Retained Search
A committed search for the roles that matter most
For senior, specialist and business critical roles, our retained search service gives you a committed, in depth search: deep market mapping, direct approaches and rigorous assessment, focused on finding the right person rather than simply an available one.
Why clients retain us
Specialist BFSI recruiter since 2014, built on actuarial recruitment, with deep expertise across actuarial, risk, analytics and audit, and placements that last.
Since 2014
built on actuarial recruitment
80%
screening ratio, candidates we submit get interviewed
85%
joining ratio, offers that become joiners
Committed
exclusive, in depth, end to end
The service, defined
What is retained search, and when should you use it?
Retained search is a committed, exclusive engagement for important hires. Rather than working a role alongside several other firms on a success only basis, you retain us to run a thorough, structured search: mapping the market, approaching the strongest people directly, assessing them rigorously, and presenting a considered shortlist. It suits senior and leadership roles, scarce or specialist roles, confidential searches, and business critical hires where getting the right person matters more than simply filling the seat quickly. Because the firm was built on actuarial recruitment and specialises across BFSI, our retained searches go deep into the disciplines that are hardest to hire for.
When it fits
When to choose retained search
Retained search is the right choice when the role is too important, too senior or too specialist to leave to chance. Whichever applies, the value is the same: a committed search that finds the right person, not just an available one.
Senior and leadership roles
Heads of function, senior specialists and leadership hires that shape a team.
Scarce and specialist roles
Roles where the right people are few, passive and hard to reach.
Confidential searches
Sensitive or strategic hires that call for discretion.
Business critical hires
Roles where the cost of the wrong hire, or a long vacancy, is high.
How it works
How a retained search works
A retained search is structured and thorough. We start by understanding the role, the team and what success looks like. We then map the market, identify the strongest people, approach them directly, and assess them against real capability rather than job titles. You receive a considered shortlist, supported throughout to offer, onboarding and aftercare. Our full process, from briefing to aftercare, is on our how we work page
Why clients choose us
Why clients choose us for retained search
Clients choose us for retained search because we genuinely understand the disciplines they hire for, across actuarial, risk, analytics, audit and the wider BFSI world, and because our placements last. We assess on real capability, we screen at an 80 per cent rate, our candidates join at an 85 per cent rate, and since 2014 we have had to return fewer than fifteen fees because a placement left early, backed by our 90 day replacement guarantee. For a senior or business critical hire, that discipline is exactly what you want behind the search. See our Leadership Hiring practice.
Founder led
A founder close to the work
EliteRecruitments is led by its founder, Shagun Gupta, who built the firm in India on actuarial recruitment and stays closely involved in senior and retained engagements. For an important hire, that means a firm whose founder understands both the work and the market it is built in.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of roles do you run retained searches for?
What is the difference between retained and contingency?
Do candidates pay any fees?
Start a conversation
Talk to us about a retained search
For a senior, specialist or business critical hire, a committed search makes the difference. If you have a role that matters, we would like to help you find the right person.
Thank you, we will be in touch shortly.
Your note goes to Shagun directly.