Executive Search & Headhunting

The right hire, every time – across Finland and the Nordics

Direct search gives you confidence in demanding hires. It reaches candidates who aren’t actively looking and allows for a confidential process. Above all, it ensures the role is filled by someone who genuinely fits.

Contact us

Not every hire can be solved with a job posting. Some roles need someone who isn’t actively on the market. Barona’s executive search service helps you find them. We reach talent you wouldn’t otherwise come across, and we make sure the final choice is considered and well-matched.

What does executive search bring to your recruitment?

Reach candidates who aren’t looking

Not everyone is actively job-seeking. We find the right people even when they’re not raising their hands.

Visibility without name recognition

If the role is new or your organisation is less well known, executive search surfaces options that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Better accuracy

When a role demands specific expertise or experience, a targeted search identifies and reaches those who genuinely fit.

A confidential, controlled process

Executive search lets you move forward even when an open advert isn’t an option. Sometimes called a silent search.

Expert input and market insight

You get a clearer view of what kind of profile to look for and what talent is realistically available in the market.

Barona did a very good job in a challenging situation. The operations and communication were active. Barona managed to fill all the positions that were being searched for quickly, and the consultant’s understanding of the field of expertise and our industry surprised me positively.

Jermu Mäkinen

Barona managed to fill all the positions we were looking for quickly, and the consultant's understanding of the field of expertise and our industry positively surprised me.

Jermu Mäkinen

Operations Officer, FirstBeat

A thorough approach and genuine effort to understand the client seem to be Barona’s clear starting point – and a direct sign of their expertise in making recruitment processes run smoothly. The process went well from start to finish and ended with a result we were very happy with.

Pekka Holma

A thorough approach and genuine effort to understand the client seem to be Barona's clear starting point – and a direct sign of their expertise in making recruitment processes run smoothly. The process went well from start to finish and ended with a result we were very happy with.

Pekka Holma

CEO, Krapihovi

Executive search as part of a broader solution

Executive search can be used in many ways. It can sit alongside open recruitment or a hybrid search, support a wider staffing need, or be targeted at a specific role or project. That makes it a flexible part of an overall solution – particularly when some of the positions you’re filling need a more targeted approach.

How the process works

1. PLANNING

We define the target profile and agree on how to move forward. Together we build a shared view of the skills you’re looking for and where they’re most likely to be found. We also agree on practical milestones and a timeline.

2. LONGLIST

We create an initial list of potential candidates. Based on market mapping and our knowledge of the talent landscape, we identify suitable people. We refine this list together before making any contact.

3. PRESENTATION

We present the most suitable candidates for the role. We walk you through each person – their strengths, background and motivation. The presentation is focused and covers what matters most.

4. SELECTION

We support the decision-making process. We help you compare candidates and identify the best fit. Where helpful, we can also use assessment tools to support the final decision.

5. REPORTING

A full summary of the search and market findings. You receive a documented overview of the process, the candidates, and our observations from the recruitment market. This also serves as a useful reference for future planning.

Interested in executive search? Get in touch.

Want to find out how we could help with your specific recruitment need? Drop us a line – we’re happy to talk it through and work out the right approach together.

Specialist executive search teams

Strong networks and continuously updated market intelligence

In-depth sector expertise

End-to-end solutions, not just individual searches

Barona has long experience carrying out executive search assignments for specialist, mid-management and senior leadership roles. We work closely with Momentous, a company within our group, which brings particular depth to leadership-level searches. Together, we are part of Barona – a workforce solutions platform combining the market’s widest network with genuine sector expertise.

Frequently asked questions

Executive search (headhunting) means we actively seek out and approach candidates without a public job posting. It makes passive candidates reachable and gives you greater confidence in your hire — particularly when an open advert is unlikely to attract the right people.

Yes. Executive search doesn’t rule out using open advertising — quite the opposite. Many clients run hybrid searches that combine job postings with targeted headhunting. This brings both visibility and precision. A direct search can also be focused on just one role, while other positions are filled through staffing or volume recruitment.

Often a single scoping conversation is enough to get things started. A search can begin quickly once objectives and timelines have been agreed.

Executive search works particularly well for specialist, mid-management and senior leadership positions. It adds the most value when a role is business-critical, the profile is demanding, or the pool of suitable candidates is limited.

Yes. Executive search is an excellent option when you don’t want to advertise openly — for example in competitive or sensitive situations, or during periods of organisational change.