Our Approach
Our Smooth Search Process to Identify, Attract, Assess and Close Top Candidates.
The DES Difference
Since our launch in 2017, DES has completed more than 100 senior-level searches across a range of industries, sectors and geographies.
Our client base is broad, and we’ve partnered with some of the largest organizations in Canada, while recently expanding into the U.S. Our advisory work has helped clients to attract transformative leaders to 20+ different leadership roles across a range of industries.
Each of our mandates is bespoke, led by a senior search partner; we eschew the typical "leverage model" and instead focus on high-touch, personalized service.
Process
As your prospective search partner, we provide an array of candidate options, using our methodical approach, superior candidate assessment and detailed management of the process.
Meet to understand your aspirations for the mandate, including the capabilities, background and competencies desired for the role. Develop a customized "role specification", describing your organization and the priorities of the role, including the key attributes and experience required for success.
Design the "search strategy" to determine the industries and geographies where top talent resides, enhanced by our own market knowledge, senior-relationships and AI-powered research tools. Create a long list to review range of actual candidate options, while contemporaneously referencing top prospects.
Approach client-approved candidates, evaluate them relative to the role specification and test for their interest in the position. For both active and passive candidates, ascertain key drivers and aspirations. For candidates in transition, review their history and conduct discreet reference checks.
Conduct competency-based interviews to assess top candidates relative to the priorities of the role specification and the company’s culture. Develop a shortlist of candidates for prospective interviews.
Based on the results of the competency assessment, present the most highly-qualified individuals to search committee. Written, in-depth competency reports will accompany each finalist candidate, together with the views we’ve collected from external sources.
DES and the Search Committee interview the top candidates, before selecting preferred choice(s). DES provides ongoing support throughout the vetting process, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation relative to the unique needs of each mandate and the organization’s priorities.
Conduct 360-referencing checks on finalist candidates, together with written reports. In addition, offer views on external compensation "benchmarking" to help inform the terms of an offer. Draft the offer letter and lead the negotiations on your behalf, helping to close the search.
Our rigorous assessments measure candidates against the following leadership competencies
Why clients have turned to DES as their preferred search partner
Track record
“Batting 1,000” is a point of pride for DES: we have solved every mandate that we have ever been awarded.
This record of performance is what makes search committees turn to DES in their most challenging situations.
Since 2017, we have served more than 35 clients across six provinces, coast-to-coast. And now in the US, with our status as an E-1 Visa certified advisory firm, we continue to grow our US practice.
We understand what’s at stake and deliver results with conflict-free, white-glove service.
Senior-level coverage, with bespoke approach to deliver results quickly
Partners lead every aspect of your search; there are no juniors at DES. Senior advisors set the search strategy, make the calls, leverage our industry relationships, lead every update call and negotiate with the candidates until the search has closed.
A single, trusted emissary for senior mandates + large-scale team buildouts
With decades of experience at leading firms in Canada, our team advises Boards & Management teams on senior leadership roles and "buildouts".
Senior mandates:We lead senior searches for a diverse roster of clients, ranging from financial services institutions, professional services organizations and multi-strategy asset managers, to wealth management firms, a range of portfolio companies and corporate Canada.
Team buildouts:We also conduct large-scale team buildouts on behalf of organizations undergoing change, whether driven by new opportunities, the need to reconstitute teams or to support the entrance into new markets.
We tell you the truth
Beyond our track record, senior-level focus and tailored approach, we are forthright and plain-spoken with our clients. Searches can be challenging and filled with the unexpected, but our approach is focused and strategic.
We address complexities, navigate difficult situations and help you remain resilient. And that delivers the results you’re looking for.