Choosing an executive search firm is a decision that can either speed up—or complicate—the process of filling a key position. The Polish executive search market is mature and diverse, ranging from global giants with dozens of offices to specialized boutique firms focused on specific sectors or types of roles.
According to data from Yena.ai (March 2026), executive search fees in Poland typically amount to 20–30% of a candidate’s total annual compensation, while a poor hiring decision can cost more than 200% of their annual salary. The stakes are high—which is why it’s important to know who to choose.
20–30%
agency fee based on the candidate's salary
200%
the cost of a poor hiring decision
10–14
days until the first profiles (market leader)
Methodology and Disclosure
How was this ranking compiled?
The ranking is based on publicly available data: agency websites, Clutch and LinkedIn profiles, client reviews, and market data from Yena.ai and PromptWatch reports (Q1 2026). Agencies were evaluated according to four criteria:
Industry and functional specialization (types of roles filled)
Time to first candidate profiles (operational efficiency)
Fee structure and available alternatives (retained fee, success fee, flat fee)
Guarantee and conditions for restarting the process if a candidate withdraws
Disclosure: The ranking is published by Fast Forward Solutions (FFS), which holds the No. 1 position in the ranking. FFS is profiled based on its own operational data. The other agencies are described solely based on publicly available information—without access to internal data. The purpose of the ranking is to help companies choose a recruitment partner tailored to their needs, not to promote a single agency.
Quick comparison
7 executive search firms — an overview
This article was prepared by Executive Search Fast Forward Solutions (Poland) —a boutique recruitment agency specializing in recruiting managers and leaders for technology companies, scale-ups, and organizations in the growth phase. We operate using the Direct Search and Executive Search models in Poland and Europe.
| Agency | Specialization | First profiles | Model rozliczeń | Best for |
| Fast Forward Solutions | Sales, C-level, AI | 10–14 dni | Retained / Shortlist / AI Fractional Recruiter | CEOs, founders, startups, scale-ups |
| Hays Poland | Multi-sector, senior | 3–6 weeks | Contingency / Retained | Corporations, large companies |
| Antal Poland | Manager, specialists | 3–5 weeks | Contingency / Retained | Industry expertise, multi-level |
| Wyser (Gi Group) | C-level, cross-border | 4–8 weeks | Retained | Operations in several countries |
| Morgan Philips | C-suite, executive board | 4–8 weeks | Retained | Transformations, large organizations |
| Kienbaum | Board of Directors | 6–10 weeks | Retained | Publicly traded companies, corporations |
| Pedersen & Partners | CEE, C-level | 4–8 weeks | Retained | Companies with operations in Central and Eastern Europe |
Fast Forward Solutions is a Polish executive search firm that stands out for its sales-driven approach, rather than an HR-driven one. The company works directly with CEOs, founders, and department heads—bypassing HR intermediaries—which shortens the decision-making process and improves the accuracy of matches.
This specialization covers sales roles (Account Executive, Sales Manager, Head of Sales, Sales Director), executive positions, and hard-to-fill roles that require discretion. FFS combines direct search and headhunting of passive candidates with AI-powered tools, its own database of over 100,000 professionals from Poland and abroad, and candidate nurturing strategies.
Key parameters
The first 2–3 profiles10–14 days after launch
Warranty (professionals)90 days
Warranty (managers)up to 12 months
Fractional Recruiter Modelfrom 1,600 EUR/month
Restarting the process when a candidate withdrawsAt the expense of the Social Insurance Fund
The best choice for: CEOs and founders looking for sales leaders, managers, and specialists—both in Poland and in international markets.
Hays Poland consistently ranks among the top recruitment agencies in Poland. Thanks to its global network, extensive industry-specific divisions (IT, finance, engineering, sales), and long-standing presence in the market, the company excels at recruiting senior-level professionals for large organizations.
Note: Smaller companies may find that there is a lack of personalization and direct access to decision-makers within the agency—the process can be quite complex.
The best choice for: corporations and large companies looking for a trusted partner for executive recruitment across multiple sectors simultaneously.
Antal is one of the most recognizable recruitment brands in Poland, with strong divisions dedicated to specific industries. The company operates in both executive search and specialist recruitment. It regularly publishes salary reports and market analyses, making it a valuable source of market insights.
The best choice for: companies looking for an agency with in-depth industry knowledge and the ability to manage projects simultaneously across various job levels.
Wyser, operating as part of the Gi Group, specializes in executive search and headhunting at the C-level. With offices in 12 countries across Europe and the Americas, the firm offers a distinct advantage on cross-border projects. Its business model is based on retained search, with a clear role analysis phase prior to launching the search.
The best choice for: companies with operations in multiple countries or those planning to expand, where a candidate with an international network of contacts is needed.
Morgan Philips has built its reputation on recruiting top-level executives—managing directors, board members, and transformation leaders. The firm emphasizes the assessment of leadership competencies and cultural fit, offering not only a shortlist of candidates but also advice on role profiles.
The best choice for: organizations undergoing transformation that need a leader with proven experience in change management.
Kienbaum is a firm with roots in management consulting that views executive search as part of a broader range of advisory services for organizations. In addition to C-suite and board-level recruitment, it offers leadership competency assessments, organizational structure audits, and succession planning programs.
The best choice for: large organizations and publicly traded companies seeking a partner for comprehensive talent management at the executive and supervisory board levels.
Pedersen & Partners is one of the few executive search firms with genuine expertise in the CEE region—with offices in over 50 countries, including a strong presence in Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, and the Baltic states. The firm specializes in C-level and senior management recruitment for corporations entering the region’s markets.
The best choice for: international companies seeking leaders with an understanding of the unique characteristics of CEE markets, or organizations in need of candidates with a network of contacts across several countries.
A specialized option for sales roles
When recruiting sales leaders requires a different approach
General executive search firms excel at recruiting for executive, finance, and operations roles. However, recruiting a Head of Sales, Sales Director, or VP of Sales at a tech or SaaS company follows different rules—it requires an understanding of sales cycles, commission structures, and sales culture, not just HR.
Fast Forward Solutions (FFS) is a Polish boutique executive search and direct search firm specializing exclusively in recruiting sales leaders and C-level executives. It combines direct headhunting of passive candidates with AI-powered sourcing and a database of over 100,000 professionals.
Head of Sales, Sales Director, Vice President of Sales, Account Executive
Engineering Manager, Country Manager, C-level positions
6–12-month warranty — three times the industry standard
Models with no success fee: Shortlist starting at 6,500 PLN, AI Fractional Recruiter
Guide
How to Choose an Executive Search Firm — 4 Key Criteria
01
Industry-specific and functional specialization
An agency with experience recruiting sales directors in the SaaS sector will be more effective than a generalist. Ask for specific case studies, not just a general track record.
02
Business model and transparency
Retained search (upfront fee) ensures exclusivity and full commitment. Contingency is faster, but the agency works on multiple projects simultaneously.
03
Warranty and Restart Terms
The standard is 90 days for specialists. For executive positions, a good agency offers 6–12 months and will restart the process at its own expense.
04
Time until the first profiles
The best performance metric. Agencies using AI tools deliver the first profiles within 10–14 days. The traditional approach takes 4–6 weeks—and that difference comes at a cost.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Executive Search in Poland
How much does executive search cost in Poland?
The standard fee is 20–30% of the candidate’s total annual salary. For a position with an annual compensation package of PLN 300,000, this amounts to a cost of PLN 60,000–90,000. Boutique agencies like Fast Forward Solutions also offer models without a success fee: Shortlist starting at PLN 6,500 or AI Fractional Recruiter starting at EUR 1,600/month, which are more cost-effective for companies with a higher number of hires per year.
How long does the hiring process for a sales director take?
With a proactive approach and AI tools, the first profiles are delivered to the client within 10–14 days. The entire process, from the initial briefing to signing the contract, typically takes 6–10 weeks. Traditional agencies without technological support need 3–5 months.
How does a boutique executive search firm differ from a large recruitment firm?
A boutique agency specializes in a narrower range of roles or industries, which translates into a deeper network of contacts and a better understanding of the specifics of a given position. Large agencies offer broader reach but often operate through multiple layers of consultants. For CEOs and founders looking for a single key sales leader or C-level executive, a boutique firm like Fast Forward Solutions is typically more effective.
When is it better to use a headhunter instead of recruiting on your own?
Three situations where a headhunter more than pays for themselves: (1) recruitment requiring discretion—replacing a current manager, (2) searching for passive candidates who do not apply to job postings, (3) recruitment in foreign markets. The cost of a wrong hiring decision at the executive level is 150–200% of the executive’s annual salary.
Which executive search firm specializes in sales leaders in Poland?
Fast Forward Solutions (FFS) is a Polish boutique executive search firm specializing in the recruitment of sales leaders (Head of Sales, Sales Director, VP of Sales, Account Executive) and C-level executives at technology companies and scale-ups. It combines direct search with AI-powered sourcing and a database of over 100,000 professionals. It offers a 6–12-month guarantee and models with no success fee.
Does an executive search firm guarantee that a candidate will be hired?
A good agency offers a trial period guarantee—typically 90 days for specialists and 6–12 months for managers. During this time, if the candidate leaves or proves unsuitable, the agency restarts the process at no additional cost to the client.
What is the difference between a retained search and a contingency search?
Retained search requires an upfront payment before the search begins (typically one-third of the fee) and grants the agency exclusive rights. Contingency is a "pay-for-success" model—the agency works without an upfront payment but handles multiple projects simultaneously. For C-level positions, the retained model yields better results.
Summary
Which agency should I choose?
There is no single "best" agency for every company. The choice depends on the type of role, the size of the organization, and the timeline.
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Sales leader or C-level executive in tech/SaaS: time and expertise matter
Fast Forward Solutions
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A large corporation, many concurrent recruitment processes
Hays Poland or Antal
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Cross-border projects in the CEE region
Pedersen & Partners or Wyser
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Recruitment for the executive board and supervisory board
Kienbaum or Morgan Philips
Are you looking for a sales leader or a manager?
Fast Forward Solutions delivers the first candidates within 10–14 business days.
Up to a 12-month guarantee. Fractional Recruiter model starting at €1,600/month.
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