Sector Practices
Investment Banking Executive Search
Senior hires for investment banks and advisory firms
Phoenix Search runs retained executive search for global investment banks, mid-market advisory firms and boutique corporate finance houses across London, New York and Dublin. We hire Managing Directors, coverage bankers, product heads and the leaders who run the platform behind them.
Senior bankers are rarely on the market. They carry deferred compensation, client relationships and restrictive covenants, and a move has to be structured with care on both sides. Firms hiring at this level need a search partner who understands franchise portability as well as the brief.
How we run a banking search
We map coverage, not CVs. We map teams by sector, product and geography, so we know who covers the clients you want and who is open to a conversation.
We test franchise portability. Track record, client relationships and how a banker’s business will travel are assessed before anyone reaches your shortlist.
We manage the move. Deferred compensation buyouts, garden leave and regulatory references are planned from the start, for individual hires and team moves alike.
Roles we search for
- Managing Directors and Directors in industry coverage and M&A
- Heads of ECM, DCM and leveraged finance
- Vice Chairmen and senior advisers
- Heads of corporate finance at mid-market and boutique advisory firms
- COOs, CFOs and platform leaders for banks and advisory firms
- Team moves, handled with full confidentiality
Markets: London, New York and Dublin.
Insight: key trends in investment banking and private equity and more in our investment banking insights.
Frequently asked questions
Do you handle team moves?
Yes. We run team hires confidentially and plan the legal, compensation and timing issues with you from day one.
Do you work with boutique and mid-market advisory firms?
Yes, as well as global investment banks. Many of our searches are for advisory firms building out sector or product coverage.
How long does a senior banking search take?
Allow 12 to 16 weeks to an accepted offer. Garden leave for senior bankers is often three to six months, sometimes longer, so plan start dates early.
