Executive Recruitment and Placement Service
Find the Right Leaders. Build Winning Teams. Drive Business Success.
The quality of your leadership team determines the trajectory of your business. In Nigeria’s competitive talent market, finding and securing exceptional executives is one of the most significant challenges organisations face. With only 11.8% of workers employed in the formal sector, competition for proven senior talent is fierce, and the cost of a wrong hire at the executive level can be catastrophic. At Qeeva Advisory, we provide executive recruitment and placement services that help you identify, attract, and secure the leaders your business needs to thrive.
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Why Nigerian Organisations Need Executive Recruitment and Placement Services
Executive recruitment is fundamentally different from general recruitment. It requires deep market knowledge, extensive networks, rigorous assessment, and the ability to engage passive candidates who may not be actively looking for opportunities. Here are the most critical challenges we help you address.
Scarcity of Proven Executive Talent – Nigeria’s formal workforce represents just 11.8% of employed citizens. For every senior executive role, there are a limited number of candidates with the right combination of experience, skills, and cultural fit. The competition for proven leaders is intense, and organisations cannot rely on traditional job postings to attract them.
The Cost of Bad Executive Hires – The cost of a wrong executive hire extends far beyond recruitment fees. A poor leadership appointment can damage team morale, disrupt strategy execution, erode stakeholder confidence, and cost millions in lost opportunities. Getting it right the first time is essential.
Passive Candidate Engagement – The best executives are typically not actively looking for new roles. They are gainfully employed and performing well. Engaging them requires a compelling proposition and a trusted approach that respects their time and confidentiality.
Succession Planning Gaps – Many organisations lack a robust leadership pipeline, creating gaps when key leaders depart. Without effective succession planning and executive recruitment capabilities, critical roles remain unfilled, and institutional knowledge is lost.
Cultural Fit and Values Alignment – Technical competence is necessary but not sufficient for executive success. Leaders must align with your organisation’s values, culture, and strategic direction. Assessing cultural fit requires deep understanding of both the candidate and your organisation.
Confidentiality Requirements – Executive searches often involve sensitive situations, including replacing a departing leader or making strategic hires without alerting competitors. Confidentiality is paramount throughout the process.
Misaligned Compensation Expectations – Compensation expectations for senior executives in Nigeria vary widely, and misalignment can derail otherwise promising hires. Understanding market benchmarks and structuring competitive packages is essential.
The Solution: Strategic Executive Recruitment and Placement
We help you find and secure the leaders your business needs to grow. Our approach combines deep market knowledge, extensive networks, rigorous assessment methodologies, and a commitment to long-term success.
At Qeeva Advisory, we understand that executive recruitment is not about filling vacancies—it is about building leadership capacity that drives business success. We take a strategic approach to each search, understanding your business, culture, and goals before identifying and engaging the best candidates in the market.
Our team brings together deep expertise in executive search, human capital advisory, and performance management. We help you search for the best human capital that aligns with your growth plans. Whether you need a CEO, board director, C-suite executive, or senior functional leader, we provide the expertise and commitment to help you make the right hire.
Our Comprehensive Executive Recruitment and Placement Services
We offer end-to-end executive recruitment and placement services tailored to the Nigerian business environment.
Executive Search and Selection
We help you identify and attract exceptional executive talent.
Role Definition and Success Profiling – We work with you to define the role, responsibilities, and success criteria for the executive position. We develop a candidate profile that articulates the technical competencies, leadership capabilities, and cultural attributes required for success.
Market Mapping – We conduct comprehensive market mapping to identify potential candidates across industries, geographies, and functional areas. We leverage our networks and research capabilities to build a complete picture of the available talent.
Candidate Identification and Engagement – We identify and engage candidates through our extensive networks, industry relationships, and targeted research. We approach passive candidates discreetly and compellingly, presenting the opportunity in a way that generates interest and respect.
Rigorous Assessment – We assess candidates through structured interviews, competency-based questioning, psychometric assessment, and reference checking. We evaluate technical competence, leadership capability, cultural fit, and motivation.
Shortlist Presentation – We present a shortlist of the most qualified candidates, along with detailed assessment reports and recommendations. We help you evaluate each candidate’s strengths, development areas, and fit with your organisation.
Interview Coordination – We coordinate the interview process, including scheduling, preparation, and feedback. We help you design interview processes that reveal candidate capabilities and fit.
Offer Negotiation and Closing – We support offer negotiation, helping you structure competitive packages that attract top talent while managing budget considerations. We manage the closing process to ensure successful acceptance.
Onboarding Support – We help ensure successful onboarding by supporting the executive’s integration into your organisation. We provide onboarding resources, check-ins, and support during the critical first 90 days.
C-Suite and Board Search
We specialise in recruiting at the highest levels of leadership.
CEO and Managing Director Search – We help boards and organisations identify and recruit exceptional CEOs and Managing Directors. These searches require deep market knowledge, board-level communication, and rigorous assessment of leadership capability and strategic fit.
C-Suite Executive Search – We recruit Chief Financial Officers, Chief Operating Officers, Chief Technology Officers, Chief Marketing Officers, and other C-suite executives. We understand the technical and leadership requirements of each functional role.
Board Director Recruitment – We help boards identify and recruit non-executive directors, independent directors, and board chairs. We assess governance capability, independence, and contribution potential.
Family Business Leadership – We help family businesses recruit external executives who can complement family leadership and drive professionalisation. We understand the unique dynamics of family enterprises.
Functional Executive Search
We recruit senior leaders across all business functions.
Finance and Accounting – We recruit CFOs, Finance Directors, Financial Controllers, and senior finance professionals.
Operations and Supply Chain – We recruit COOs, Operations Directors, Supply Chain Directors, and senior operations leaders.
Technology and Digital – We recruit CTOs, CIOs, CDOs, and senior technology leaders who can drive digital transformation.
Human Resources – We recruit CHROs, HR Directors, and senior HR leaders who can build high-performance cultures.
Sales and Marketing – We recruit CMOs, Sales Directors, Marketing Directors, and senior commercial leaders who can drive revenue growth.
Legal and Compliance – We recruit General Counsel, Company Secretaries, and senior legal and compliance professionals.
Talent Mapping and Pipeline Development
We help you build long-term leadership pipelines.
Talent Mapping – We map the talent landscape for critical roles, identifying current and future leaders across the market. This provides visibility into available talent and supports proactive succession planning.
Succession Pipeline Development – We help you build internal and external succession pipelines for critical roles. We identify high-potential candidates and develop them for future leadership.
Talent Intelligence – We provide market intelligence on compensation trends, talent availability, and competitor hiring activity.
Executive Compensation Advisory
We help you structure competitive executive compensation packages.
Compensation Benchmarking – We benchmark executive compensation against market data, ensuring your packages are competitive and aligned with your business objectives.
Incentive Design – We help design executive incentive plans that align rewards with performance and shareholder interests. This includes short-term incentives, long-term incentives, and equity plans.
Negotiation Support – We support compensation negotiation, helping you find solutions that work for both parties.
Onboarding and Integration Support
We help ensure your new executive succeeds.
Onboarding Planning – We help you plan a structured onboarding process that accelerates the executive’s transition into the role.
First 90 Days Support – We provide support during the critical first 90 days, including check-ins, coaching, and problem-solving.
Integration Coaching – We provide coaching to help the new executive navigate cultural dynamics, build relationships, and establish credibility.
Executive Assessment Framework
We use a rigorous assessment framework to evaluate executive candidates.
Technical Competence – We assess functional expertise, industry knowledge, and track record of results.
Leadership Capability – We evaluate strategic thinking, team leadership, decision-making, and change management capabilities.
Emotional Intelligence – We assess self-awareness, relationship management, empathy, and emotional regulation.
Cultural Fit – We evaluate alignment with your organisation’s values, culture, and ways of working.
Motivation and Engagement – We understand what drives the candidate, what they seek in their next role, and how the opportunity aligns with their career aspirations.
Risk Factors – We identify potential risk factors, including red flags in their track record, reference feedback, or assessment results.
Industries We Serve
We provide executive recruitment and placement services across multiple sectors in Nigeria.
Financial Services – We recruit executives for banks, insurance companies, fintech firms, and investment organisations.
Technology and Digital – We recruit technology leaders for tech companies, digital businesses, and corporate technology functions.
Manufacturing – We recruit executives for manufacturers, including operations, finance, and general management roles.
Oil and Gas – We recruit executives for energy sector organisations, including technical, operational, and commercial leadership roles.
Professional Services – We recruit partners and executives for law firms, consultancies, accounting firms, and other professional service organisations.
Healthcare – We recruit executives for hospitals, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical companies.
Retail and Consumer Goods – We recruit commercial and operational leaders for retail and FMCG organisations.
Real Estate and Construction – We recruit executives for developers, construction companies, and real estate firms.
Non-Profit and NGOs – We recruit executives for mission-driven organisations.
Our Engagement Process
We follow a structured, collaborative process to deliver successful executive recruitment outcomes.
Phase 1: Discovery and Role Definition – We understand your organisation, culture, strategy, and the role you are recruiting. We define the success profile and candidate specification.
Phase 2: Market Mapping and Candidate Identification – We map the market and identify potential candidates. We conduct targeted research and leverage our networks to build a comprehensive candidate list.
Phase 3: Candidate Engagement and Assessment – We approach candidates discreetly, present the opportunity, and conduct rigorous assessment. We evaluate competence, leadership, fit, and motivation.
Phase 4: Shortlist and Selection – We present a shortlist of qualified candidates and support the interview and selection process.
Phase 5: Offer and Onboarding – We support offer negotiation, manage the closing process, and provide onboarding support to ensure successful integration.
Phase 6: Post-Placement Support – We provide ongoing support during the first 90 days and beyond, ensuring successful integration and performance.
Why Choose Qeeva Advisory for Executive Recruitment
Deep Market Knowledge – We understand Nigeria’s executive talent market, including where talent resides, what they seek, and how to engage them effectively.
Extensive Networks – We have extensive networks across industries and functions, enabling us to identify and engage executives who may not be visible through traditional channels.
Rigorous Assessment – We use structured, competency-based assessment methodologies that evaluate technical competence, leadership capability, and cultural fit.
Discretion and Confidentiality – We handle executive searches with the utmost discretion and confidentiality, protecting your organisation and candidates.
Human Capital Expertise – Our team brings deep expertise in human capital advisory, performance management, and organisational development. We help you search for the best human capital that aligns with your growth plans.
Long-Term Partnership – We build lasting relationships, providing ongoing support as your leadership needs evolve.
Practical and Actionable – We provide practical solutions tailored to your business size, industry, and specific challenges.
Confidentiality and Integrity – We treat your business and candidate information with the highest level of confidentiality.
Related Services
Management Consulting Services – We provide management consulting services to support your goals of keeping pace with changes in the business environment, competition, and government regulation.
Learn More About Management Consulting
Human Resources Consulting – We help you build a motivated, high-performing workforce. We provide strategic human capital advisory to optimise workforce performance.
Learn More About Human Resources Consulting
Background Checks / Verification Services – We offer background check, certificate and credential verification. We follow up on references supplied by candidates to confirm their suitability.
Learn More About Background Checks / Verification
Employee Onboarding Services – We provide onboarding support to our clients to retain their talents. This ensures that the new hire settles into their new jobs with confidence.
Learn More About Employee Onboarding
Salary and Job Grading Review – Salary and job grading review deals with the procedure involved in analyzing the obligations, duties, remuneration and requirement of every job and then appraising the value of these jobs.
Learn More About Salary and Job Grading Review
Performance Management Systems – We plan, design and recommend for implementation performance measurement and appraisal systems that provide a valid basis for employee performance.
Learn More About Performance Management Systems
Talent Attraction and Retention Advisory – Build a workforce that stays and a culture that attracts.
Learn More About Talent Attraction and Retention
Suggested Reading
Why Every Business Needs A Strong Company Secretary – A strong company secretary is essential for businesses in Nigeria, especially for foreign investors navigating regulatory frameworks.
Corporate Strategic Planning Tips for Small Businesses in Nigeria – Effective strategic planning for small businesses begins with observing and amending the foundational aspects of the business, including culture and values.
Common Accounting Errors That Affect Profitability in Nigeria – Accounting errors quietly drain profits, attract penalties, and limit growth.
Preparing a Business for External Audits in Nigeria – External audits can be daunting, but with the right preparation, they become an opportunity to demonstrate your business’s financial integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is executive recruitment and placement?
Executive recruitment and placement is the specialised process of identifying, assessing, and securing senior leaders for an organisation. It differs from general recruitment in its focus on passive candidates, rigorous assessment, and the strategic importance of the roles being filled.
2. Why do I need an executive search firm?
Executive search firms bring deep market knowledge, extensive networks, and rigorous assessment capabilities that are difficult to replicate internally. We can identify and engage candidates who are not actively looking, assess them rigorously, and manage the process confidentially.
3. How long does an executive search take?
A typical executive search takes 8-12 weeks from engagement to placement, depending on the seniority of the role, market conditions, and candidate availability. Complex or confidential searches may take longer.
4. What is your assessment methodology?
We use a structured assessment framework that evaluates technical competence, leadership capability, emotional intelligence, cultural fit, and motivation. We use competency-based interviews, psychometric assessment, and reference checking.
5. How do you ensure cultural fit?
We invest significant time understanding your organisation’s culture, values, and ways of working. We then assess candidates against these criteria, using behavioural interviewing and reference checks to evaluate fit.
6. Do you recruit for board positions?
Yes. We recruit non-executive directors, independent directors, and board chairs. We assess governance capability, independence, and contribution potential.
7. Do you serve businesses outside Lagos?
Yes. While our head office is in Ikeja, Lagos, we serve businesses across Nigeria. Our executive recruitment services are available to clients regardless of location.
8. How do I get started?
Contact us to schedule your free consultation. We’ll discuss your executive recruitment needs, assess your situation, and provide recommendations for how we can help.
Contact Us
Find the right leaders, build winning teams, and drive business success. Let us build a partnership that helps you secure the executive talent your business needs.
Schedule Your Free Consultation to discuss your executive recruitment and placement needs and explore how we can help.
Phone: +234 802 320 0801, +234 807 576 5799
Email: info@qeeva.com
Address: 5, Ishola Bello Close, Off Iyalla Street, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
Business Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM WAT