Health2Talent
Retained executive search

Executive hiring for life sciences and AI

Retained executive search for the seats that decide what comes next.

Health2Talent runs confidential, retained searches for chief executives and their direct reports in biotech, pharma, health tech and AI. One seat at a time, with the hiring company and the candidate both clear on what was agreed before anyone signs.

Request a mandate How a search runs
I · Mandate

Who we search for

Companies at a turning point: a launch, a clinical readout, a financing round or a new sponsor. The executive hired into that moment carries much of the result, and a wrong hire costs the company time it does not have.

Chief executive

For boards and investors replacing or adding a CEO.

Science and technology

CSO, CTO, heads of clinical development and regulatory affairs.

Commercial

Chief commercial officer, CMO and launch leaders.

Finance and operations

CFO, COO and the operating leaders a growing company adds next.

II · Process

How a search runs

  1. Define the seat

    Before anyone is approached, the board or CEO agrees in writing what the role owns, who it reports to, and what the company will provide.

  2. Direct, confidential outreach

    The search is not advertised. Candidates hear about it in a direct conversation, and the company is named only when both sides are ready.

  3. Shortlist and references

    A short list of candidates who fit the written mandate, with references taken on what each person actually did in the role.

  4. The offer, written down

    Beyond title and total compensation, the commitments that land the hire are put in writing: scope, decision rights, resources, and the first 90 days.

  5. After the start date

    Those commitments go into an Appointment File, and both sides answer on them on set check-in dates.

III · Record

The search does not end at the signature.

Most executive searches stop when the offer is signed. Every Health2Talent search includes an Appointment File, at no separate charge: the written record of what was promised to bring the executive in, with the company's and the executive's answers kept side by side after the start date.

What goes in an Appointment File

  • The role's scope and reporting line, as agreed
  • Decision rights the executive was told they would have
  • Budget, team and resources, and when each arrives
  • What the company expects to see in the first 90 days

The Appointment File runs on Ros by Stability Engine. For how the record works through the first year, see executive onboarding: the first year after hire.

IV · Inquiry

Common questions

What is retained executive search?
A retained search is an exclusive engagement to fill one senior seat. The firm is paid to run the whole search, from defining the role to the signed offer, rather than paid only if one of its candidates is hired.
Which roles does Health2Talent search for?
Chief executives and the leaders who report to them: CTO, CSO, CMO, chief commercial officer, CFO and heads of clinical, regulatory and operations, in biotech, pharma, health tech and AI companies.
Is the search confidential?
Yes. Searches are not advertised. Candidates hear about the seat in a direct conversation, and the company is named only when both sides are ready.
What is the Appointment File?
A written record of what was agreed to land the hire, such as scope, reporting line, resources and decision rights. The company and the executive each answer on set check-in dates after the start, and the record keeps both answers. It is included in every Health2Talent search at no separate charge.
How do I start a search?
Email mandate@health2talent.com with the company, the seat and when it needs to be filled. The first conversation covers the role, the timing and whether a retained search is the right fit.

Bring us the seat.

Tell us the company, the role and the moment it is hiring into.

Request a mandate Common questions