Precision over volume
Average time to offer: 18 days. We present a considered shortlist of 3-5 candidates, not an inbox of resumes. Every CV is vetted, referenced, and matched against the brief we built with you.
For Employers
Hire the candidates who will shape your next chapter.
We don't send you 300 CVs and call it a shortlist. Velare runs precise, consultant-led searches for businesses that treat a hiring decision as a strategic one.
Why Velare
Six reasons clients stay with us.
Sector depth
Our consultants have operated inside the industries they recruit for. They know the players, the packages, and the reasons a great candidate says yes — or no.
Long-term fit
94% retention after 12 months. We measure success by what happens a year after an offer is accepted, not the day it was signed. A hire that leaves in six months costs you more than the fee.
Discretion
Most of our best mandates never reach a job board. Confidential successions, replacing incumbents, market-sensitive hires — we run under NDA with a controlled, personal approach. Your brand stays protected until shortlist.
Transparency
Weekly written updates, a published market map at Week 3, and a pre-agreed timeline. You always know who we're talking to, what they're saying, and what happens next. No black-box process.
Partnership model
Clients stay with us for years because we treat every engagement as the start of a relationship. We re-invest in understanding your business; you stop re-briefing. 70% of our retained mandates come from repeat clients.
What to Expect
What working with Velare actually looks like.
Clear milestones, weekly rhythm, and a single partner accountable throughout. No black-box; no hand-offs to junior researchers.
01
Kickoff call within 48 hours
A Velare partner and your leadership team meet to scope the role, the success criteria, and the compensation framework. You get a written brief to sign off — your committed timeline starts only once you approve.
02
Weekly progress reports
Every Monday, a written update lands in your inbox: candidates approached, feedback received, shortlist quality indicators, and any market signals worth knowing. No chasing us for status.
03
Shortlist with written evaluations
3–5 finalists, each with a written evaluation covering motivation, fit-to-brief, reference insights, and compensation context. You interview; we coordinate logistics and panel scheduling.
04
Offer & 90-day review
We facilitate offer negotiation, provide resignation coaching, and check in at 30/60/90 days post-hire. Replacement guarantee if it doesn't work out — no additional fee, no drama.
Engagement Models
Pick the model that fits the mandate.
Not every role needs a retained search, and not every hire can be left to contingency. We'll advise you honestly on which model fits.
Retained Search
Exclusive, consultant-led mandates for C-suite, board, and specialist roles where confidentiality and candidate quality are non-negotiable.
- Dedicated consultant + research team
- Three-stage retainer (engage / shortlist / placement)
- 12-month replacement guarantee
- Weekly progress reports & market map
Contingent Recruitment
Pay-on-placement model for mid-to-senior permanent hires. Faster engagement, no upfront commitment, results-based pricing.
- No fee until a candidate starts
- Typically 3-6 shortlisted candidates
- 90-day replacement guarantee
- Fee: 15–22% of first-year salary
Embedded / Interim
Recruitment-as-a-service. We become your talent team for a project, growth phase, or quarterly push. Fixed monthly fee; unlimited roles within scope.
- Dedicated consultant, your branding
- 1 to 6 month engagements
- Works alongside in-house HR
- Fixed monthly fee — no per-placement cost
Frequently Asked
Questions clients ask before engaging.
What does a retained search engagement cost?
Retained search fees are a percentage of the first-year total compensation package — typically 28-33% for C-suite and 22-28% for director-level. Split across three milestones: engagement, shortlist, placement. Exact terms are scoped in our proposal.
How long does a typical C-suite search take?
10-14 weeks from kickoff to signed offer for a fully retained search is our norm. Specialist or geographically difficult mandates can run 16-20 weeks. We commit to a timeline in writing at the discovery stage.
Do you offer a placement guarantee?
Retained: 12-month replacement guarantee. Contingent: 90-day replacement guarantee. If a candidate leaves or is terminated within the window, we re-run the search at no additional fee.
How do you handle confidentiality?
Most of our senior searches run confidentially. We approach candidates under NDA, never disclose your company name in market outreach until a shortlist stage, and can run through a dedicated search entity if needed.
Can you work across jurisdictions in the GCC?
Yes. Velare is licensed in the UAE and works across the GCC, with active placements in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait. For wider MENA or APAC mandates we partner with vetted local firms.
Which industries do you cover?
Fifteen specialisations: Manufacturing, Retail, Construction, Food & Beverage, BPO, Oil & Gas, FMCG, IT & Cyber, Banking & Financial, Healthcare & Medical, Telecommunications, Logistics, Insurance, Call Center, and Aeronautic & Aviation. For mandates outside these, we'll honestly tell you if we're the right firm — and if not, refer you to someone who is.
Start a Search
Tell us about the role.
Short intake below. A Velare partner responds within one working day with a proposed engagement model and timeline.