Executive Search

Section 4 (1)
Expectations for leaders have fundamentally changed, highlighting a critical gap in Australian leadership capability. Organisations need executives who can navigate complexity, lead transformation and deliver sustainable business performance.

Since 2004, Six Degrees Executive has partnered with organisations across Australia to identify, assess and appoint exceptional leaders across Board, C-suite and senior executive positions.

Our Executive Search practice brings together experienced senior consultants, established executive networks and deep knowledge of the Australian market. Combining rigorous research, comprehensive market mapping and our proprietary Six Degrees of Excellence (6Dx) assessment framework, we provide a structured, evidence-based approach to critical leadership appointments.

With national reach and access to international executive talent markets through our PRAXI Alliance partnership, we connect organisations with leaders who bring the capability, experience and perspective to shape their future.

An established track record
in Australian executive search

98%

First-time fill rate

96%

Appointees still in role after two years

20+

Years of executive search in Australia

Executive roles we recruit

Our Executive Search practice partners with organisations to appoint leaders across Board, Chief Executive, General Management and C-suite positions.
Board meeting discussion
Board &
Governance
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Executive Director
  • Executive Director
  • Advisory Board Member
Chief Executive
Chief Executive &
General Management
  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Managing Director
  • General Manager
  • Country Manager



C-suite Leadership
C-suite
Leadership
  • Chief Operating Officer
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Chief Information Officer
  • Chief Technology Officer
  • Chief Marketing Officer
  • Chief Commercial Officer
  • Chief Revenue Officer
  • Chief Procurement Officer
  • Chief Risk Officer
  • Chief Data Officer
  • Chief Digital Officer

Our Executive Search services

Our Executive Search practice provides a range of complementary recruitment and leadership services to support organisations through critical appointments, leadership transitions and longer-term workforce planning.

Specialist Recruitment
Board
Recruitment

Identify and appoint Chairs, Non-Executive Directors and Advisory Board members through a rigorous search process, supported by established executive networks and specialist governance expertise.

Contracting Solutions
Executive
Assessment

Gain deeper insight into leadership capability, potential and risk through our proprietary 6Dx framework, complemented by psychometric assessments and bespoke simulation exercises where appropriate.

Two women in an office setting smiling
Women smiling at computer
Talent
Consulting
Talent
Advisory

Build future leadership capability through succession planning, talent mapping, talent pipelining and market intelligence, supported by specialist research and established executive networks.

Executive Search
Interim
Executive Solutions

Access proven interim CFOs, EGMs and senior executives from our established network, many available to start immediately, to lead through transitions, transformation or critical vacancies while you secure the right permanent appointment.

Deep expertise. Your industry. Your leaders.

Great executive search begins with understanding an industry, its leadership challenges and the capabilities required to succeed.

For more than two decades, our Executive Search practice has developed established networks and deep market knowledge across Australia's key industries. Each industry is led by a senior consultant who knows its leaders, its challenges and the talent market that serves it.
Industries B2B
Business to Business

Appointing leaders for industrial, manufacturing, distribution and B2B services businesses navigating complex markets, operational challenges and growth.

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Consumer & FMCG

Appointing commercial leaders for brand-led businesses navigating margin pressures, evolving sales channels, competitive markets and changing consumer expectations.

Industries Education
Education

Appointing leaders for universities, schools and education providers navigating governance, funding pressures and evolving student expectations.

Geelong Town Hall with Australian Flags Displayed
Government

Appointing senior executives across federal, state and local government agencies and statutory bodies navigating complex public sector challenges.

industries-healthcare
Healthcare

Appointing leaders for hospitals, aged care, health services and life sciences organisations managing clinical, regulatory and workforce challenges.

Not-for-Profit executive search
Not-for-Profit

Appointing CEOs and senior leaders who balance commercial discipline with mission, from fundraising to program delivery.

Retail executive search
Retail

Appointing leaders for retailers navigating omnichannel transformation, supply chain pressure and evolving customer experience.

Services executive search
Services

Appointing leaders for professional, financial and business services firms where client relationships and people drive performance.

ASX
Our expertise extends across the full C-suite and senior functional leadership, combining industry understanding with specialist knowledge of the skills, experience and leadership capabilities required across different functions.

We operate with the rigour and process discipline expected of a global executive search firm, supported by structured research, comprehensive market mapping and evidence-based assessment. This is complemented by genuine Australian market depth, senior consultant involvement throughout the search and long-standing relationships with executives and organisations.

From global subsidiaries and ASX-listed businesses to private equity-backed, family-owned and purpose-driven organisations, our clients value a search partner who understands their operating environment and brings a personalised, accountable approach to every appointment.

Six Degrees Executive executive assessment framework

Executive Assessment & Six Degrees of Excellence

Great leadership appointments require more than experience and a strong interview. They require a consistent, evidence-based approach to assessing leadership capability, potential and risk.

Our proprietary Six Degrees of Excellence (6Dx) framework evaluates 14 core leadership competencies across six dimensions, providing a structured approach to comparing executive candidates against the specific requirements of each appointment.

Complemented by Hogan psychometric assessments and bespoke simulation exercises where appropriate, our methodology helps organisations gain a deeper understanding of leadership behaviours, decision-making and suitability for the role.

Approach to ES

Our approach to Executive Search

Every leadership appointment begins with understanding the organisation, its strategic priorities and the capabilities required for success.

Our Executive Search consultants work closely with clients to define the brief, understand the leadership challenges and identify the experience, behaviours and attributes required of the successful candidate.

Through targeted research, market mapping and proactive candidate engagement, we identify and engage executive talent beyond the active candidate market.

Our structured assessment process provides a consistent evaluation of leadership capability and organisational alignment, while our senior consultants remain closely involved throughout the search, from initial briefing through to appointment.

Experience across diverse business environments

Every organisation faces different leadership challenges. From founder-led businesses preparing for their next phase of growth to listed companies navigating governance and transformation, our Executive Search consultants understand the different capabilities and perspectives required of senior leaders.

Across every search, we combine specialist industry knowledge, leadership assessment and a consistent commitment to quality.

Family & Founder-Led Businesses
Appointing leaders who can support business growth, professionalisation and succession while respecting an organisation's values, culture and legacy.
Private Equity-Backed Businesses
Identifying commercially focused executives with the capability to drive transformation, operational performance and long-term value creation.
ASX-Listed
Organisations
Supporting Board and executive appointments in complex governance, shareholder and performance environments.
Corporate & Enterprise Organisations
Recruiting experienced leaders who can navigate organisational complexity, lead transformation and respond to evolving business priorities.
For Purpose
Organisations
Connecting purpose-driven organisations with leaders who balance commercial capability, stakeholder engagement and meaningful social impact.
Public Sector & Government
Identifying executives with the experience to navigate complex governance, public accountability and diverse stakeholder environments.

Executive roles
we recruit

Meet our dedicated executive search specialists who connect businesses with skilled professionals across Australia. Their expertise and industry knowledge ensure every placement is the right fit, every time.
  • Board Appointments
  • Chairperson
  • Executive Director
  • Non-Executive Director
  • Managing Director
  • Chief Commercial Officer
  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Chief Information Officer
  • Chief Marketing Officer
  • Chief Operations Officer
  • Chief Procurement Officer
  • Chief Risk Officer
  • Chief Technology Officer
  • ​Finance Director
  • Marketing Director
  • Procurement Director
  • Sales Director
  • General Management

Meet our Executive Search consultants

Our Executive Search consultants bring extensive experience in senior leadership recruitment, supported by long-standing relationships across Australia's executive talent markets. Combining specialist industry knowledge, established networks and a personalised approach, our team works closely with clients from the initial brief through to appointment.

Paul Hallam
Paul Hallam

Founder & Executive Director
Executive search, National, Melbourne

Nick Hindhaugh
Nick Hindhaugh

Founder & Executive Director
Executive search, Education, Consumer & FMCG, Not for profit, Services, Healthcare, Retail, National, Melbourne

David Braham
David Braham

Founder & Executive Director
Executive search, National, Melbourne

John Whitehead
John Whitehead

Chief Commercial Officer
Executive search, National, Melbourne

Alastair Pennie
Alastair Pennie

Director - New South Wales
Executive search, Procurement, Contracting, Supply chain, Consumer & FMCG, Healthcare, Sydney

Katrina Park
Katrina Park

Partner - Executive Search
Executive search, Technology, Education, Healthcare, Services, Retail, Melbourne

Ben Maurer
Ben Maurer

Partner - Executive Search
Executive search, Business to Business, Services, Sydney

Sarah Cox
Sarah Cox

Associate Partner
Retail, Executive search, Consumer & FMCG, Property & Construction, Melbourne

Rachel Shermer
Rachel Shermer

Director
Communications & Corporate Affairs, Executive search, Marketing, Sales, Digital, Contracting, Sydney

Jesse Moore
Jesse Moore

Executive Search & Operations Associate
Corporate Services, Executive search, National

Rohan McMaster
Rohan McMaster

Client Partner
Executive search, Accounting & Finance, Business to Business, Consumer & FMCG, Retail, Education, Not for profit, Services, National, Melbourne

Ryan Webster
Ryan Webster

Client Partner
Executive search, Government, Consumer & FMCG, Not for profit, Healthcare, Services, Property & Construction, National, Brisbane

Nicola Wortley
Nicola Wortley

Research Manager
Executive search, Government, Brisbane, National

Find your next Executive leader

Job opportunities

Explore our latest permanent and executive opportunities across Australia. Find a role that matches your skills, goals and career ambitions.

Find the right executive