Retained Executive Search

High-stakes roles demand precision.

Executive search for VP, GM, and C-suite roles in aerospace, defense, and space. We find the right leaders for the toughest seats. Exclusive engagement, six-to-ten weeks, dedicated partner from intake through onboarding.

Who It Is For

The clients who hire us for retained work.

01

PE-Backed A&D Manufacturers

Portfolio companies that need production leaders and operations teams with defense supply chain experience. We understand the hundred-day plan and what it takes to hit it.

02

Tier 1–3 DoD Suppliers

Program leads who can navigate CMMC, ITAR, and defense customer relationships. Mission-critical hires at scale, across structures, electronics, and integrated systems.

03

Founder-Led and Family Office A&D

Executive teams that blend technical credibility with business acumen. We find operators who fit the culture you have already built.

04

Space Systems and Advanced Tech

VP Engineering, VP Operations, and commercial business development leaders for rapid-growth space and advanced technology companies.

05

Program-Critical Roles

Government-facing program managers and business development leads. Cleared candidates when needed, with the security context the role requires.

06

Decentralized Operators

Businesses where the BU leader owns the P&L. The wrong leader compounds quarterly. We hire for the operator who can hold the number.

The Search Process

Four phases. Disciplined every time.

01

Align

We get granular on role scope, culture fit, compensation, and decision timeline. Non-negotiable qualifications first. Most searches fail at this step, before a single name is sourced.

02

Target

Systematic prospecting across our network and active sourcing. We reach out to leaders you did not know were available. No job postings. No database blasts. Direct conversations with the right operators.

03

Qualify

Deep-dive conversations, reference checks, and culture alignment. Only screened candidates come to your desk with a written brief on each. You see fewer candidates, but every one is a credible offer.

04

Close

We manage offer negotiation, counter-offer risk, and onboarding. Your retention is our reputation. Post-placement check-ins at thirty, sixty, and ninety days are standard.

What Is Included

Every retained engagement.

  • Unlimited candidate presentations until the role is filled
  • Proprietary network and active sourcing across A&D
  • Two-tier screening on every candidate
  • Written candidate brief, not just a resume
  • Reference checks performed by EXO directly
  • Offer structuring and counter-offer management
  • Thirty, sixty, ninety-day post-placement check-ins
  • Placement protection per the agreement
  • Dedicated partner from intake to close
What We Do Not Do

What you will not get.

  • Mass-emailed resume lists with no context
  • Candidate screening you have to do yourself
  • Overpromises on things outside our control
  • Geographic shotgun sourcing
  • Commodity recruiting at the executive level
  • Searches outside our candidate market depth
  • The hand-off after the kickoff call
  • LinkedIn keyword search dressed up as research
  • Retainers for searches we cannot win

Ready to fill your executive role?

Tell us about the search. We will give you a straight answer on fit within twenty-four hours, and if we are not the right call, we will tell you that too.