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Executive search
Secure the right leaders for your organisation with our tailored executive search service in Australia. Our industry-leading recruiters across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide connect you with professionals who share your vision and are ready to drive your business forward.
Connecting like-minded leaders and employers through executive search
Exceptional leadership transforms organisations. The right executive drives performance, shapes culture, and delivers lasting impact from the boardroom to the bottom line.
For 40 years, we have mastered the art of identifying top-tier leaders and matching them with organisations where they can thrive. Employers and executives trust us for executive recruitment in Australia, to align vision, expertise, and leadership with the right opportunities, both in Australia and globally.
Let’s talk
Our executive search service connects the best organisations with the brightest leaders. Contact us to find out more.
Why choose Robert Walters to handle your executive recruitment needs?
Receive a tailored service. With 40 years in operation, we have gained a proven record as an executive search firm that delivers a professional service that is crafted to meet your business needs.
Partner with industry experts. Many of our executive recruiters come from the industries they serve, meaning they have built hyper-specialist knowledge of the industry you operate in.
Acquire data driven insights. Our executive recruitment strategy is highly targeted, defined by the insights from our market intelligence function.
Take advantage of our global reach. Our International Candidate Management teams have access to the top talent pools from across the globe.
Share our expertise. Giving you access to our specialist knowledge and in-depth experience though a broad range of insights, advice and thought leadership.
Executive hiring in Australia: Our specialist recruitment approach
We connect you with expert executive search recruiters in Australia specialising across multiple disciplines. Our refined process delivers a tailored shortlist, perfectly aligned with your recruitment brief.
As executive search specialists, we conduct comprehensive research, multi-channel sourcing, and detailed market mapping to create a bespoke talent pool.
This sophisticated search approach provides access to active and passive executives beyond traditional channels, delivering a tailored shortlist to help you find your next leader.
Maximise the impact of your executive search
Executive search is the foundation. Add services like coaching, assessment or benchmarking to strengthen outcomes depending on your goals.
Accelerated impact
Finding the right leader is one thing. Helping them succeed quickly is another. Executive coaching or transition coaching can be paired with search to support leaders in their first months and accelerate impact.
Competitive advantage
Securing top executives requires a compelling offer. Salary benchmarking can be added to ensure your packages are market aligned, competitive and support long term retention.
Evidence based decisions
Interviews tell part of the story. Candidate assessment can be added to a search process to give greater evidence on decision making, leadership style and cultural fit.
Speak to our Executive Search team
Ella Morgan
Business Director, Executive Adelaide
Ella brings nearly 20 years’ experience in the South Australian market. She specialises in placing executive-level professionals, helping clients secure top-tier talent.
Giuseppe Nasca
Business Director, Executive Adelaide
Giuseppe joined Robert Walters in 2004. Giuseppe is a highly driven international executive recruitment professional within marketing and has experience in the markets of the UK, Europe, Australia and Asia-Pacific.
Rose Guise
Senior Director, Melbourne
With over 10 years at Robert Walters, including a successful tenure as Associate Director in Wellington, Rose now leads our Melbourne office as Senior Director, driving strategic growth and client delivery.
Kris Viner
Senior Director, Sydney
Starting his recruitment career in 2004 at Robert Walters London, focusing on tech roles in financial services. Kris brings over 20 years’ experience across UK and Australian markets.
Michelle Christie
Senior Commercial Director – Australia & Senior Director Adelaide
With 23+ years’ HR and advisory experience, Michelle partners with Executive teams and Boards across corporate, government, and enterprise sectors to shape workforce strategies that drive long-term growth.
Jane Lowney
Senior Director, Brisbane
Jane has 15 years of recruitment experience, specialising in executive-level project and operational leadership roles across various asset classes in Australia. She was awarded RCSA Recruiter of the Year in 2018.
Jodie Gillespie
Senior Director, Perth
Jodie brings 18+ years of invaluable expertise to the recruitment arena. With a profound understanding of the West Australian market, she specialises in sourcing skilled professionals within the dynamic technology sector.
Executive coaching and leadership development programmes
Tailormade coaching programmes designed to meet the needs of leaders at any stage of their career journey. We invest time in understanding the role of the individual and the organisational strategy to provide bespoke coaching services that enable professionals to fulfil their unique potential.
Our approach empowers leaders to engage in self-discovery and define learning goals, giving leaders the tools to improve their professional performance. Our learning programmes are delivered by industry leading coaches and include executive coaching, transition coaching, leadership development and candidate assessment.
Testimonials
Executive Search success stories
Real success stories from businesses and executives who found the right fit through Robert Walters Executive Search.
The Robert Walters team worked very closely with us and our project team, providing support every step of the way including assisting with salary benchmarking, position description development and market analysis as well as traditional recruitment services. We value our relationship with Robert Walters, and I have no hesitation recommending them to any company.
Transport & Logistics
Rail Infrastructure
I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the exceptional recruiting services provided by the team at Robert Walters. Their professional and personalised approach played a pivotal role in my successful placement as a Chief Information and Digital Officer (CIDO).
The team's proactive communication, transparent feedback, and commitment to aligning my career goals with the CIDO role were truly impressive. Their efforts not only ensured a smooth onboarding process but also facilitated my seamless integration into the company.
I extend my thanks to the entire Robert Walters team for their vital support. Please convey this appreciation to the team as a testament to their commitment to excellence.
Transport & Logistics
Rail Transport
Robert Walters was engaged to manage the executive search for the new CEO of our company. The requirements for the role were challenging, as we are a NFP runs both community sports, elite competitive sports and two major facilities. Robert Walters was able to put together a high-quality shortlist of candidates. The successful candidate brought international sports administration experience and has been a good cultural fit for the organisation. We would recommend Robert Walters without qualification.
Sports & Recreation
Sporting Association
The team at Robert Walters were great, I had a number of roles to secure from varying parts of the business and in a relatively short time including our CEO. Robert Walters did a fantastic job of understanding who we are, what we are about and conveying this to candidates.
Having that central understanding made it easy to work across various roles and different specialist. The biggest challenge was picking from the shortlist of high calibre candidates that came through.
Investment
Iwi Investment & Consulting
The team at Robert Walters were instrumental in the search, selection and shortlisting of candidates for board and subcommittee positions. Their extensive networks yielded perfect matches as well as non-traditional options which supported the diversity targets.
Sports & Recreation
National Sporting Association
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Our track record
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43,000
Executive professionals we help start their next chapter
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11,000
Organisations who we help acquire executive talent
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85%
Of professionals refer us to a friend
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90%
Of organisations recruit more than one role through us
Executive Search Capability Document
Contact us to discuss your executive recruitment needs
An award-winning service
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Read MoreFAQs
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What are the benefits of partnering with an executive search firm?
Access to top talent: Partnering with an executive search firm provides access to exclusive networks and highly qualified candidates who aren't actively job hunting.
Industry expertise: Executive search companies offer deep industry insights and expert assessments, ensuring candidates are a perfect fit for your company culture.
Streamlined recruitment: These firms handle candidate screening, interviews, and assessments, significantly saving your organisation time and resources.
Strategic advantage: Utilising an executive hiring firm gives your company a competitive edge by quickly securing top executive talent ahead of your competitors.
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What industries in Australia do you specialise in for executive recruitment?
At Robert Walters, we specialise in executive recruitment across a range of professional industries. Our expertise includes:
- Finance: Recruiting top-tier finance executives such as CFOs, controllers, and treasurers to drive financial strategy and growth.
- Corporate Leadership: Placing CEOs, COOs, and other senior executives who can lead and inspire across diverse sectors.
- Technology: Identifying leaders like CTOs and IT directors to keep your organisation ahead in the tech landscape.
- Healthcare: Sourcing administrators, chief medical officers, and healthcare CFOs to manage and grow healthcare organisations.
- Engineering & Resources: Supporting technical and executive leadership roles across transport, mining, energy and utilities.
- Marketing and Sales: Finding dynamic CMOs, sales directors, and other leaders to boost business development and market presence.
- Human Resources: Recruiting HR executives, including CHROs and HR directors, to foster organisational culture and drive HR strategies.
We operate in multiple locations across Australia, providing localised expertise with a global reach. Whether you're seeking a CFO in Sydney, a CEO in Melbourne, or a finance executive in Perth, we have the resources to meet your needs.
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Can you assist with international executive searches?
Harnessing the strength of our international networks and management programs, we excel in conducting global executive searches. Our seasoned team possesses the expertise to navigate diverse talent pools worldwide, guaranteeing the identification of ideal candidates irrespective of geographical constraints. Our executive search recruitment boasts a network spanning over 30+ countries across continents and specialised knowledge in cross-cultural dynamics, we are fully equipped to meet your hiring needs on a global scale. -
How can I find data to benchmark salaries?
In the realm of executive search, our Salary Guide stands as a comprehensive guide to salaries and hiring trends in Australia. Drawing from the analysis of over 100,000 placements, encompassing permanent, interim, and contract roles, our survey offers in-depth insights into AU-specific salary and benefits across various industries.
Request your copy of the Salary Survey guide to accurately benchmark salaries to attract and retain top talent.
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Can you assist with Interim Appointments?
We specialise in quickly identifying and placing highly qualified interim executives who will step in and make an immediate impact be it for a short-term project or bridging a leadership gap. -
What are the latest recruitment trends in executive search in Australia?
Executive search across Australia is shifting toward skills-based hiring, with organisations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide prioritising competencies like digital transformation, strategic leadership, and ESG expertise. Emotional intelligence and adaptability have become essential criteria, as companies seek leaders who can navigate complexity and drive cultural change.
Salary transparency and personalised compensation packages are becoming standard practice, with organisations tailoring benefits to individual executive preferences including flexibility and wellness support. Partnering with an experienced executive search firm helps navigate these evolving trends and secure transformational leaders who align with your organisation's strategic vision across all major Australian markets.
Speak with our executive search specialists today to understand how these trends can shape your leadership strategy in Australia.
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How do local dynamics in Sydney influence the Executive Search sector?
Melbourne's executive search market operates within a competitive national landscape, with each of Australia's major cities offering distinct opportunities. Sydney remains the largest market for executive positions, while Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide each demonstrate strong growth driven by sector-specific demands and regional economic activity.
Melbourne maintains a diverse executive talent pool across professional services, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology sectors. Perth's resources and energy sectors continue to generate significant executive demand, while Brisbane's infrastructure boom and corporate relocations are creating new opportunities. Adelaide's defence, technology, and advanced manufacturing industries also require specialised executive leadership.
Get in touch with our executive recruitment experts to navigate local market dynamics and secure executives who will drive your organisation forward.
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