Contingency Search

A responsive solution for clearly scoped, time-sensitive mandates.

When speed and access are priorities, we run targeted outreach campaigns within our network and curated talent pools. This model is designed for clients who need execution-ready candidates and a streamlined process – without sacrificing quality.

Contingency Solutions

A responsive, high-velocity solution for second-in-command search.

We support clients with clearly defined needs who require fast access to high-caliber talent. Our contingency model leverages targeted outreach, pre-qualified talent pools, and real-time market data to deliver execution-ready candidates at pace – without the overhead of a full retained process.

Through focused calibration and streamlined delivery, we help clients quickly benchmark talent, test role assumptions, and drive hiring momentum. The process is fast, but never shallow – with rigour applied where it counts: fit, context, and readiness to lead from day one.

Our Experience

Over a decade of experience leading senior searches across listed businesses, private equity-backed firms, and privately held companies.

We have placed leaders into a wide range of operating environments, and we understand how the shape of a role shifts with ownership structure, scale, and internal dynamics. No two COO or Chief of Staff mandates are the same – each requires careful definition, precise alignment, and a tailored approach.

Context-Driven Processes

Every mandate is shaped by its own context – ownership model, internal structure, leadership dynamics, and the specific challenges facing the business.

Our process is built to surface those variables early, translate them into a structured success profile, and run a search that’s aligned to both the role and the environment it operates within.

We ask better questions up front, so our clients make better hiring decisions at the end.

The Keystone guide to hiring a Chief Operating Officer or Chief of Staff in 2025