Our services
Four Service Models.One Standard of Excellence.
Service 01
Contingent Permanent
Standard permanent hires at professional, technical, and management level — when you need a shortlist of qualified people quickly.
No placement, no fee. No upfront costs. You pay when a candidate starts. Shortlists of three or four interviewed people, not a CV dump.
Guarantee: Permanent placements include a replacement guarantee as set out in our Terms of Business. Periods differ by assignment type.
Commercial model: Contingent — no placement, no fee.
How it works
- 1. Requirement briefing — role, project context, team, and the profile that will succeed.
- 2. Market search — network first, then targeted headhunting. Every candidate is spoken to.
- 3. Shortlist — 3–4 pre-qualified people with notes, salary, availability, and fit.
- 4. Interview coordination, offer mediation, and 30 / 90-day check-ins.
What is included
- — Dedicated sector specialist
- — Network search plus headhunting
- — Competency interview before you see a CV
- — Reference and qualification checks
- — Right-to-work verification
- — Shortlist inside 7–10 working days (typical)
Service 02
Retained Executive Search
Board-level, C-suite, and senior leadership where discretion matters and a bad hire costs millions. Typically €120,000+.
Mapped, retained search. We identify people who are not looking — and we do not advertise your vacancy to the market unless you ask us to.
Guarantee: Retained executive search includes a replacement guarantee as set out in our Terms of Business. Speak to us for the exact terms on your brief.
Commercial model: Retained fee, phased with the search.
How it works
- 1. Strategy brief with the board or leadership team.
- 2. Research and mapping across competitors, adjacent sectors, and relevant international markets.
- 3. Direct, discreet approach and competency assessment.
- 4. Shortlist of 3–4 with briefing papers, offer support, and optional post-placement coaching.
What is included
- — Dedicated executive search partner
- — Market mapping report
- — Competency interviews
- — Optional psychometrics
- — Deep referencing
- — Replacement guarantee as set out in our Terms of Business
Service 03
Contract & Interim
Urgent project need, cover, peak workload, or a specialist skill required for a fixed term.
Same-day brief, rapid shortlist. Pre-vetted contractors who can start when the programme cannot wait.
Guarantee: Contract placements include a short satisfaction window as set out in our Terms of Business.
Commercial model: Contract margin. No retainer to open a brief.
How it works
- 1. Urgent brief by phone or video, same day.
- 2. Activate the contract bench and immediate outreach.
- 3. Shortlist inside 24–48 hours on urgent roles.
- 4. Compliance, onboarding, and weekly check-ins through the assignment.
What is included
- — Same-day requirement response
- — Pre-vetted contract pool
- — Right-to-work and referencing
- — Contractor compliance
- — Optional timesheet and payroll administration
Service 04
Salary Benchmarking
Compensation reviews, retention strategy, offer calibration, and board reporting — when generic surveys are not good enough.
A confidential, bespoke report from real placement conversations, not scraped job ads. Ireland, UK, and Middle East coverage.
Guarantee: Data validity period is confirmed on the agreed scope.
Commercial model: Fixed project fee.
How it works
- 1. Agree roles, locations, and experience levels.
- 2. Combine placement data, proprietary research, and validated third-party benchmarks.
- 3. Written report: base ranges, bonus, benefits, and market commentary.
- 4. Present findings to leadership or HR with recommendations.
What is included
- — Custom scope
- — P25 / P50 / P75 base ranges
- — Bonus and incentive benchmarks
- — Benefits analysis
- — Leadership presentation
Which model fits
| Contingent | Retained | Contract | Benchmarking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Professional & technical | Board & C-suite | Urgent / fixed-term | Compensation strategy |
| Typical range | €40k–€120k | €120k+ | Day rate | Any level |
| Shortlist | 3–4 | 3–4 | 2–3 | Report |
| Time to shortlist | 7–10 days | 3–4 weeks | 24–48 hours | 2–3 weeks |
| Upfront cost | None | Retained, phased | None | Fixed fee |
| Guarantee | As per Terms of Business | As per Terms of Business | Short satisfaction window | Scope confirmed in brief |
Unsure which service fits?
A 15-minute conversation will clarify the right approach. No obligation.
Email info@apexrecruitment.ie. Response within 4 business hours.