Table of Contents
Quick Summary
- Executive outplacement is different from standard outplacement programs. Most C-suite and senior leadership roles are filled through professional networks and direct relationships, not job boards.
- This article explains what executive outplacement should include, what HR leaders should ask before choosing a provider, and which firms are best for senior career transitions.
- WeAreCareer is ranked first because it combines active job search support with 1:1 coaching, outreach to recruiters and hiring managers, and clear pricing.
- Whether you are managing one C-suite departure or making changes across your senior leadership team, this guide can help you choose the right provider with confidence.
A survey of executives found that one-third secured their most recent role through personal or professional connections, while the rest expect to rely on their network for their next move. This is why executive outplacement needs to go beyond job boards and resume support. Senior leaders need help with positioning, recruiter relationships, and targeted outreach.
That is why executive outplacement needs to offer more than a standard program. Still, most companies give senior leaders the same outplacement support they give other employees.
The executive feels frustrated and discouraged, with no real progress toward their next role. The issue is not a lack of skills. The issue is that the outplacement support was not designed for an executive job search.
What Good Executive Outplacement Must Include
Executive outplacement is built around personal, 1:1 support. Leaders receive career coaching, job search guidance, resume and LinkedIn support, and access to valuable professional networks.
Beyond the basics, a strong executive program offers more than just a higher price tag:
A coach with actual executive-level experience
Executive participants should work with a coach who understands their level, industry, and career goals. The coach should be able to discuss leadership, strategy, and next steps as a peer. A coach who mainly works with professionals may not be the right fit for a departing Chief Revenue Officer or retiring Division President.
Most executive roles are never publicly posted
At the VP level and above, many opportunities are identified and filled through professional networks, direct outreach, and executive search before they appear on public job boards.
Support for non-traditional next steps
Not every executive wants another leadership role. Some may want to join a board, become an advisor, work with private equity firms, start consulting, or build their own business. These paths need different support than a traditional job search.
Offer strategy and negotiation support
Senior roles often come with complex pay, equity, and benefits packages. Executive outplacement should help them understand job offers, negotiate with confidence, and avoid problems that could affect their success.
Provider-by-Provider Breakdown
1. WeAreCareer
WeAreCareer is an outplacement and career coaching firm based in New York that gives employees a dedicated team to actively manage their job search. It is a good option for managers, directors, VPs, and professionals in tech sales or go-to-market roles who want support instead of a self-serve platform.
For executives and senior leaders, the team does more than update resumes and LinkedIn profiles. WeAreCareer also apply to selected roles and contact recruiters and hiring managers at target companies. This saves time and helps executives get interviews faster.
Key Offerings
- Full executive resume rewrite and LinkedIn profile optimization
- Active job applications submitted on the executive's behalf
- Direct outreach to recruiters and hiring managers at target companies
- Interview preparation and complex compensation negotiation support
- Dedicated account manager and employer-facing progress reports
WeAreCareer Pricing
- Bronze: $1,500 (Analyst, Associate, Engineer)
- Silver: $2,700 (Manager, Team lead, Senior IC)
- Gold: $3,900 (HoD, Director, VP, C-suite)
WeAreCareer Review
Read WeAreCareer B2B Outplacement Case Studies here.
Review - These guys know everything that goes on in the job market and how to position someone to get results.
2. Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry is best known for executive search, but it also offers outplacement services for senior leaders. It is a strong option for CEO, CFO, and SVP transitions because it understands the executive job market.
Its global network gives departing executives access to valuable relationships and introductions that are not available through a typical online platform.
Their program is built around the fact that executive roles are usually filled through relationships, not job applications. Executives work with experienced coaches who understand senior leadership roles. The program also includes leadership assessments, skills development resources, and support after the executive starts their new role.
Key Offerings
- Executive-level coaching with senior, matched practitioners
- Resume, executive bio, and personal brand development
- Internal mobility consulting before external search begins
- Leadership and career assessments tailored to executive profiles
- Board placement support for C-suite transitions
- Upskilling and reskilling resources through a 3,000+ course library
Korn Ferry Price
You have to contact them to get, quotes specific to your requirements.
Korn Ferry Review
Review - Korn Ferry is the go to personal agency for temp work.
3. Challenger, Gray & Christmas
Executive outplacement gives senior leaders personalized support during a career transition. Such job searches often take longer and depend heavily on professional relationships and reputation, not just qualifications. Challenger, Gray & Christmas has provided this type of support since the 1960s, making it one of the most experienced firms in executive outplacement.
Their program includes 1:1 meetings with an advisor who understands executive career changes. It also helps create executive resumes, professional bios, and LinkedIn profiles for C-suite roles. Executives also get support preparing for conversations with boards, search firms, and other senior decision makers.
Key Offerings
- 1-on-1 coaching with senior advisors who have executive-level experience
- Executive resume, bio, and LinkedIn profile development
- Interview preparation for board, search firm, and senior stakeholder conversations
- Offer strategy and complex compensation negotiation guidance
- Support for non-traditional paths, including board roles, consulting, and advisory work
Challenger, Gray & Christmas Price
They don't publish their pricing.
Challenger, Gray & Christmas Review
Review - Great company full of caring individuals. True job search experts! Each individual who works there truly goes out of their way to help.
4. Right Management
The value of an outplacement program at the executive level is not in the platform's job matching algorithm or its library of resume templates. It is in the quality of the coaching relationship, the depth of the career strategy work, and the access to genuine employer and board connections. Right Management has built its executive program around that principle since the 1980s.
As part of ManpowerGroup, Right Management gives executives access to a large network of employers along with dedicated executive coaching. Its RightConnect network can connect leaders directly with hiring decision makers and board contacts, offering support that goes beyond online job platforms.
Key Offerings
- Senior, matched coaches with backgrounds in organizational leadership and executive search
- Executive resume, LinkedIn, and personal brand development
- RightConnect network for direct employer and board introductions
- Executive positioning, leadership assessments, and career strategy development
- Support for board service, consulting, and non-traditional next steps
- Employer-facing analytics and program reporting
Right Management Pricing
They have publicly provided their pricing.
Right Management Review
Review - Right management helped me get back on my feet by giving me the confidence I needed at each step. They helped with Resume tweaking to optimize against ATS platforms, LinkedIn profile enhancement, interviews and negotiation tips.
5. Lee Hecht Harrison
LHH is part of The Adecco Group, a large global workforce solutions company. It offers flexible outplacement programs through its Career Studio platform. For senior leaders, LHH has a global network of 4,000 coaches and more than 60 years of experience, allowing it to support executives across different countries and industries.
Its Active Placement approach can reduce the time it takes to find a new role by up to 65 percent. The program includes introductions to relevant employers and matched job opportunities, along with coaching and platform access. For global companies managing executive departures in several countries, LHH can provide consistent support across locations.
Key Offerings
- 1-on-1 career coaching with certified coaches across 60 countries
- Executive resume writing and LinkedIn profile development
- Active Placement approach with employer introductions and curated leads
- Executive and leadership transition coaching programs
- Interview preparation and offer negotiation support
Lee Hecht Harrison Price
- Job Search Essentials: $2400 for 3 months
- Professional Outplacement: $5400 for 3 months
- Signature 1:1 Coaching: $11310 for 3 months
Lee Hecht Harrison Review
Review - I started my new role as a Senior PM, and I truly couldn't have gotten there the same way without her. If you get Lindsey as your counselor, you're in great hands since she's the best!!!
Final Take: Matching the Provider to the Transition
The right choice is not simply the provider with the best name or the most experience. It is the provider that best fits the executive’s specific career transition.
Outplacement programs give executives advice, tools, and coaching, then leave them to run the search on their own. WeAreCareer takes on more of the work by helping with applications, recruiter outreach, and job search management. This makes it a strong choice for companies that want their departing senior leaders to receive active support, not just guidance.
For companies that want to give departing leaders support, WeAreCareer will truly value and help them find their next role, not just complete an outplacement program.
