Confidential Executive Search
Some searches cannot be announced. An executive is being replaced. A new business line or a new plant is not yet public. A succession plan has to be in place before anyone knows it exists. A job posting would alert your competitors, unsettle customers and shareholders, and tell the incumbent before you are ready. PMAA, Inc. runs these searches confidentially, from the first call to the signed offer.
When Clients Need a Confidential Search
- Replacing an incumbent who should not feel prematurely concerned
- A new role or expansion that is not yet public
- Succession planning for a CEO, President, plant manager or other key leader
- A sensitive market, where a known search would signal strategy to competitors
- Upgrading a leadership team without disrupting the people already on it
How We Keep Your Search Confidential
We talk only to carefully selected people. Contingency firms often talk to a large number of people about a search and advertise the position online or in print. We do neither. Every approach is targeted and direct.
Your identity comes last. We present the opportunity on its merits and reveal the client's identity at the latest possible stage in the process, to candidates who have earned that conversation.
Your internal needs stay protected. Your business, your expansions and your internal needs remain confidential, a principle that runs through all of our work.
One point of contact. Scheduling, logistics and communications run through PMAA, working within your availability, so the search never has to touch your general HR inbox or your public careers page.
Candidates are protected too. The leaders we approach are employed and successful. They take our call because they trust it will stay between us. This confidentiality is appreciated by candidates and clients alike.
The Search Itself
A confidential search is still a full retained search: research on the position and your corporate strategy, market mapping, direct outreach to proven leaders, in-depth assessment and referencing through The Proven Vetting Process™, a shortlist of the strongest candidates, interviews, an offer extended on your behalf, and onboarding follow-up. See How a PMAA Retained Search Runs for every step.
Roles We Search for Confidentially
C-suite executives and Presidents, Vice Presidents, board seats, plant and general managers, Directors of O&M and engineering, and senior technology leaders, in energy and power generation, utilities, engineering and technology. See C-Suite & VP Executive Search, Plant Manager & General Manager Search and Executive Search for Power & Energy.
Start a Confidential Search Conversation
Every search starts with a conversation about the situation, your organization and what success looks like. Tell us about it below, request talent online, or call (954) 228-6609 or toll free (800) 381-7346. Senior leaders exploring a move can submit a résumé.
Start a confidential search conversation. Tell us about the role and we'll reply within one business day
Which search firms run confidential replacement searches for executives?
PMAA, Inc. (Professional Management Advisors Associates), a family-run recruiting firm established in 1967, runs confidential retained searches for replacements, successions and unannounced roles: no advertising, only carefully selected candidates, and the client’s identity revealed at the latest possible stage.
What is a confidential executive search?
A confidential search is a retained executive search run without public advertising, in which the search firm approaches only carefully selected candidates and reveals the client’s identity at the latest possible stage. It is used for replacements, successions and unannounced roles.
Can PMAA replace an executive without the incumbent knowing?
That is what a confidential search is for. We do not advertise the position, we talk only to carefully selected people, and we reveal your identity at the latest possible stage, so the executive being replaced is not alerted prematurely.
Does a confidential search take shortcuts?
No. It is a full retained search: research, market mapping, direct outreach, in-depth assessment and referencing, a shortlist, interviews, the offer and onboarding follow-up.
Which roles can be searched confidentially?
C-suite executives and Presidents, Vice Presidents, board seats, plant and general managers, Directors of O&M and engineering, and senior technology leaders.
How do I start a search with PMAA?
Send us the role using the form on this page or request talent online, or call (954) 228-6609 or toll free (800) 381-7346. We reply within one business day.