How does RSA’s approach differ from other executive search firms?

Most firms rely heavily on broad networks and generic recruitment practices. RSA has operated exclusively within the Life Sciences sector since 1981 so our networks are unparalleled. Our consultants are industry veterans who understand the technical nuances of your pipeline, allowing them to engage candidates peer-to-peer and validate their specific life science competencies.

What exactly is the “Proof of Candidate” methodology?

It is our proprietary due diligence framework. We do not present candidates based on “gut-feel” or reputation alone. Every shortlist is a comparative, data driven dossier that checks and validates the candidates alignment, execution history, and cultural fit, ensuring your Board can make an evidence-based hiring decision.

What is a typical timeline for a C-Suite or Board-level placement?

While complex searches require rigorous vetting, our global infrastructure allows us to move with urgency. Typically, the longlisting Strategic Blueprinting phase is completed within 2 weeks, with a qualified shortlist presented within 4 to 8 weeks. Final hire decisions are generally secured within 21 days of shortlisting.

Do you handle international searches?

Yes. Roughly 1/3 of our work involves a cross border/continent move. We operate across all major global life science hubs, including London, Boston, The Bay Area, Munich, Berlin, Basel, Shanghai and Singapore. Our model combines local and market intelligence with a truly borderless talent network, enabling us to source the best global talent regardless of geography.

Do you provide support for interim or fractional leadership needs?

Absolutely. Through RSA Interims we provide agile leadership solutions for critical inflection points. Whether you need a transition CEO, a turnaround CFO, or specific leadership to bridge the gap until a permanent appointment is made, we deploy proven operators rapidly to maintain your business velocity

Executive Search

World-Class
Executive Search

Profile Definition

Candidate Assessment

Global Search

Secure C-Suite or Board leadership from a network of 300k+ validated candidates across all sectors of life science

Talk To Us

Learn More

How it Works

9 Weeks to Proof of Candidate

Eliminating risk in the world's most complex industry

Weeks 1-2

Range Finding

Your brief is refined into a precision leadership profile. We map the target company universe and initiate pre-referencing intelligence before any candidate is engaged.

Professional portrait of a female life sciences advisor at The RSA Group.

Remote Candidate
Assessment

•

Brief Refinement

•

Source &
Pre-Referencing
Calls

Weeks 2–3

Global Search Commencement

Our Executive Search Team begins peer-level outreach initiates first candidate contacts across global hubs, culminating in a qualified long-list.

Chief Executive Officer
Boston, MA
Private Equity
Chief Medical Officer
Basel, CH
Biotech
Chief Business Officer
London, UK
Medical Devices
VP, Clinical Development
San Francisco, CA
CDMO
Managing Director
Tokyo, JP
Speciality Pharma
Chair of the Board
Singapore, SG
Oncology

Chief Executive Officer
Boston, MA
Private Equity
Chief Medical Officer
Basel, CH
Biotech
Chief Business Officer
London, UK
Medical Devices
VP, Clinical Development
San Francisco, CA
CDMO
Managing Director
Tokyo, JP
Speciality Pharma
Chair of the Board
Singapore, SG
Oncology

Chief Executive Officer
Boston, MA
Private Equity
Chief Medical Officer
Basel, CH
Biotech
Chief Business Officer
London, UK
Medical Devices
VP, Clinical Development
San Francisco, CA
CDMO
Managing Director
Tokyo, JP
Speciality Pharma
Chair of the Board
Singapore, SG
Oncology

1st Candidate
Contacts
& Interviews

•

Regular
Update Calls

•

Delivery of
Longlist

Weeks 3-6

Rigorous Assessment

We continue the search whilst conducting full competency interviews, psychometric profiling, and confidential referencing — building the evidence base that eliminates subjective hiring risk.

Full Interviews

•

Psychometric
Testing

•

Confidential
Referencing

Weeks 6-7

Shortlist & Client Review

A curated shortlist backed by Proof of Candidate™ data is presented. Client interviews run alongside structured two-way feedback

Shortlist
Discussion
& Delivery

•

Client
Interviews

•

2-Way
Feedback Calls

Weeks 7-9

Final Verification & Hire

RSA manages the close end-to-end — compensation advisory, candidate negotiation, and offer structuring to protect long-term retention.

Formal
Referencing

•

Official
Client Offer

•

Negotiation
Support
& Advice

Proof of Candidate

Evidence-Based Validation

A partner-led, evidence-driven process that replaces recruitment intuition with leadership certainty — from initial brief to confirmed mandate.

96% success rate on placement longevity

Minimum of 5 off-list KOL references

360-degree competency profiling

Regulatory Verification

Inflection Point Profiling

Proof of Candidate

Evidence-Based Validation

A partner-led, evidence-driven process that replaces recruitment intuition with leadership certainty — from initial brief to confirmed mandate.

96% success rate on placement longevity

Minimum of 5 off-list KOL references

360-degree competency profiling

Regulatory Verification

Inflection Point Profiling

Life sciences advisory image representing The RSA Group executive search expertise.

Data-Driven Due Diligence

We replace subjective hiring claims with verified candidate analytics, presenting a quantitative dossier of the candidate's clinical track record, capital-raising history, and operational performance.

100% verified clinical trial delivery history

Independent off-list board & investor references

Therapeutic competency & alignment profiling

Avg. Exit Valuation£0

↑ 12.5%

Clinical Trials Led0

↑ 8.2%

Leadership Equity Impact

906845230

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Data Series 1

Performance Overview

906845230

50658090

Aug

Sep

Nov

Dec

The data visualisations and metrics presented in this section of the page are for illustrative and simulation purposes only. They are intended to demonstrate the depth and analytical rigour of RSA’s proprietary Executive Search Engine™ and the Proof of Candidate™ validation protocol. All figures and performance indicators are mock data. Real-world RSA data dashboards are confidential and strictly purposed for the client's viewing only.

Why We Find
Leaders Others Don't

RSA provides the professional-grade due diligence to identify proven operators that other firms simply cannot access.

Other Firms

"Black-book" Recruiters, Headhunters, Talent Consultants . . .

Sector Focus

Depth of industry specialisation

General recruitment

100% Life Sciences exclusive

Search Logic

How candidates are identified

Intuition & "black-book" networks

Data Driven Due Diligence®

Candidate Validation

Verifying real-world capability

Subjective CV reviews & self-claims

Proof of Candidate™ metrics

Senior Engagement

Consultant involvement in delivery

Sold by partners; run by junior researchers

Senior partner involvement throughout

Network Depth

Access to specialised talent

LinkedIn & passive databases

140,000+ validated sector leaders

Hiring Outcome

Primary objective of search

Internal quotas / Headcount

Client pipeline certainty

De-risking Level

Method for long-term success

Standard replacement guarantees

Strategic Talent Equity® alignment

Consultant Background

Industry experience of search team

Generalist recruiters & HR generalists

Sector specialists with hands-on experience

Talent Outreach

How candidates are engaged

Cold transactional outreach & database matches

Peer-to-peer interactions led by experts

Vetting Depth

Vetting before shortlist presentation

Standard CV reviews & self-reported credentials

Verification of past clinical milestones & regulatory track records

Move past "gut-feel" recruiting. Partner with domain-expert advisors to secure the C-suite and Board leaders required to hit your next milestone.

Case Studies

See Our Most Recent Placements

Discover real case studies on global biotechs, pharma organisations, and investment partners leveraging our search executive search.

Chief Executive Officer

Executive Search

7 Apr 2026

President of the Board

Executive Search

23 Dec 2024

Chief Operating Officer

Executive Search

15 Nov 2024

Chief Executive Officer

Executive Search

7 Apr 2026

President of the Board

Executive Search

23 Dec 2024

World-Class Executive Search