Specialist Practice

Executive & Leadership

Board, C-suite and senior leadership appointments.

+6.2%Median executive base movement, 2025→26
34%Of CEO searches now run on a confidential basis
11 wksMedian time-to-appoint for retained C-suite mandates
Overview

Our Executive & Leadership practice handles the most senior and sensitive appointments — the roles that set strategy, shape culture and carry the organisation's reputation. We bring confidential, research-led search and rigorous assessment to every mandate.

Market context

Across APAC, boards face succession pressure, governance scrutiny and the need for leaders who can navigate complexity and change. We help them appoint with confidence — benchmarking internal and external talent, and protecting confidentiality at every step.

Talent market insights · Q2 2026

Where this market stands today

Executive reward continued to rise through 2025, though the headline base figure tells only part of the story. Boards are rebalancing packages toward at-risk, performance-linked components — short- and long-term incentives now drive the majority of upside for chief executives and divisional leaders, while fixed pay growth has moderated to the mid-single digits.

Demand by segment

Transformation & turnaround CEOs Acute — proven margin and change track record at a premium.
Chief Operating Officers Strong demand as boards separate strategy from execution.
Independent / NED talent Governance, cyber and AI literacy increasingly mandated.
Divisional / Country MDs

Hiring demand index

+48.3%
202120222023202420252026

Leadership search demand index (2021 = 58, baseline). Driven by succession and transformation mandates.

Salary snapshot

What these roles pay

Base salary, AUD '000 p.a. (excl. STI/LTI & equity). For city-level and total-reward detail, download the full Executive & Leadership Salary Guide.

Non-Executive Director ASX 200 / large private
$90k $130k typical $220k
Chair Mid-large board
$180k $280k typical $520k
Chief Executive Officer Mid-market ($50–250m)
$350k $520k typical $800k
Chief Executive Officer Large / ASX 200
$700k $1100k typical $2200k
Chief Operating Officer Enterprise
$320k $460k typical $680k
Managing Director Country / division
$300k $420k typical $640k
General Manager Business unit
$220k $300k typical $430k
Key talent shortage

Leaders with demonstrable AI and digital transformation outcomes, not just strategy decks.

View the full Executive & Leadership Salary Guide

Talent Community

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