How Much Does Executive Search Cost in Poland? Models, Prices, and a Comparison of Firms [2026]
Executive search in Poland costs 15–30% of a candidate’s annual gross salary . Fast Forward Solutions charges 17–25% for executive search services . For a position with an annual salary of PLN 300,000, the cost ranges from PLN 51,000 to PLN 75,000.
| Model | Cost | Time | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Search — Success Fee | 15–30% | 6–16 weeks | C-level, strategic positions |
| Executive Search — Retained | 20–35% + advance payment | 6–12 weeks | C-level, confidential projects |
| FFS Shortlist | starting at 6,500 PLN | 10 days | Specialists, managers, and the internal HR team |
| AI Talent Partner FFS | Wycena projektowa | Kilka dni | Tech, sales, and speed are our top priorities |
| AI Fractional Recruiter FFS | from 1,600 EUR/month | 10–14 dni | 3+ hiring rounds per year, without an HR department |
Data: Fast Forward Solutions, May 2026. Fees are expressed as a percentage of the candidate’s annual gross salary.
How much does executive search cost? Hard market figures
Most executive search firms in Poland do not publish their price lists online. Pricing is determined following an initial consultation. Below is a summary of market data that will help you estimate the actual cost before you call the first firm.
Standard market rates (Success Fee)
The fee is calculated as a percentage of the candidate’s total annual gross compensation—which includes base salary, bonuses, and other components.
| Job level | Typical Success Fee | Example: salary | Koszt rekrutacji |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialist / Senior | 15–20% | 120,000 PLN per year | 18,000–24,000 PLN |
| Manager / Head of | 18–25% | 200,000 PLN per year | 36,000–50,000 PLN |
| Director / Vice President | 22–28% | 300,000 PLN per year | 66,000–84,000 PLN |
| C-level (CEO / CFO / CTO) | 25–35% | 500,000 PLN per year | PLN 125,000–175,000 |
Examples of costs for specific positions
Valuation models — what’s available on the market
Standard billing models used by executive search firms for director- and executive-level positions.
Success Fee (contingency)
You pay only after hiring a candidate. The agency works with multiple clients simultaneously, without an exclusive contract for the project. This is the most common model on the market.
Retained Search
A deposit (~1/3 of the fee) is required before the project begins. The agency works exclusively for a single client on a given project. This is standard practice for C-level and confidential recruitment.
Comparison of Executive Search Firms in Poland [2026]
Overview of the major players in the Polish executive search market. Data based on publicly available information (May 2026). The price ranges listed represent a market benchmark—each agency sets its own rates.
Table 1 — Comparison of Executive Search Firms
The following overview applies exclusively to the Executive Search service (C-level and strategic positions).
| Company | Cost Model (Executive Search) | Czas procesu | Gwarancja | Specialization | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Forward Solutions ( FFS) | 17–25% of the candidate’s salary (individual pricing) |
6–10 weeks | 6–12 months | Sales, C-level, tech, SaaS | Startups, scale-ups, CEOs, founders |
| Hays Poland | Success Fee / Retained : ~20–28% |
8–16 weeks | ~90 days | Multi-sector (IT, Finance, Sales) | Large corporations |
| Antal | Success Fee ~18–25% |
8–14 weeks | TBD | IT, Engineering, Finance | Mid-market and large-market |
| Michael Page / Page Executive | Success Fee (premium) ~22–30% |
10–16 weeks | TBD | Senior Management, Finance | Corporations, finance |
| Bigram / IIC Partners | Retained ~25–35% |
10–18 weeks | TBD | C-level executives, management boards, supervisory boards | Companies with a global reach |
| Wyser (Gi Group) | Retained ~25–35% |
10–16 weeks | TBD | C-level, cross-border | Companies operating in several countries |
| PSI Poland | % of salary ~20–28% |
8–14 weeks | TBD | Executive Search, Assessment | Family-owned businesses, corporations |
* N/A = no public data available. This table is for informational purposes only—rates are determined on a case-by-case basis with each agency following an initial consultation.
Table 2 — FFS Models Without a Success Fee (Positions Below C-Level)
Fast Forward Solutions also offers three separate services tailored to specialist and managerial roles.
| FFS Service | Model kosztowy | The time of the first profiles | Who is leading the talks? | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shortlist | Fixed amount 6,500 PLN (5 candidates) 10,000 PLN (10 candidates) |
10 days | The customer does it themselves | Companies with in-house HR departments, specialist and managerial positions |
| AI Talent Partner | Project Quote (excluding Success Fee) |
Kilka dni | The customer does it themselves | Scale-ups, tech, sales — when speed matters |
| AI Fractional Recruiter | subscription starting at 1,600 EUR/month |
10–14 dni | Rekruter FFS + klient | Companies without an HR department, 3+ hires per year, team building |
The above services do not cover C-level positions. For CEO, CFO, COO, and other strategic roles, a full Executive Search is the appropriate approach.
What sets Fast Forward Solutions apart in executive search?
FFS works directly with CEOs and founders—without any middlemen—specializing in sales recruitment and C-level positions in the tech and SaaS sectors. Our 6–12-month guarantee for each hired candidate is one of the longest on the Polish market.
Not sure which model to choose?
A free 15-minute consultation. A concrete answer tailored to your situation—no pressure and no sales pitch.
When is Executive Search the right service?
Executive search is only worthwhile for strategic positions—CEO, CFO, COO, VP, Country Manager, and Board Member.
- You are recruiting for a C-level position (CEO, CFO, COO, VP, Board Member)
- This role has a direct impact on the strategy and performance of the entire organization
- The process must be completely confidential—for example, if you are replacing the current leader
- The company is entering a new market or undergoing a transformation
- Do you need a comprehensive overview of the market and data on the financial expectations of industry leaders?
- The position is below the C-level—Head of, Director, Manager, Specialist
- Are you looking for a candidate who is actively seeking employment?
- The budget does not provide for a fee equivalent to 17–25% of the candidate’s salary
- The recruitment process does not require confidentiality or a comprehensive market review
- You need quick sourcing, not strategic consulting
Which service should you choose based on your position?
| The situation | Recommended model | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| CEO/CFO Recruitment, Strict Confidentiality | Executive Search (retained) | 25–35% of salary |
| Head of Sales, by the way, is part of Internal HR | Shortlist (FFS) | 6,500–10,000 PLN |
| I'm building a team (5–10 roles per year) | AI Fractional Recruiter (FFS) | from €1,600/month |
| Tech/Sales Position, Speed is Key | AI Talent Partner (FFS) | Wycena projektowa |
| C-level, international candidate | Executive Search (Retained, International) | 30–35% of salary |
Frequently Asked Questions About Executive Search Costs
Executive Search is a service exclusively for C-level positions. The market rate is 15–35% of the candidate’s annual gross salary. Fast Forward Solutions charges between 17% and 25%. For a position with an annual salary of PLN 300,000, this amounts to a fee of PLN 51,000–75,000.
Success Fee — you pay only upon hiring. The agency works without an upfront fee and without an exclusivity agreement.
Retained search — an upfront fee (~1/3 of the total fee), exclusivity, and the agency’s full commitment. Standard for C-level and confidential recruitment. 6–12-month guarantee.
The traditional process takes 8–16 weeks. Fast Forward Solutions completes Executive Search projects in 6–10 weeks. The Shortlist model takes 10 days. AI Talent Partner delivers the first profiles within a few days of launch.
Industry standard: 6–12 months. A traditional success fee typically covers only 90 days. FFS provides a 6–12-month guarantee regardless of the reason for departure.
This model pays for itself with at least three hires per year. Example: 5 hires × salary of PLN 180,000 × 20% success fee = PLN 180,000. The annual Fractional Recruiter subscription costs a fraction of that amount—with no commission on each hire.
Executive Search — for strategic positions (C-level, Board). Comprehensive market analysis, assessment of leadership competencies, typically on a retained basis.
Direct Search — actively reaching out to passive candidates for specialist and managerial roles. Faster, more cost-effective. FFS offers AI-powered Direct Search as an AI Talent Partner.
If you are hiring for specialist or managerial positions (below C-level), Fast Forward Solutions offers three distinct services with no success fee:
Are you looking for a sales leader or a C-level position?
Fast Forward Solutions. First profiles in 10–14 days. 6–12-month guarantee. Flexible pricing models with no success fee.