By Bestcare Manpower Services
Leadership shapes everything. The executives, directors, and senior managers at the helm of an organisation determine its culture, its strategic direction, its capacity for innovation, and ultimately its long-term success or failure. Hiring at this level demands a fundamentally different approach from standard recruitment — one that combines rigorous research, deep market knowledge, discreet outreach, and precise candidate assessment. This is the domain of executive search, and it is one of Bestcare Manpower Services’ core specialisations.
What Is Executive Search?
Executive search — sometimes called headhunting — is a proactive, targeted approach to identifying and attracting senior-level talent. Unlike conventional recruitment, which relies on advertising and waiting for applications, executive search involves actively mapping the market, identifying high-performing individuals who may not be actively seeking a new role, and engaging them through a carefully managed, confidential process.
At Bestcare, we apply this methodology to C-suite appointments, board-level roles, divisional heads, senior technical leads, and other positions where the quality of the hire has an outsized impact on organisational performance.
Phase One: Briefing and Position Definition
Every successful executive search begins with a comprehensive briefing. We meet with your leadership team — including the hiring authority and key stakeholders — to develop a precise understanding of the role, the organisation’s strategic context, the challenges the incoming executive will face, and the leadership profile that will thrive in your specific environment.
This is not a box-ticking exercise. We probe deeply: What does success look like at twelve months? What has made past holders of this role succeed or struggle? What is the culture of the leadership team this person will join? The answers shape every subsequent step of the process.
Phase Two: Market Mapping and Candidate Identification
Armed with a clear position specification, our research team begins a systematic mapping of the relevant talent landscape. We identify individuals currently operating at the required level across competitor organisations, adjacent industries, and functional peer groups. This process surfaces both active candidates and passive ones — often the most compelling executive talent is not on the open market.
We build a longlist of potential candidates through direct research, our proprietary network, and referrals from trusted industry contacts. Every name on the longlist is assessed against the defined position specification before any outreach is made.
Phase Three: Discreet Outreach and Engagement
Executive search requires tact. Many of the individuals we approach are currently in senior positions at respected organisations. Our outreach is professional, confidential, and respectful of their current commitments. We present the opportunity compellingly without revealing your organisation’s identity until the appropriate stage.
Initial conversations allow us to assess genuine interest, career motivation, and cultural alignment before we invest further in the process or ask you to invest your time.
Phase Four: Assessment and Shortlisting
Candidates who pass initial screening proceed to a rigorous assessment stage. This includes structured competency interviews conducted by our consultants, psychometric evaluation where appropriate, thorough reference checks with former colleagues and supervisors, and verification of qualifications and career history.
We then present you with a concise shortlist — typically three to five thoroughly evaluated candidates — along with detailed profiles and our assessment commentary. You receive quality, not volume.
Phase Five: Interview Support and Offer Management
We coordinate and support your interview process, provide candidate preparation and feedback, and manage the delicate negotiation phase through to a formal offer and acceptance. Our involvement does not end at placement. We conduct follow-up check-ins during the integration period to ensure a smooth transition for both you and the incoming executive.
Why Choose Bestcare for Executive Search?
Our consultants bring sector-specific knowledge, a wide professional network across Kenya and the East African region, and a track record of successful placements at senior levels. We operate with complete confidentiality and a commitment to finding the best possible fit — not simply the most available candidate.
To discuss an executive search mandate, contact us on 0709 004 600 or email info@bestcareservices.co.ke.