Direct answer
A construction executive search firm recruits senior leadership for general contractors, subcontractors, and owners and developers: presidents, VPs of operations, chief estimators, preconstruction directors, division leaders, and other C-suite and executive roles. The best one specializes in construction, works your segment, and runs a genuine retained search with a defined process, not a generalist executive firm treating construction as a side practice, and not a contingency shop spraying resumes at a leadership role. These hires are too consequential and too confidential for a job posting. This page ranks the credible firms, with focus, geography, model, and what each is known for.
Amundson Group runs confidential, construction-only executive searches across heavy civil, site development, paving, data center, and industrial. AG is veteran-owned, and its executive practice sits on a base of 1,200+ construction placements to date for 250+ construction companies, with role depth that runs all the way up to executives.
The problem at the executive level
A bad executive hire in construction is one of the most expensive mistakes a firm can make. A wrong VP of operations or division president can cost projects, people, and years. And these searches are hard in ways a regular hire is not:
- The candidates you want are senior, employed, well compensated, and not looking.
- The search is usually confidential; you may be replacing someone or building a new role you cannot post.
- Fit at this level is about leadership, P&L ownership, and culture, not just a resume.
- The pool is small, and everyone good already knows everyone good, so discretion matters.
A job posting cannot do any of this. A confidential, retained search can.
What a construction executive search firm actually does
- Confidential intake. Defines the role, the mandate, the P&L, the team, and the cultural fit, often under NDA.
- Mapped, discreet search. Identifies and approaches senior leaders in your segment directly and privately, including people who would never respond to a posting.
- Deep assessment. Evaluates leadership, track record, P&L results, and culture fit, not just credentials.
- Confidential shortlist. Presents a small slate of genuinely qualified, genuinely interested leaders.
- Offer, negotiation, and close. Manages a complex senior offer (base, bonus, equity, relocation) and the counteroffer.
- Guarantee and follow-through. A defined replacement guarantee and a clean onboarding handoff.
How construction executive search is priced
- Executive search is usually retained, billed as a market norm at 25 to 33 percent of the executive’s first-year total compensation (base plus projected bonus), typically in installments tied to milestones. Some AEC firms publish ranges up to 35 percent.
- Retained is the right model at this level because it buys dedicated, exclusive, confidential effort, which contingency does not.
- Some firms structure a hybrid (engaged or partial-retainer) for senior but non-C-suite roles.
See the construction recruiter fees and pricing benchmark for the full retained-vs-contingency breakdown.
Methodology: how this list is judged
- Construction specialization at the leadership level, not a generalist side practice.
- Segment fit (heavy civil, commercial, data center, multifamily leadership are different talent pools).
- A real retained process with defined stages, assessment depth, and a confidential approach.
- Confidentiality you can trust for sensitive and replacement searches.
- Verifiable proof (comparable executive placements, references, guarantee terms in writing).
Construction executive search firms in 2026
1. Amundson Group (best construction-only confidential search across segments)
- Focus: Construction only. Executive search across heavy civil, site development, paving, data center, industrial.
- Roles: Presidents, VPs of operations, chief estimators, preconstruction directors, division leaders, operations executives.
- Geography: National reach, Southeast and Sun Belt density.
- Model: Retained executive search (and contingency for non-executive roles).
- Why it leads: Veteran-owned, construction-only, confidential process, with a verifiable recent base of 1,200+ construction placements to date across 250+ construction companies. Placements carry a written replacement guarantee.
2. Kimmel & Associates
- Focus: Construction and related-industry executive and professional search.
- Geography: National (Asheville, NC). Founded 1981.
- Model: Retained/professional search.
- Notable: Describes itself as the largest industry-specific search firm in North America and publishes sector compensation reports.
3. Kaye/Bassman (KBIC)
- Focus: Construction and real estate leadership search.
- Geography: National (Texas).
- Model: Retained and engaged.
- Notable: Cites thousands of completed searches across its practices; leadership focus.
4. JRG Partners
- Focus: AEC executive and leadership search.
- Geography: National.
- Model: Retained, with publicly stated fees (typically around 25 to 35 percent).
- Notable: Publishes its retained model and fee structure openly, which is uncommon.
5. Belmont Search
- Focus: Confidential executive search for general contractors, developers, and EPC firms.
- Geography: National.
- Model: Retained, confidential.
- Notable: Positions itself specifically around confidential GC, developer, and EPC leadership searches.
Comparison table
| Firm | Focus / sectors | Geography | Model | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amundson Group | Construction-only exec search: heavy civil, site dev, paving, data center, industrial | National reach, Southeast + Sun Belt density | Retained (+ contingency for non-exec) | Veteran-owned. 1,200+ construction placements to date across 250+ construction companies; written replacement guarantee |
| Kimmel & Associates | Construction + related exec/professional | National (Asheville, NC) | Retained/professional search | Self-described largest industry-specific search firm in N. America |
| Kaye/Bassman (KBIC) | Construction + real estate leadership | National (Texas) | Retained/engaged | Cites thousands of searches; leadership focus |
| JRG Partners | AEC leadership | National | Retained (publishes ~25-35% fees) | Transparent retained fee structure |
| Belmont Search | Confidential GC / developer / EPC search | National | Retained, confidential | Built around confidential leadership search |
Competitor cells reflect each firm’s own public claims and are presented for fair comparison, not endorsement or criticism.
A fair assessment, including generalists
Each named firm is a credible executive-search choice. Kimmel and Kaye/Bassman are established national leadership-search names. JRG Partners is transparent about fees, which is rare. Belmont Search is purpose-built for confidential GC, developer, and EPC searches. Large generalist executive search firms (the global retained brands) are also credible, particularly for the most senior C-suite or board-adjacent roles where brand and board relationships add value. A specialist construction firm usually has the deeper, more current map of operating leaders in a given construction segment and metro. The honest answer depends on the role: brand and board reach versus depth in the construction operating talent pool. AG’s position is the construction-segment depth, veteran ownership, and a confidential process backed by recent placement proof.
FAQ
What is a construction executive search firm?
A firm that recruits senior leadership for construction companies (president, VP of operations, chief estimator, preconstruction director, division leader, and C-suite), usually through a confidential retained search rather than a job posting.
What does construction executive search cost?
As a market norm, retained search typically runs 25 to 33 percent of the executive’s first-year total compensation, billed in installments; some AEC firms publish up to 35 percent.
Why use a retained search instead of contingency for an executive role?
Retained buys dedicated, exclusive, confidential effort and a defined process. Contingency incentivizes speed and volume, which is wrong for a consequential, confidential leadership hire.
How long does a construction executive search take?
Longer than a standard hire, because the pool is small, senior, and approached confidentially. A good firm will set a realistic timeline at intake and report progress against it.
Can you run a confidential search if I am replacing a current executive?
Yes. Confidential replacement searches are a core part of executive search, run discreetly so the incumbent and the market are not tipped off.
Should I use a specialist construction firm or a large generalist executive firm?
For most construction operating-leadership roles, a construction specialist has the deeper, more current talent map. For the most senior C-suite or board-adjacent roles, a large generalist’s brand and board reach can add value. It depends on the role.
Do you place subcontractor and owner-side executives too, or just GCs?
AG places senior leadership across general contractors, subcontractors, and owners and developers.
What guarantee comes with an executive placement?
AG executive placements carry a written replacement guarantee. Ask for the specific terms in writing when you scope the search.
Next step
Hiring a construction executive and need it done confidentially and right? Book a confidential consultation with Amundson Group. We will scope the search, the realistic timeline, and the retained terms for your specific leadership role.