confirmed in the offer letter.
If the final offer salary differs from the range agreed at engagement, the fee is recalculated against the actual placed salary. We confirm this in writing before the offer is extended.
The guarantee applies to voluntary resignation. It does not apply to termination without cause, layoffs due to restructuring, or departures that result from client-initiated changes to the role after placement. See the full exclusions below the tier cards for the complete list.
We will continue to work the replacement search within the guarantee window. If the engagement is ended by the client before a replacement is placed, the guarantee is void.
Tier selection is confirmed at engagement. If you want to upgrade your guarantee level after the search has begun, contact us and we will discuss the adjustment.
Reply with your preferred search tier and send us what you have on the role — job description, compensation range, portfolio details, and any specific requirements or priorities. We will prepare the terms of engagement and the initial invoice. Once the terms are signed and the first payment is received, we initiate the search.