Executive search for purpose-driven organisations

Discreet, rigorous and personally led — for your most critical appointments.

About our Executive Recruitment Services

Executive search is different from recruitment. It’s not about advertising and waiting to see who applies. It’s about understanding the brief deeply, mapping the right market, and approaching the best people — many of whom aren’t actively looking.

Patterson Recruitment leads executive search for senior leadership roles across not-for-profit, aged care, health and education. Based in Melbourne and working nationally, every search is led personally by Gab Patterson, with structured assessment, transparent communication and a clear recommendation.

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Roles typically placed via executive search

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CEO / Executive Director
General Manager / Head of Operations
Head of People & Culture
Chief of Staff
Director of Communications & Engagement
Senior Finance Leadership

How executive search works

Brief & calibration

We start by getting deeply across the role, the team, the organisational context, and what success looks like in 12 months.

Market mapping

We identify the right talent pool — including people who aren’t on the market yet — and build a longlist with our honest assessment.

Direct approach

We reach out to the right people on your behalf, professionally and discreetly.

Assessment

Rigorous interviews, capability and cultural screening, and honest risk assessment.

Shortlist presentation

A clear shortlist — typically 3–4 candidates — with our genuine recommendation on each.

Offer & onboarding support

We manage the offer process and stay involved through commencement.

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Sectors we lead executive searches in

Not-for-profit

Executive directors, CEOs, heads of fundraising, general managers

Aged care

CEOs, general managers, heads of people & culture, operations directors

NDIS & Disability

CEOs, heads of people & culture, operations directors, service delivery managers

Education

General managers, senior student services, HR directors

Frequently asked questions about executive search

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What is executive search, and how is it different from recruitment?

Executive search (sometimes called headhunting) is a targeted, proactive approach used for senior leadership roles. Rather than advertising and waiting for applications, we map the relevant talent market, identify the best candidates — including those not actively looking — and approach them directly on your behalf. It’s more thorough, more discreet, and better suited to senior appointments.

How long does an executive search take?

Most executive searches take 6–10 weeks from brief to offer. This can vary depending on the seniority of the role, the size of the candidate market, and your organisation’s decision-making process. We’ll give you an honest timeline upfront.

What does executive search cost?

Most executive searches take 6–10 weeks from brief to offer. This can vary depending on the seniority of the role, the size of the candidate market, and your organisation’s decision-making process. We’ll give you an honest timeline upfront.

What does executive search cost?

Executive search is typically run on a retained basis with fees structured around defined milestones. Fees vary depending on the role level and complexity. Contact us for a confidential discussion about your specific requirements.

How confidential is the process?

Completely. Discretion is fundamental to executive search. We don’t advertise the role publicly, we approach candidates individually, and all conversations are confidential. This is particularly important for succession planning or when replacing an incumbent who hasn’t yet departed.

Who leads the search?

Every executive search is personally led by Gab Patterson. There are no hand-offs to junior consultants — you work directly with the founder from brief through to placement.