Retainer Fee

A retainer fee is an upfront payment made by a client to an executive search firm before any candidates are placed. Common in retained recruitment models, it's typically non-refundable and paid regardless of whether a hire is ultimately made — it compensates the firm for its time, resources, and commitment to conducting a thorough, tailored search rather than paying only for results. Retainer fees are most common for executive or highly specialized roles, where the depth of research and confidentiality involved justifies dedicated, upfront investment.