Executive Search
How We Can Help
People decisions shape business direction. We help you get them right.
People decisions shape business direction. We help you get them right.
At executive level, hiring isn’t just about capability. It’s about influence, alignment, and timing. The right appointment can steady a ship, unlock culture, or reshape strategy. The wrong one costs more than time.
At Samuels Donegan, we specialise in executive search for People and Culture leadership roles.
We work with Boards, Founders and the C-Suite to deliver appointments that drive transformation, navigate complexity, and elevate performance. Whether you're building a future ready HR function or replacing a critical leader, we bring the insight, care, and access needed to get the decision right.
What makes Samuels Donegan different?
We are not just another executive search firm. Here is what sets us apart:
✔️
Culture first, always
We translate culture into hiring decisions, helping you build teams that align with how your business thinks, leads and grows.
✔️
Fit for now and the future
We hire for the organisation you are today and the one you are becoming, not just for technical skill.
✔️
We challenge and calibrate the brief
We will tell you what the market can deliver, where your expectations need adjusting and how to align capability, budget and maturity.
✔️
Market intelligence that sharpens your decision makin
We bring insights to the table, not just talent, so you make informed decisions with clarity and confidence.
✔️
Radical transparency
No smoke and mirrors. If there is a clear preferred candidate or a messy internal dynamic, we name it.
✔️
Access to off market executive talent
We reach beyond active job seekers to engage high calibre leaders who align with your values, strategy and culture.
✔️
Speed when it counts
We can deliver a CPO shortlist within four weeks if you are ready to move. This is high touch, high urgency search done right.
What makes Samuels Donegan different?
We are not just another executive search firm. Here is what sets us apart:
✔️
Culture first, always
We translate culture into hiring decisions, helping you build teams that align with how your business thinks, leads and grows.
✔️
Fit for now and the future
We hire for the organisation you are today and the one you are becoming, not just for technical skill.
✔️
We challenge and calibrate the brief
We will tell you what the market can deliver, where your expectations need adjusting and how to align capability, budget and maturity.
✔️
Market intelligence that sharpens your decision makin
We bring insights to the table, not just talent, so you make informed decisions with clarity and confidence.
✔️
Radical transparency
No smoke and mirrors. If there is a clear preferred candidate or a messy internal dynamic, we name it.
✔️
Access to off market executive talent
We reach beyond active job seekers to engage high calibre leaders who align with your values, strategy and culture.
✔️
Speed when it counts
We can deliver a CPO shortlist within four weeks if you are ready to move. This is high touch, high urgency search done right.
What makes Samuels Donegan different?
We are not just another executive search firm. Here is what sets us apart:
✔️
Culture first, always
We translate culture into hiring decisions, helping you build teams that align with how your business thinks, leads and grows.
✔️
Fit for now and the future
We hire for the organisation you are today and the one you are becoming, not just for technical skill.
✔️
We challenge and calibrate the brief
We will tell you what the market can deliver, where your expectations need adjusting and how to align capability, budget and maturity.
✔️
Market intelligence that sharpens your decision makin
We bring insights to the table, not just talent, so you make informed decisions with clarity and confidence.
✔️
Radical transparency
No smoke and mirrors. If there is a clear preferred candidate or a messy internal dynamic, we name it.
✔️
Access to off market executive talent
We reach beyond active job seekers to engage high calibre leaders who align with your values, strategy and culture.
✔️
Speed when it counts
We can deliver a CPO shortlist within four weeks if you are ready to move. This is high touch, high urgency search done right.
What makes Samuels Donegan different?
We are not just another executive search firm. Here is what sets us apart:
✔️
Culture first, always
We translate culture into hiring decisions, helping you build teams that align with how your business thinks, leads and grows.
✔️
Fit for now and the future
We hire for the organisation you are today and the one you are becoming, not just for technical skill.
✔️
We challenge and calibrate the brief
We will tell you what the market can deliver, where your expectations need adjusting and how to align capability, budget and maturity.
✔️
Market intelligence that sharpens your decision makin
We bring insights to the table, not just talent, so you make informed decisions with clarity and confidence.
✔️
Radical transparency
No smoke and mirrors. If there is a clear preferred candidate or a messy internal dynamic, we name it.
✔️
Access to off market executive talent
We reach beyond active job seekers to engage high calibre leaders who align with your values, strategy and culture.
✔️
Speed when it counts
We can deliver a CPO shortlist within four weeks if you are ready to move. This is high touch, high urgency search done right.
We lead executive searches across the full People and Culture function, including:
Chief People Officer
Executive General Manager People
General Manager People Capability and Safety
Head of Talent Acquisition
Director Organisational Development
Director Learning and Development
Director Remuneration and Benefits
Head of Reward and Performance
Director Workplace Relations
Head of Employee and Industrial Relations
Director Diversity Equity and Inclusion
Director HR Operations
Our
Our
Our
Our
Approach
Approach
Process
Step 1
Discovery and alignment
Discovery and alignment
We take the time upfront to understand your business context, strategic goals and leadership style. This shapes how we position the opportunity and who we target.
We take the time upfront to understand your business context, strategic goals and leadership style. This shapes how we position the opportunity and who we target.
Step 2
Search strategy and outreach
Search strategy and outreach
We design a tailored strategy and engage both passive and active candidates through warm network introductions, peer referrals and targeted search.
We design a tailored strategy and engage both passive and active candidates through warm network introductions, peer referrals and targeted search.
Step 3
Shortlisting and insights
Shortlisting and insights
You will receive a curated shortlist with detailed candidate reports covering experience, leadership style, culture fit, remuneration expectations and notice periods.
You will receive a curated shortlist with detailed candidate reports covering experience, leadership style, culture fit, remuneration expectations and notice periods.
Step 4
Selection and advisory
Selection and advisory
We guide you through multi stakeholder interviews, gather market insights and help with decision making and negotiation.
We guide you through multi stakeholder interviews, gather market insights and help with decision making and negotiation.
Step 5
Close out and onboarding
Close out and onboarding
We manage offer negotiations and stay close through the transition period, supporting onboarding success and long term fit.
We manage offer negotiations and stay close through the transition period, supporting onboarding success and long term fit.
“Hiring for now is easy. Hiring for where you’re going? That’s a different game. That’s where we come in.”
“Hiring for now is easy. Hiring for where you’re going? That’s a different game. That’s where we come in.”
“Hiring for now is easy. Hiring for where you’re going? That’s a different game. That’s where we come in.”
Why clients
Why clients
Why clients
choose
choose
Samuels Donegan
Samuels Donegan
Samuels Donegan
We know HR leadership - it is all we do
We know HR leadership - it is all we do
We deliver at pace without compromising care
We deliver at pace without compromising care
We bring clarity where others bring noise
We bring clarity where others bring noise
We challenge the brief to elevate the outcome
We challenge the brief to elevate the outcome
We protect your brand and your time
We protect your brand and your time
We know HR leadership - it is all we do
We deliver at pace without compromising care
We bring clarity where others bring noise
We challenge the brief to elevate the outcome
We protect your brand and your time
Why clients
choose
Samuels Donegan
Samuels Donegan
We know HR leadership - it is all we do
We deliver at pace without compromising care
We bring clarity where others bring noise
We challenge the brief to elevate the outcome
We protect your brand and your time
Ready to hire your next executive leader?
Ready to hire your next executive leader?
Get in touch to book a confidential briefing or chat through your executive hiring needs. A senior member of our team will be in contact shortly.
Insights
Recent News
Winner: Sourcr 2025 Best Agency - Human Resources, Victoria
Samuels Donegan has just been named Sourcr 2025 Best Agency - Human Resources, Victoria, and we couldn't be happier!
Winner: Sourcr 2025 Best Agency - Human Resources, Victoria
Samuels Donegan has just been named Sourcr 2025 Best Agency - Human Resources, Victoria, and we couldn't be happier!
Winner: Sourcr 2025 Best Agency - Human Resources, Victoria
Samuels Donegan has just been named Sourcr 2025 Best Agency - Human Resources, Victoria, and we couldn't be happier!
10 Themes Shaping Leadership You Need To Know
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10 Themes Shaping Leadership You Need To Know
Here are ten themes shaping leadership in the current environment and what they mean for your organisation and people strategy.
5 Ways to Protect Your People from Burnout
Burnout doesn't always look like burnout. From quiet disengagement to missed breaks, these 5 practical tips will help People & Culture leaders protect their teams and build a more sustainable workplace.
5 Ways to Protect Your People from Burnout
Burnout doesn't always look like burnout. From quiet disengagement to missed breaks, these 5 practical tips will help People & Culture leaders protect their teams and build a more sustainable workplace.
5 Ways to Protect Your People from Burnout
Burnout doesn't always look like burnout. From quiet disengagement to missed breaks, these 5 practical tips will help People & Culture leaders protect their teams and build a more sustainable workplace.
Winner: Sourcr 2025 Best Agency - Human Resources, Victoria
Samuels Donegan has just been named Sourcr 2025 Best Agency - Human Resources, Victoria, and we couldn't be happier!
10 Themes Shaping Leadership You Need To Know
Here are ten themes shaping leadership in the current environment and what they mean for your organisation and people strategy.
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