Our answers
General questions
Executive search, commonly known as headhunting, is a specialized recruitment methodology focused on identifying and directly approaching senior executives, strategic leaders and board members. It provides access to high-caliber talent that is often unavailable through traditional recruitment channels.
When a leadership appointment is strategic, confidential or particularly challenging, Executive Search provides access to the best talent through targeted market research, direct outreach, comprehensive assessment and a highly tailored approach.
ALPHOM is an independent Swiss Executive Search firm specializing in the recruitment of senior executives and board members. We operate exclusively on retained assignments, combining market expertise, direct search and a bespoke approach aligned with our clients’ strategic objectives.
Client questions
Each assignment begins with an in-depth analysis of the organization’s needs, followed by market mapping, direct candidate engagement, rigorous assessment and ongoing support through the successful integration of the selected candidate.
Nearly 90% of ALPHOM Executive Search assignments involve the recruitment of senior executives, executive leaders and board members. We also support organizations in recruiting highly specialized or strategically critical experts when business needs require it.
We work with public and private organizations across a broad range of sectors, including financial services, industry, healthcare, luxury goods, watchmaking, construction, technology, professional services, foundations and institutions.
We combine direct search, professional network research, talent intelligence, data-driven sourcing and in-depth market analysis to identify exceptional individuals who are often beyond the reach of traditional recruitment methods.
We evaluate candidates across multiple dimensions, including expertise, experience, leadership capabilities, track record and cultural alignment, ensuring that only the most relevant profiles are presented to our clients.
Confidentiality is at the core of every assignment. All searches, discussions and assessments are conducted according to the highest standards of discretion, professionalism and data protection.
A retained model ensures the highest level of commitment, confidentiality and execution quality. It allows us to dedicate the necessary resources to each assignment and provide a truly tailored partnership throughout the entire search process.
ALPHOM Executive Search maintains regular contact with both the client and the appointed executive throughout the first year and provides a replacement guarantee in accordance with the terms of the assignment.
Candidate questions
Yes. All information shared with ALPHOM Executive Search is treated with the strictest confidentiality and is only disclosed with the candidate’s prior consent.
We primarily recruit senior executives, experienced leaders, subject-matter experts and board members capable of supporting growth, transformation and governance challenges.
We identify talent through a combination of direct search, market mapping, referrals and a professional network built and nurtured over many years.
Yes. We welcome unsolicited applications and retain candidate profiles in accordance with applicable data protection regulations, allowing us to identify relevant opportunities as they arise.
Diversity is an integral part of our approach. Since its inception, ALPHOM Executive Search has been committed to promoting greater representation of women in executive leadership and board positions. Today, more than 55% of our placements are women, reflecting our commitment to excellence, equal opportunity and merit-based selection.
Client and candidate testimonials
Being approached by ALPHOM Executive Search means experiencing a process built on listening, discretion, and trust. From the very first conversations, my background, skills, and motivations were considered in their entirety, with genuine attention given to the fit between my personality, the role, and the organization’s culture.
In a dual recruitment process for both a Chair and a Chief Executive Officer, the complexity also lies in identifying complementary profiles capable of forming a leadership team that is operationally effective, strategically aligned, and coherent. ALPHOM guided this process with both rigor and humanity, supporting me through my appointment, onboarding, and beyond to ensure a lasting integration.
Candidates approached by ALPHOM can move forward with confidence, while organizations benefit from a committed partner focused on the success of their strategic appointments.
ALPHOM Executive Search has successfully supported me on several occasions in recruiting executives in the industry. In addition to their professional skills, the ALPHOM team is careful to match a candidates’ personality to the culture of the company and facilitate their integration within their new professional environment. The recruitment process is transparent and candidate files are high-quality and comprehensive. My experiences with all the recruits to date have been very positive. I will definitely work with ALPHOM Executive Search again in the future.
I first engaged with ALPHOM Executive Search during a recruitment process and was particularly impressed by their professionalism. Their approach is highly structured, while still allowing space for meaningful dialogue and genuine exchange.
What stands out is their commitment to ensuring the right match between the candidate, the role, and the organization. Rather than simply filling a position, ALPHOM focuses on long-term alignment, enabling both the candidate and the company to make informed decisions with confidence.
The insights and feedback I received throughout the process were also extremely valuable on a personal level, making the experience both rewarding and enriching.
ALPHOM Executive Search has successfully hired several directors for us and our clients, always while respecting given timelines and providing highly relevant candidates that responded exactly to our needs. The effort they put into understanding our requirements and communicating with us at each step of the recruitment process made it a pleasure to work with them. Furthermore, their honesty, candor and professionalism make them valuable partners with whom we are delighted to continue our collaboration.
We worked with ALPHOM Executive Search to recruit the CEO and CFO of an industrial company in which we are shareholders. These recruitment efforts were not straightforward, and we experienced a few setbacks before turning to ALPHOM. Their attentiveness and highly tailored approach enabled us to meet several high-caliber candidates. Their guidance helped us recognize these candidates’ strengths beyond our own perceptions, and we are therefore very pleased with this collaboration.
ALPHOM Executive Search quickly became a strategic partner in supporting the growth of our intellectual property advisory practice. Their ability to identify and attract highly specialized talent - multilingual patent attorneys, technology law experts, and other rare profiles - has been instrumental in strengthening our capabilities.
What sets ALPHOM apart is the depth of their approach. Beyond technical expertise, they take the time to understand our culture, values, and long-term objectives, ensuring that every candidate is assessed not only for their qualifications, but also for their fit within our organization.
Through our collaboration with ALPHOM, we have successfully strengthened our IP team with highly skilled and committed professionals. Their professionalism, transparency, and rigorous approach make them a trusted partner in our continued growth.
The great thing about ALPHOM Executive Search is their understanding of where we want to go and ability to hire key talents worldwide who completely match our culture. Instrumental in building an engaged and high-performing team, ALPHOM has also been a great help with onboarding candidates. Grateful for their precious support, I look forward to continuing this constructive collaboration in the future.
Paolo Zanetti, General Manager
E.M.S. Electro Medical Systems SA