Retained Search Recruitment

Retained Search Recruitment for HVAC & FM

A strategic recruitment model for critical and high-impact hires

Retained search recruitment is designed for organisations that need certainty, quality, and consistency when hiring key Facilities Management and HVAC professionals. Rather than competing with multiple agencies, a retained approach gives you a dedicated recruitment partner aligned with your long-term hiring objectives.

At HVAC Recruitment, our retained search recruitment services support businesses that require a proactive, structured, and outcome-focused hiring strategy.

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WHAT IS RETAINED SEARCH RECRUITMENT?

Retained search recruitment is a partnership-led hiring model where we work exclusively with your organisation to plan, source, and deliver talent aligned to your operational needs and company culture.

Unlike contingent recruitment, retained search allows us to:

• act as an embedded extension of your business

• proactively identify and engage talent

• provide full visibility and control across the hiring process

This model is particularly effective for senior, specialist, or hard-to-fill FM and HVAC roles.

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HOW OUR RETAINED SEARCH RECRUITMENT MODEL WORKS

1. Discovery & Workforce Planning

We begin by understanding your organisation, contract requirements, site environments, and long-term workforce strategy. This ensures the recruitment process aligns with both immediate needs and future growth.

2. Market Mapping & Talent Identification

Using proactive headhunting and talent mapping, we identify high-quality candidates who are not actively applying for roles. This widens the talent pool beyond job boards and traditional advertising.

3. Engagement, Assessment & Shortlisting

Candidates are approached discreetly, assessed thoroughly, and aligned against both technical and cultural requirements before being presented.

4. Delivery, Reporting & Optimisation

We manage the full recruitment lifecycle, providing clear reporting, faster time-to-hire, and improved hiring outcomes while reducing overall recruitment spend.

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WHY CHOOSE A RETAINED RECRUITMENT MODEL?

For many FM and HVAC organisations, retained recruitment offers clear advantages over reactive or contingent hiring:

• Reduced time-to-hire

• Higher-quality candidate shortlists

• Improved retention and cultural alignment

• Greater cost control and reduced agency duplication

• Consistent employer messaging across all hires

Retained search recruitment provides a scalable, efficient solution for organisations hiring at volume or across multiple locations.

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RETAINED EXECUTIVE SEARCH FOR SENIOR FM ROLES

For leadership and senior appointments, our retained search recruitment model is often delivered as a retained executive search solution.

This approach is commonly used for:

• Heads of Facilities Management

• FM Directors

• Senior Engineering Managers

• Regional and strategic leadership roles

Our retained executive search capability is fully integrated within our retained recruitment service, ensuring discretion, market coverage, and alignment at senior level.

Learn more about our Executive Search in Facilities Management& Senior Management Recruitment Services

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PROVEN RESULTS THROUGH RETAINED SEARCH RECRUITMENT

We’ve successfully delivered retained recruitment programmes across the Facilities Management and HVAC sectors, supporting clients with engineers, managers, and operational support roles at scale.

One national FM provider partnered with us on a retained basis and achieved 29 hires in 21 weeks, while reducing overall recruitment spend and eliminating agency duplication.

This outcome demonstrates how retained search recruitment can deliver both quality and efficiency in a competitive talent market.

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IS RETAINED SEARCH RECRUITMENT RIGHT FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

A retained recruitment model may be the right fit if you:

• hire regularly across multiple sites or contracts

• struggle to attract high-quality FM or HVAC professionals

• require senior or specialist hires

• want greater visibility and control over recruitment

• are looking for a long-term recruitment partner rather than transactional CV supply

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SPEAK TO A RETAINED SEARCH RECRUITMENT SPECIALIST

If you’re considering a retained search recruitment model, our team can advise whether it’s the right approach for your organisation.

Call us on 0208 092 6500 or complete the form below and a specialist consultant will be in touch.

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FAQ'S – RETAINED SEARCH RECRUITMENT

What is retained search recruitment?

Retained search recruitment is an exclusive recruitment model where an organisation partners with a recruitment agency to proactively source and deliver talent. The agency works as a strategic partner rather than competing with other suppliers.

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How is retained search different from contingent recruitment?

Contingent recruitment is typically reactive and transactional, with multiple agencies competing to fill a role. Retained search is proactive, structured, and exclusive, allowing for better candidate quality, faster delivery, and improved hiring outcomes.

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When should a business use retained search recruitment?

Retained search recruitment is best suited to senior, specialist, or hard-to-fill roles, high-volume hiring programmes, or organisations looking to reduce recruitment spend and improve long-term retention.

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Is retained search only for executive roles?

No. While retained search is often used for executive and senior management positions, it is also highly effective for multi-hire programmes, specialist engineering roles, and critical operational positions.

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How does retained search reduce recruitment costs?

By centralising hiring through a single recruitment partner, retained search reduces agency duplication, shortens time-to-hire, and improves retention — all of which lower overall recruitment spend over time.

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Do you provide retained executive search for Facilities Management?

Yes. Our retained search recruitment service includes retained executive search for senior FM and leadership roles. Learn more on our Executive Search in Facilities Management page.

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How long does a retained search recruitment campaign take?

Timelines vary depending on role complexity and volume, but retained search typically delivers faster and more consistent results than contingent recruitment due to proactive sourcing and clear planning.