President Executive Search for Owner-Led Companies

Captains Club is a Gilbert, Arizona retained executive search firm that helps owners hire a President for owner-led and PE-backed companies in Arizona and the Western U.S. We run president executive search for owners who are handing off day-to-day leadership or planning succession. To start a conversation, call 480-347-9000 or request a consultation.

What a president executive search is for

In an owner-led company, a President is the leader who can carry company-wide authority. When the mandate calls for it, that includes the P&L. The President reports to the founder, the CEO, or the board.

The same title can describe very different mandates from one company to the next. For a full comparison of how a President differs from a COO, read the President vs COO guide.

When owners hire a President

Owners typically hire a President when they want to step back from daily leadership and still keep the company moving. The same seat comes up when the business has outgrown founder-led operations, when a succession plan needs a second-in-command with enterprise authority, or when a PE-backed board wants an operator in the President seat.

A retained president search is the engagement for that hire. The work is to find a leader who can run the company, or a large share of it, beside an involved owner or board.

How we run a President search

Daniel Cheetham leads the work on every President search, from the opening strategy meeting until the offer is signed. We begin with a strategy session and a multi-stakeholder scoping of the seat, so the mandate is agreed before any candidate is contacted. That session produces a talent map of where strong candidates sit, a scorecard for the role, and a compensation benchmark.

Candidates review a private Opportunity Overview site about the company and the seat. Outreach stays active for the life of the search. What we learn in interviews feeds back into the brief, so the target profile gets sharper as the work proceeds.

Each finalist is written up through Navigating Talent. Head addresses behavioral fit with the team the President will join. Heart addresses values and what drives the person. Helm addresses whether the operating record holds up at a comparable scale. Horizon can appear as a short note on the relationships a leader can bring. We stay with you through offer talks, pay coaching, and onboarding plans for the first 90 days. The full engagement is described on What we do.

What a President search costs

There is no published fee that applies only to a President search. Pricing for Retained Executive Search is stated on What we do:

"One flat fee, set upfront. Most searches fall between $45,000 and $75,000."

"Every search starts with a $5,000 monthly retainer, and every dollar is credited toward one flat search fee."

A President search typically falls in that same range. The amount is set at the start of the engagement and stays fixed if the offer changes. For a fuller breakdown, see our guide to what executive search costs for a COO or President.

What we do also states: "Six-month replacement guarantee on every placement." The home page gives the full terms: "Every placement carries a six-month replacement guarantee. If it doesn't work out, we pick up where we left off to ensure the right candidate is in place. Our job isn't done at the offer letter."

Results to check before you hire a President recruiter

Before you hire a President recruiter, look at the outcomes the firm makes public. On Results, we report a 94% 12-month stick rate. The same page records a 9.6 Net Promoter Score, shows searches as 100% Aptive Index Certified, and includes comments from clients and candidates.

If you want more detail on how finalists are evaluated, see the executive assessment methods guide. To compare firms before you call, read how to choose an executive search firm.

Where we recruit Presidents

We work from 50 W Vaughn Ave in Gilbert, Arizona 85233. From this Gilbert base we run President searches for owner-operated firms and PE-backed businesses across Arizona and the rest of the Western U.S. Owners who want a local starting point can also read the Phoenix executive search page or our Arizona executive search page. A longer view of the companies we work with is on Who we serve.

President executive search FAQs

What is president executive search?

President executive search is a retained search to find a President who can carry company-wide authority, and often the P&L, for an owner-led or PE-backed company. Captains Club runs these President searches throughout Arizona and the rest of the Western U.S.

Do you help owners hire a president?

Yes. Captains Club, based in Gilbert, Arizona, runs retained searches that help owners hire a President. Daniel Cheetham leads every engagement with Navigating Talent. Phone 480-347-9000, or request a consultation at https://www.captainsclub.com/contact-us.

How is a President different from a COO?

In most mandates, a President holds company-wide authority, including the P&L, and reports to the founder, the CEO, or the board. A COO usually runs daily operations, and whether that seat owns the P&L depends on how the role is written. Because the two titles can cover similar ground, we explain the choice in our President vs COO guide at https://www.captainsclub.com/resources-guides/president-vs-coo.

How much does a President search cost?

Captains Club charges one flat fee, typically $45,000 to $75,000, set before the search begins. Every search starts with a $5,000 monthly retainer credited dollar-for-dollar toward that fee, and every placement carries a six-month replacement guarantee. Current pricing is published at https://www.captainsclub.com/what-we-do.

What results do you publish?

Published outcomes on our Results page include a 94% 12-month stick rate and a 9.6 Net Promoter Score. That page also records searches as 100% Aptive Index Certified and includes comments from clients and candidates.

Can a President search stay confidential?

Yes. A President search can begin in confidence. Phone 480-347-9000, or use https://www.captainsclub.com/contact-us to start a private conversation.