For Critical Hires Where Failing Isn't An Option

High Stakes Hiring

Handled Properly.

Confidential search across MENA-
Discreate, structured and managed to final discussion

Our focus: market leaders, directly engaged - not active applicant

Our Candidates:fully screened, calibrated, and ready for serious discussion

Our Guided process: supports both client and candidate — avoiding wasted interviews

Why Senior Hiring Often Breaks Down

It's Not because of a lack of candidates-but because of how the process is run

Access is
Limited

Screening Lacks
Depth

Interviews are inconsistent

Momentum
is lost

Most searches rely on active candidates, instead mapping out strong leaders.

Profiles can look strong or weak on paper whilst Performance speaks
another story.

Good candidates get overlooked. Whereas
weak ones
progress further.

Delays and misalignments cause top talent to disengage.




The True Cost of Hiring Isn't Just ''Time''

It's actually about missed hires, delayed growth and making
decisions with incomplete facts and information.


This is where adopting a controlled approach becomes critical .

Our Edge

Prepared Candidates

Better Outcomes

We don't just identify exceptional talent,
We ensure they are aligned, prepared and ready
for high level discussions.
We always:

ASSESS BEYOND CV'S

We evaluate leadership potential,
experience and cultural fit indepth.

POSSITION FOR SUCCESS

We refine each candidates positioning
and value propositioning before introductions.

GUIDE FOR INTERVIEW READINESS

We prepare candidates for high stakes
conversation that drive results.




The Result is simple.

Higher Quality Conversations

A Faster, More Efficient Process

Stronger
Alignment

Better Hiring Outcome

Clients only meet the right Candidates - well prepared

Less time is wasted
on unqualified profiles

Recognising better fits for
team, culture and goals

Stronger Leaders for
true business impact


Common Hiring Complaints ''Client Challenges''















CASE STUDIES - Actual Problems Hiring Heads Face:
And How We Have Helped

NDA-safe proof

Case Outcomes — Confidential, Fast, Board-Ready

Three examples of the problems hiring heads actually face: stalled mandates, rare hybrid profiles, and stakeholder misalignment. Click “Read more” to jump to the full case study page.

Power & Energy Investor Relations KSA

Case Study 1: Investor Relations (Power & Energy) — Mandate Unblocked

Problem: stalled 12 months Speed: shortlist in 8 weeks Outcome: hired

A top agency ran it for ~12 months with low traction. We rebuilt the success profile and quietly targeted operator-grade IR talent.

  • Why hard: true IR operators are rare and rarely apply.
  • Risk: counteroffers + market noise can derail late.
  • Fix: calibration + controlled outreach + proof-led screening.
Read more
FinTech Asset Management KSA / UAE

Case Study 2: Head of FinTech — “Hybrid Operator” Shortlist

Speed: finalists in 14 days Close: ~30 days Fit: governance-ready

The real shortage isn’t “digital titles”. It’s leaders who can execute inside structured governance, stakeholders, and compliance.

  • Why hard: many fintech leaders lack corporate cadence + controls.
  • Risk: strong CVs fail late-stage due to governance gaps.
  • Fix: evidence-led screening for delivery + stakeholder influence.
Read more
Asset Management Board-critical GCC

Case Study 3: Board-Critical Leadership Hire — Alignment Fixed

Problem: misalignment Result: decision-ready finalists Outcome: cleaner close

The mandate wasn’t moving because stakeholders were scoring different criteria. We calibrated deal-breakers first, then built the shortlist.

  • Why hard: “good candidates” fail late when success criteria isn’t aligned.
  • Risk: prolonged interview cycles create cost + reputational drag.
  • Fix: calibration + mapping proof to each stakeholder concern.
Read more
SAMPLE ROLES WE RECRUIT

C-SUITE
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Chief Risk Officer (CRO)
Chief Operations Officer (COO)
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Chief Information Officer (CIO)
Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)
Chief Procurement Officer (CPO)

UPPER LEVEL MANAGEMENT ROLES
Regional Sales Managing Director
Head of Investments
Head of Real Estate Development
Head of Real Estate Investments
Head of Risk
Head of Finance
Head of Compliance
Head of Investor Relations
Head of Treasury
Fund / Investment Director
Director of Investor Relations
Corporate Finance Director
Managing Director
Director of Finance
Investment Sales Director
Director of Sales Placements
Director of Portfolio Management

MIDDLE - SENIOR LEVEL MANAGEMENT
Portfolio Fund Manager
Senior Auditor
Senior Accountant
Senior Analysts
Investor Relations Manager
Corporate Finance Manager
Relationship Managers
Private Bankers

Elm Hunt Sectors


Frequently Asked Questions

1) How fast can you deliver credible finalists?
+

For most leadership mandates we deliver a shortlist-quality set of finalists within 14–30 days, depending on role complexity, location, and confidentiality level. We confirm timeline and shortlist standard in the 30-minute discovery consultation-call.

2) What does “Confidential by default” actually mean?
+

No public advertising. Controlled outreach to passive leaders, identity protection in early stages, and NDA-ready execution when required.

3) Do you work retained, exclusive, or contingent?
+

All three—based on urgency, scarcity, and confidentiality. For board-critical or sensitive hires, retained/exclusive is usually the cleanest model for priority execution and discreet access.

4) What makes your shortlist different from typical agencies?
+

Fewer, stronger finalists. Operator-first screening (Performance-proven finalists), tight calibration, and controlled market mapping—so you spend less time interviewing and reach decision-ready candidates faster.

5) Can you run a sensitive replacement without market noise?
+

Yes. We use quiet search protocols, controlled references, and identity protection to reduce internal disruption and external leakage.

6) Do you support offer-close and counteroffers?
+

Yes—motivation validation, offer positioning, notice-period navigation, and counteroffer risk management to prevent end-stage collapse.

7) What industries do you cover — are you limited to Asset Management and Real Estate?
+

We have deep strength in Asset Management, Investment and Finance and Real Estate Development, and we also deliver board-level mandates across adjacent sectors (FinTech, Construction, Power & Energy, and other leadership roles). If the role is high-stakes and GCC-based, we can assess it quickly.

8) What do you need from us to start?
+

A short brief is usually enough, and a manadate/Job Description is useful if you have on to hand. On the triage-discovery call we align: role outcomes, role objectives, must-haves, reporting line, confidentiality level, compensation reality,personality type and timeline.

9) How do fees work?
+

Fees depend on the engagement model (retained / exclusive / contingent), seniority, and market scarcity. We recommend the cleanest model after triage based on speed, risk, and confidentiality.

10) What happens after the 30-minute triage/consultation call?
+

You leave with a clear next step: shortlist standard, delivery timeline, and recommended search approach (and NDA if needed). If we proceed, we move into calibration and market mapping immediately.

For CEOs, Boards, and Senior HR leaders. Strictly Confidential. No obligations


See What Our Partner Client's Are Saying


Testimonials

“Elm Hunt found us strong technical candidates fast — discreet outreach, clean screening, and a shortlist we could act on immediately.”

CHRO Energy & Power (Director / IR) Riyadh, KSA

“Very pleased with the quality for senior hires — discretion, attention to detail, and candidates who ‘fit’ beyond the CV.”

COO Asset Management (C-suite) Dubai, UAE

“High standard of talent — technically strong and culturally aligned. Coordination was proactive and structured throughout.”

Head of HR Real Estate Development (Leadership) KSA

“They repeated strong performance on a second mandate — disciplined market mapping and consistent follow-through.”

VP Investment (Confidential Search) KSA

“Shortlist quality was consistently higher — fewer CVs, better fit, and faster decision-making from our side.”

CEO FinTech (Head / Director) UAE

“Partner-level involvement mattered — we got clarity fast, strong screening notes, and candidates ready for final interviews.”

Managing Director Investment / Asset Mgmt (C-suite) DIFC, Dubai

“We needed discretion and speed. Elm Hunt handled outreach quietly and delivered a shortlist that matched our non-negotiables.”

Partner Real Estate Investment (Director) KSA

“Excellent market coverage for a challenging role — they understood the profile and brought credible candidates, not ‘maybes’.”

Head of Talent Energy / Infrastructure (Leadership) UAE

“Elm Hunt found us strong technical candidates fast — discreet outreach, clean screening, and a shortlist we could act on immediately.”

CHRO Energy & Power (Director / IR) Riyadh, KSA

“Very pleased with the quality for senior hires — discretion, attention to detail, and candidates who ‘fit’ beyond the CV.”

COO Asset Management (C-suite) Dubai, UAE

“High standard of talent — technically strong and culturally aligned. Coordination was proactive and structured throughout.”

Head of HR Real Estate Development (Leadership) KSA

“They repeated strong performance on a second mandate — disciplined market mapping and consistent follow-through.”

VP Investment (Confidential Search) KSA

“Shortlist quality was consistently higher — fewer CVs, better fit, and faster decision-making from our side.”

CEO FinTech (Head / Director) UAE

“Partner-level involvement mattered — we got clarity fast, strong screening notes, and candidates ready for final interviews.”

Managing Director Investment / Asset Mgmt (C-suite) DIFC, Dubai

“We needed discretion and speed. Elm Hunt handled outreach quietly and delivered a shortlist that matched our non-negotiables.”

Partner Real Estate Investment (Director) KSA

“Excellent market coverage for a challenging role — they understood the profile and brought credible candidates, not ‘maybes’.”

Head of Talent Energy / Infrastructure (Leadership) UAE

Executive Talent
Mapping & Assessment

Executive Search
Head Hunting


Leadership & Hiring
Strategy Consulting

C suite /Executive Assessment
Planning/Interviewing

HR Bespoke Projects
including Ai Automation

Interim & Fractional
Solutions

Confidential discussion for CEOs, Boards, and Senior HR leaders

AI-Powered Human in the loop
Talent Intelligence

Ai Engineered Start Up
Client Support



Our Insights


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Unlock Leadership Potential

Executive Search Excellence

Strategic Talent Advisory

Trusted by Leading Firms

A Private Discussion Before You Make the Next Move

Whether you’re hiring at board or C-suite level, reassessing leadership strategy, setting up a company or business division or navigating a sensitive executive decision — we provide discreet, senior-level guidance before any mandate is discussed.

For CEOs, Boards, and Senior HR leaders. Strictly Confidential. No obligations