Business-critical leadership
CEO, CFO, COO, CHRO, CIO and senior functional leadership appointments.
Horizons® Bulgaria · Leadership Search Since 2003
Executive Search for business-critical leadership
Confidential identification, assessment and attraction of proven senior leaders whose experience, judgement and ambition match your organisation’s mission.
20+ yearsLeadership recruitment experience
C-suite and boardSenior and business-critical appointments
ConfidentialDiscreet client and candidate care
Dedicated partnerOne accountable consultant throughout
What is Executive Search?
A deliberate search for leaders who are not actively looking
Executive Search is an exclusive recruitment service for C-suite, board, senior-management and other business-critical appointments.
Leadership recruitment built around the organisation’s strategy and the mandate of the role
Instead of waiting for applications, we map the relevant market and approach proven leaders directly and confidentially.
The search considers business context, leadership style and expected outcomes — not only a list of technical requirements.
01
Market mappingRelevant companies, sectors, leadership structures and potential candidates.
02
Direct approachPersonal and discreet engagement with proven passive professionals.
03
Leadership assessmentEvidence, motivation, judgement, cultural fit and readiness for the mandate.
When to use Executive Search
When the impact of the appointment is too important for a standard search
The model is most effective when the role is senior, sensitive, difficult to source or expected to deliver meaningful organisational change.
Scarce experience
A rare combination of sector, transformation, technical or regional expertise.
Confidential change
An appointment that cannot be announced publicly during the search process.
Market entry
The first senior hire for a new operation, function, market or geography.
Succession planning
Mapping leadership options before an immediate senior vacancy exists.
Transformation mandate
A leader must deliver growth, restructuring, integration or cultural change.
Search process
Five clear stages from mandate to appointment
A disciplined retained-search process keeps the mandate focused and communication consistent from the initial briefing through onboarding.
Briefing and strategy
We define the business context, success criteria, leadership profile and target market.
Market mapping
We identify relevant organisations, networks and leaders with comparable experience.
Contact and assessment
We engage candidates discreetly and assess achievements, leadership and motivation.
Profiles and interviews
We present evidence-based recommendations and manage interviews and feedback.
Offer and transition
We support alignment, negotiation, counter-offers, onboarding and early follow-up.
What the mandate includes
More than candidate introductions
The client receives a managed decision process, market intelligence and support through the most sensitive parts of a senior appointment.
Targeted recruitmentDefined organisations, markets and leadership profiles.
Specialist insightContext on talent availability, motivation and market expectations.
ConfidentialityControlled communication protecting the client and approached leaders.
Advisory supportRole design, assessment, compensation, closing and transition.
Complementary services
Support before and after the appointment
Add direct search, employment infrastructure or compensation intelligence where the leadership mandate requires it.
Headhunting
Direct and confidential search for niche, specialist and hard-to-find talent.
Employer of Record
Employ leaders and specialist professionals in Bulgaria without establishing a local entity.
Salary Benchmarking
Compare executive compensation and total employer cost across international markets.
Horizons × The Ultimum HR
Tools for stronger leadership hiring decisions
Prepare the role, structure the interview and compare compensation before beginning a confidential leadership search.
Job Description Generator
Create a clear role profile aligned with the responsibilities and expectations of a senior appointment.
Interview Question Generator
Prepare structured questions for leadership, management and specialist interviews.
Salary Benchmarking
Compare executive salary and total employer cost across multiple markets.
Leadership search insights
Useful Executive Search resources
Practical guidance on the Bulgarian talent market, selecting the right HR service and choosing a retained-search partner.
Executive Search in the Bulgarian market →
Market context and practical considerations for leadership recruitment in Bulgaria.
Choosing the right HR service →
Understand the differences between recruitment, headhunting and employment solutions.
Why retained Executive Search →
When an exclusive search mandate creates stronger accountability and better outcomes.
Discuss your leadership requirement →
Share the business context and receive a recommendation for the appropriate search model.
Frequently asked questions
Executive Search FAQ
Key answers about the method, suitable roles, confidentiality, timelines and appointment support.
How is Executive Search different from standard recruitment?
Executive Search is designed for senior, confidential and business-critical appointments. It relies on market mapping and direct approach rather than applications alone.
What roles are suitable for Executive Search?
C-suite, board, senior-management and other strategically important roles where experience, leadership judgement and confidentiality are critical.
How confidential is the process?
The search is handled discreetly, with controlled communication protecting the client, the organisation and approached candidates.
How long does an Executive Search take?
Timing depends on the role, market availability, geography and stakeholder alignment. A realistic project plan is agreed after the initial briefing.
Can Horizons support compensation and onboarding?
Yes. Horizons can support compensation benchmarking, offer alignment, transition and onboarding follow-up.
Ready to appoint your next leader?
Start a confidential Executive Search conversation
Share the business context and we will recommend the right search approach.