Finding the right executive talent can make or break an organization’s future. For companies seeking C‑suite and senior leadership talent in Montreal, partnering with the right executive search firm is crucial for success. Whether you’re looking to steer digital transformation, prepare for an IPO, or navigate a critical transition, the executive search firms on this list have the expertise and networks to connect you with transformational leaders.
Montreal’s executive search landscape has evolved rapidly alongside the city’s booming AI sector, thriving aerospace cluster, and vibrant life‑sciences scene. Today’s top firms blend sophisticated data‑analytics with the high‑touch, relationship‑driven approach that remains essential for successful executive placement in a bilingual market. This article identifies and provides an overview of the top 10 executive search firms serving the Montreal market. Based on extensive research into firm reputation, industry recognition, specialization, and client success, these firms consistently deliver exceptional results for organizations seeking senior leadership talent.
The Best Executive Search Firms in Montreal in 2025
1. Lock Search Group
Lock Search Group has earned its position at the top of Montreal’s executive search landscape, recently being named to Forbes’ first‑ever Canada’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms list. Founded in 1983 by Richard Lock, this 42‑year‑old firm has grown from a small Vancouver office to a national powerhouse with 13 offices across Canada and the United States.
What sets Lock Search Group apart is their innovative “contained” search model that combines traditional retained search with performance‑based accountability. With over 30 recruitment consultants averaging 10+ years of tenure, they’ve successfully placed executives at companies like CAE, CGI, and Bombardier. Their recent launch of Lockin AI demonstrates their commitment to innovation while maintaining the boutique‑level attention that has earned them over 135,000 LinkedIn followers.
Lock Search Group specializes in life sciences, consumer goods, and technology sectors, with particular strength in supply‑chain and engineering leadership roles. Their Rue Saint‑Jacques presence and recognition by Hunt Scanlon Media as a Top 60 search firm solidify their status as Montreal’s premier executive search partner.
2. Summit Search Group
Summit Search Group has built an impressive national network since its founding in 2000, with eight offices spanning from Vancouver to Halifax. This 25‑year‑old firm has earned a stellar 4.8/5 rating on Glassdoor and maintains over 152,000 LinkedIn followers through their “tenacious” approach to executive search.
Their comprehensive recruitment system and extensive screening process have made them a trusted partner for organizations across pharmaceutical, financial‑services, and technology sectors. Summit’s pro‑bono executive‑search initiative demonstrates their commitment to community impact, partnering with organizations like the Canadian Muslim Women’s Institute and Volunteer Manitoba. This combination of commercial success and social responsibility makes them a preferred partner for organizations seeking leadership talent with strong values alignment.
3. Spencer Stuart
As one of the prestigious “SHREK” firms (Spencer Stuart, Heidrick & Struggles, Russell Reynolds, Egon Zehnder, Korn Ferry), Spencer Stuart has set industry standards since 1956. Their Montreal office leverages a global network of 70+ offices to serve Quebec‑based clients with unparalleled board and succession‑planning expertise.
Known for pioneering professionalism in executive search, Spencer Stuart introduced the industry’s first Client Satisfaction Survey and has conducted high‑profile searches, including Yahoo! and Twitter CEO replacements. Their Montreal team offers deep expertise across financial‑services, technology, and aerospace sectors. As a founding member of the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), they maintain the highest standards of professional practice.
4. Russell Reynolds Associates
Founded in 1969, Russell Reynolds Associates brings a data‑driven approach to executive search from their suite in Place Ville Marie. With over 520 consultants across 47 global offices, the firm is renowned for identifying “future‑ready” executives through rigorous analytics and assessment. Their Montreal team, established in 1993, has a strong track record in financial‑services, fintech, and life‑sciences placements, with more than 70% repeat business from existing clients.
5. Odgers Berndtson
Operating from 1250 René‑Lévesque Ouest, Suite 3925, Odgers Berndtson’s Montreal office taps into a global network of 60+ locations with bilingual consultants who have led CEO and board mandates for CAE, Hydro‑Québec, and Fonds de solidarité FTQ. Their blend of local‑market expertise and international reach ensures seamless cross‑border placements for Quebec’s aerospace, cleantech, and manufacturing sectors.
6. Boyden
Located in Suite 1018 of 1 Place Ville Marie, Boyden Montreal combines 70 years of executive‑search heritage with trilingual capabilities (French, English, Spanish). The team has partnered with the MUHC, McGill University Health Centre, and AI scale‑ups to fill C‑suite and board positions—achieving over 55 percent women and BIPOC representation in Quebec placements during 2024.
7. Korn Ferry
From their downtown office at 1 Place Ville Marie, Suite 1160, Korn Ferry leverages proprietary leadership‑assessment tools and compensation data to help Montreal corporations benchmark talent globally. Recent mandates include CHRO succession for a TSX‑listed aerospace manufacturer and digital‑transformation leadership for National Bank’s innovation lab.
8. Groupe Millésime
This women‑led boutique at 1188 Union, 6ᵉ étage, specializes in nonprofit, cultural, and startup executive searches across Quebec. Millésime’s embedded ÉDI checkpoints and deep community networks have filled CEO roles at major arts institutions, Collège de Maisonneuve, and philanthropic foundations—prioritizing candidates fluent in both French and English.
9. Kenniff Leadership
Kenniff Leadership’s Montreal hub focuses on C‑suite and board appointments for private Quebec enterprises and pan‑Canadian NGOs. Their in‑house governance advisors support succession planning, board evaluations, and diversity mandates—recently guiding appointments at Cirque du Soleil and the Ordre des architectes du Québec.
10. Leaders International
Leaders International’s Quebec practice draws on decades of public‑sector expertise to place senior executives in municipalities, universities, and Indigenous‑led organizations. Their “Passive Talent Index” maps over 4,000 bilingual public‑sector leaders, enabling 30‑day shortlists for Laval City Manager searches and senior roles at McGill and UQAM.
When to Engage a Montreal Executive Search Firm
The decision to partner with an executive search firm is strategic and should align with your organization’s specific needs and circumstances. Understanding when to leverage external expertise can mean the difference between a good hire and a transformational one.
Some situations where engaging a Montreal executive search firm makes strategic sense include:
- Leadership transitions and succession planning. When a CEO, C‑suite executive, or key leader is departing, search firms can manage the sensitive process while maintaining business continuity.
- Transformation initiatives. Organizations undergoing digital transformation, restructuring, or strategic pivots need leaders with specific change‑management experience.
- Entering new markets or sectors. Expansion into new geographic markets or industry verticals—particularly in North America and Europe—requires leaders with relevant experience and networks.
- Board composition changes. Adding independent directors or addressing board diversity requires specialized expertise in governance searches.
- Confidential searches. When replacing an incumbent executive or exploring strategic options that require discretion, search firms provide a confidential channel for candidate engagement.
- Specialized or niche roles. Positions requiring rare combinations of skills—such as bilingual AI leadership or aerospace compliance—benefit from search firms’ specialized networks.
- Competitive talent situations. In hot talent markets like Montreal’s AI cluster, search firms’ relationships and reputation can make the difference in attracting top candidates.
The Benefits of Using a Montreal Executive Search Firm
Partnering with a professional executive search firm provides numerous strategic advantages beyond simply filling a position.
The most immediate benefit is access to passive candidates—the majority of executives who aren’t actively job‑searching but might consider the right opportunity. Search consultants maintain relationships with thousands of senior leaders, giving clients access to talent they couldn’t reach through postings or internal recruiting. This is particularly valuable in Montreal’s competitive, bilingual market.
Market intelligence is another crucial benefit. Search firms provide real‑time data on compensation trends, candidate availability, and competitive dynamics in Quebec and beyond. They can benchmark your opportunity and advise on positioning to attract top talent.
The rigorous assessment process used by executive search firms significantly reduces hiring risk. Beyond résumé evaluation, they conduct behavioral interviews, psychometric assessments, and comprehensive reference checks. Many firms also offer post‑placement integration support to ensure new executives succeed in their roles.
Types of Executive Search Firms: Understanding Your Options
Not all executive search firms are created equal, and understanding the different types can help you select the right partner.
Global vs. Boutique Search Firms
Global firms like the SHREK firms offer extensive international networks, cross‑border search capabilities, and deep research resources—ideal for roles requiring global reach or multilingual leadership. Boutique firms provide specialized expertise, greater partner involvement, and deep local knowledge—crucial when cultural fit and French‑English fluency are paramount.
Retained vs. Contingency Search
Retained search firms work exclusively on assignments with staged payments, ensuring dedicated resources and thorough market coverage—standard for senior executive and board positions. Contingency search firms are paid only upon successful placement and are typically used for mid‑level roles.
Specialist vs. Generalist Firms
Specialist firms focus on specific industries—such as aerospace or life sciences—offering deep domain expertise. Generalist firms work across sectors, bringing diverse candidate pools and cross‑industry insights useful for transformational leadership roles.
Tips for Working With Montreal Executive Search Firms
1. Invest time in the briefing process.
Provide context about your organization’s culture, strategy, and leadership challenges to help the search firm identify candidates who will thrive.
2. Be realistic about timing and requirements.
Executive searches typically take 3–4 months. Work with your consultant to prioritize must‑have versus nice‑to‑have criteria.
3. Ensure stakeholder alignment.
Align key stakeholders on role requirements and selection criteria before launching the search.
4. Maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
How you treat candidates reflects on your employer brand within Montreal’s tight‑knit executive community.
5. Stay engaged throughout the process.
Provide timely feedback and communicate any changes promptly to ensure momentum.
Questions to Ask When Selecting an Executive Search Firm
- What is your track record in our industry and for similar roles?
- Who will actually work on our search?
- What is your assessment methodology?
- How do you ensure diversity in your candidate slate?
- What happens if the placement doesn’t work out?
- How do you handle conflicts and off‑limits agreements?
Finding Your Executive Search Partner in Montreal
Montreal’s executive search market offers world‑class options for organizations seeking transformational leadership talent. Whether you need the global reach of a SHREK firm, the specialized expertise of a boutique, or the innovative approach of newer players, the right partner exists for your specific needs.
Success comes from choosing a firm whose capabilities, culture, and approach align with your requirements. Consider your industry focus, timeline, diversity goals, and whether you need local expertise or global reach. The investment in professional executive‑search services pays dividends through better leadership, reduced risk, and accelerated organizational success.
The firms profiled in this guide represent the best of Montreal’s executive‑search market. Each brings unique strengths to help you find the leaders who will drive your organization forward. Take time to evaluate your options and select the partner who will best serve your leadership requirements today and into the future.
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