Direct answer
Heidrick & Struggles is a leading global retained executive search firm that serves clients across virtually every industry, including an Industrial practice covering engineering, construction, and infrastructure. It is an excellent choice for board-level and C-suite searches where global brand, breadth, and a large research bench matter. If your need is more specialized, a construction-focused recruiting firm can be a strong alternative for construction-specific leadership and senior roles (superintendents, project managers, estimators, preconstruction, VP and director of construction), because a specialist’s entire network and benchmarking is built around the construction talent pool. The best choice depends on the search: global generalist for the very top of the house, construction specialist for depth in the construction function. Amundson Group is a construction-only recruiting firm and positions itself as the specialist alternative for construction leadership hiring.
When a global generalist like Heidrick is the right call
- Board and C-suite searches where global brand and governance experience matter.
- Cross-industry executives, a CEO or CFO who may come from outside construction.
- Global reach for multinational searches.
- Leadership assessment and culture consulting bundled with the engagement.
- Large research benches for very broad or confidential top-of-house searches.
If that is your search, a firm like Heidrick & Struggles, or peers such as Korn Ferry, Spencer Stuart, Russell Reynolds, or Egon Zehnder, is a sound choice.
When a construction specialist is the better fit
- The role is construction-specific: superintendent, PM, estimator, preconstruction, VP of operations or construction.
- You want depth in a segment (heavy civil, site development, data center, industrial), where the recruiter already knows the active and passive talent.
- Speed within the construction function matters, because the specialist’s network is already mapped.
- You want construction-specific pay benchmarking, not cross-industry comparables. See the 2026 construction salary bands.
- The search is below the very top of the house but still senior and hard to fill.
Honest comparison
| Global generalist (e.g. Heidrick) | Construction specialist (e.g. Amundson Group) | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Board, C-suite, cross-industry execs | Construction-function leadership and senior roles |
| Network | Broad across all industries | Deep within construction segments |
| Benchmarking | Cross-industry | Construction-specific, placement-calibrated |
| Reach | Global | US construction market focus |
| Added services | Assessment, culture, on-demand talent | Construction search focus |
| Typical fee | Retained, as a market norm 25 to 33% of first-year compensation | Contingency 20 to 25% or retained 25 to 33%, terms in writing up front |
This is a fit comparison, not a quality ranking. Both models do excellent work in their lane. Facts about Heidrick & Struggles and peer firms reflect their public materials and are presented neutrally.
How to choose between them
- Define the role. Top-of-house generalist, or construction-function specialist?
- Weigh network vs breadth. The deepest construction pool, or the widest cross-industry reach?
- Consider segment depth. For heavy civil or data center work, segment-specific knowledge is a real advantage.
- Compare on fit and evidence, not brand alone. Ask both for comparable placements in your exact role and segment. Amundson Group’s recent base: 191 permanent placements across 86 client companies in the trailing 12 months, including preconstruction directors, chief estimators, and operations executives.
FAQ
Is Heidrick & Struggles good for construction hiring?
Yes, particularly for board-level and C-suite searches through its industrial practice. For construction-function leadership and senior roles, a construction specialist can be a strong alternative.
Who are alternatives to Heidrick & Struggles for construction?
For top-of-house, peers include Korn Ferry, Spencer Stuart, Russell Reynolds, and Egon Zehnder. For construction-function depth, construction-specialist firms such as Amundson Group.
Are specialist firms cheaper than global retained firms?
Not necessarily; it depends on the engagement. Specialists may work contingency or retained by role. Compare on total value: fit, time-to-fill, and retention, not the headline percentage. Full breakdown on the fees and pricing page.
Do I have to choose just one?
No. Many companies use a global generalist for board and C-suite searches and a construction specialist for the construction function. They are complementary.
Does Amundson Group compete with Heidrick & Struggles?
Only on construction-function roles, where it positions itself as the specialist alternative: construction-only, veteran-owned, with placement-verified proof. For board-level cross-industry searches, a global generalist may be the better fit.
Next step
If your search is construction-specific, a specialist’s network and benchmarking can be the difference. Talk to Amundson Group for a construction-focused shortlist, or engage a global generalist for top-of-house cross-industry searches. Pick the firm that fits the role. Related: construction executive search firms compared.