Appointments made to last.
The right permanent hire compounds in value for years. The wrong one costs a reporting cycle, a team’s confidence and a year of momentum. We exist to make sure you get the first kind.
Hiring problems we hear every week.
Most clients come to us after an experience that fell short. These are the problems they describe, and how we solve them.
“The last hire looked right on paper and left within a year.”
Mis-hires are rarely technical failures; they are failures of fit. We assess temperament, motivation and cultural alignment as rigorously as capability, and we tell you honestly when a candidate is wrong for your environment, even when it costs us the placement.
“Every agency sends the same CVs from the same job boards.”
Most of the professionals we place were not looking. Because we have worked these markets since 2006, we know where the strongest performers sit and, crucially, which of them would consider a move. Our shortlists come from the market, not the database.
“The role is too specialist for a generalist recruiter to understand.”
“Hiring is urgent, but a rushed appointment would be worse than none.”
A search process built for conviction.
The brief
We invest time in understanding your team, your culture and the specific demands of the role before any search begins. A precise brief is the difference between a shortlist and a list.
The search
We map the market systematically: who holds comparable roles, who is genuinely strong, and who would move. Most of our placements come from approaches, not applications.
The shortlist
A considered shortlist of professionals assessed for technical depth, commercial judgement and fit, typically within two to three weeks, each one interviewed by us first.
The appointment
We manage offer, negotiation and resignation with care on both sides, and we stay close through onboarding, because our measure of success is the anniversary, not the start date.
Three ways to run your permanent search.
Every appointment requires a considered approach. You may need swift access to suitable candidates already considering a move, a dedicated search for scarce expertise, or a discreet process for a critical leadership appointment. We recommend the engagement model that fits, drawing on our sector knowledge, established relationships and honest advice.
Carnegie Select
Relevant candidates who are ready to move.
Our contingent recruitment service draws on our network and targeted sourcing to identify suitable people who are actively looking or receptive to a new opportunity.
Suited to clearly defined roles where the relevant skills are reasonably available, with a fee payable only on successful placement.
Carnegie Aligned
A dedicated search beyond the actively looking market.
An exclusive recruitment partnership with dedicated time to understand your business, shape the opportunity and engage the wider relevant talent pool.
We map the agreed market and approach suitable people directly, including those who are not looking for a new role. An upfront engagement fee supports the work, giving you broader candidate choice and clear visibility of progress.
Carnegie Executive Search
Comprehensive, discreet search for critical appointments.
Our most comprehensive service for senior and business-critical appointments, where the right individual can materially influence business performance.
Through detailed research, carefully managed approaches and deeper assessment, we help you make a well-informed appointment. Delivered on a retained basis, with senior involvement and discretion throughout.
Which approach fits your appointment?
The answer depends on the skills you need, where the talent is based, your timeframe and the impact of the hire. International searches, multiple appointments and additional assessment may also shape the work required. Tell us what you need to achieve and we’ll give you a clear recommendation and explain why.
From controller to the hardest technical brief.
- Finance Directors and Financial Controllers
- Fund Accountants and Portfolio Analysts
- Investment and Portfolio Finance Specialists
- Technical Accounting and Regulatory Reporting
- Treasury and Tax Specialists
- Finance Systems Specialists
Specialists in the markets that demand them.
Private Equity
Funds and portfolio companies across the full investment lifecycle.
Asset Management & Hedge Funds
Front, middle and back office across traditional and alternative strategies.
Leadership appointments
For CFO and board-level roles, our executive search practice leads the mandate.
“Our measure of success is not the start date. It is the anniversary.”
20+
Years placing finance professionals
3 wks
Typical time to shortlist
80%
Mandates from repeat clients
4
Core sectors covered in depth
Permanent recruitment, answered.
How long does a permanent finance search take with Carnegie?
Do you work on a retained or contingent basis for permanent hires?
How does Carnegie reduce the risk of a mis-hire?
What finance roles does Carnegie recruit permanently?
Making an appointment that matters?
Tell us about the role, the team and what a great outcome looks like. We will tell you honestly how we would approach it.
- Established 2006
- London · New York · Luxembourg
- Discreet & confidential