Construction and Specialty Construction

What you’re up against

The Challenge in Construction Leadership

Construction is faster, more integrated, and more risk-intensive than ever. The executives who can run complex, capital-heavy work are scarce — and the ones you want are already leading projects, not looking.

Hidden talent

The leaders worth hiring are running divisions, P&Ls, and major programs — not answering job posts. Reaching them takes a network, not a listing.

The wrong hire

A résumé proves they delivered projects. It doesn’t prove they can hold margin, manage risk, and lead a field-and-office culture under pressure.

Costly turnover

A senior miss stalls projects, rattles crews, and erodes client trust. With retention near 67 percent at two years, the next search starts too soon.

A Top 10 Global Executive Search Firm

Built for Construction

92.5%Search completion rate vs. 67% industry average
90%Two-year retention on the executives we place
40+Years in executive search
60+Offices across 40+ countries

A short list of firms we’ve helped staff

Trusted by Construction firms across North America.

Why TRANSEARCH

Three reasons clients trust us with their hardest searches

Construction leadership searches fail on chemistry, not credentials — the wrong cultural fit derails a strong résumé every time. Here’s how we take that risk off the table.

Partner-led, start to finish

You hire a partner, not a process. The senior partner who takes your brief is the same person who sources candidates, makes the calls, and walks you through every shortlist — no handoff to a junior associate the moment the contract is signed. One accountable owner, from the first conversation to the signed offer.

Honest counsel, even when it costs us

We’ll tell you when a search isn’t ready to launch, when your best candidate is already inside the building, or when the package on the table won’t move the leader you described. We’d rather protect the relationship than bill a search we don’t believe in.

The Orxestra® difference

A résumé shows you a track record. Orxestra®, our proprietary card-sort methodology, shows you fit — culture, performance, leadership, team, and integration. It’s the reason nine in ten of the executives we place are still leading two years on.

Proof, not promises

Recent Placements

Board MemberEnvironmental Consulting Firm
Chief Executive OfficerConstruction Forensics Firm
Chief Executive OfficerGlobal Environmental Consulting Firm
Chief Financial OfficerEngineering Construction Firm
Chief Financial OfficerOperations & Maintenance Firm
Corporate Development ExecutiveSpecialty Construction Firm
Chief Human Resources OfficerConstruction Firm
Chief Operating OfficerConstruction Firm
PresidentConstruction Firm
PresidentEnvironmental Firm

The part nobody screens for

The Fit You Can’t Read Off a Résumé

Our proprietary Orxestra® methodology measures the five things a résumé will never tell you.

01

Culture Fit

How a leader works, decides, and communicates — measured against how your organization actually operates.

02

Performance Fit

The outcomes the role must deliver, and the evidence a candidate can deliver them.

03

Leadership Fit

How a leader builds, motivates, and holds a team — and whether that style suits the moment you’re in.

04

Team Fit

Chemistry with the people around the role — peers, board, and the teams they’ll inherit.

05

Integration

A structured first-100-days plan so a strong hire becomes a successful one, not an expensive miss.

Beyond the interview

We Don’t Guess. We Measure.

Orxestra ®

The Orxestra® tools provide a unique perspective regarding culture, performance, leadership, and team ‘fit’, helping new leaders integrate quickly and successfully.

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Hogan Assessments

With Hogan Assessments, you can be sure that you are hiring candidates that are a good fit for your company culture and will excel in their roles.

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Accountability

How We Work

We take a small number of searches each year. The partner you meet at kickoff is the partner who calls you with shortlist decisions. No handoff to a junior team once the contract is signed.

We measure our work by who is still in the seat two years later. That’s why we’ll tell you when a search is not ready to launch, when an internal candidate is the right answer, or when the role you described will not attract the leader you described.

How We Run a Search

One Partner. One Process. One Accountable Team.

  1. 01Kick Off2 weeks
  2. 02Long List2 weeks
  3. 03Short List3 weeks
  4. 04Interviews & Assessments5 weeks
  5. 05Offer & Integration2 weeks

What People Say

Trusted by leaders worldwide

“The level of quality delivered throughout this process was exceptional. Their “Orxestra” process assisted us in refining and customizing our search criteria. The search was performed quickly and the quality of their screening and assessments resulted in delivering remarkably high quality candidates. TRANSEARCH provided invaluable assistance through the offer and contract negotiations. Our decision was made far easier by the degree of alignment we achieved with help around our key criteria and following a consistent and structured process. We are extremely happy with both the search experience and the positive final outcome .”
Richard BeddoesPrincipal & Lead Director, Golder Associates
“TRANSEARCH is an exceptional resource for strategic hires in the construction and engineering space. Chris Swan has a great network and is a pleasure to work with. He is a straight shooter and focused on our needs, not his personal revenue generation. He is developing an honest and close connection to our firm.”
David ThaelerVice President of Human Resources, Haskell
“Chris possess broad business acumen and extensive industry experience which enables his success in the retained search and executive recruitment business. I have known Chris over the past decade and witnessed his success as a client. Chris provides the driving force and leadership required to source and develop the best candidates from industry.”
Rob JohnstonExecutive Vice President, AECOM
“Chris is a consummate professional , interested and focused on both the Client and prospective employee. In my case, he matched me with a world-class employer, and both parties have benefited from his selection/fit approach. Count Chris in for results!”
John BennettVice President, M.C. Dean, Inc.
“I have the had the pleasure of working with the TRANSERACH team as a candidate for an executive position, and also as a client filling a key spot on my management team. In each case, the team was meticulous in ensuring that there was an excellent fit for the individual and the company. They did a thorough job in understanding the needs of the company and the requirements of the market before presenting a solid slate of candidates. TRANSEARCH'S work was impeccable and I highly recommend them .”
Joe MockusVice President & General Manager, Senior Flexonics
“I have known and worked with Chris Swan and the TRANSEARCH team for many years. He is top-notch in his industry and can always be counted on for follow-through. He is extremely responsive and consultative , whether engaged in an active search or not. He builds relationships and maintains them over the long haul.”
Mike McKelvyPresident & Chief Executive Officer, Gilbane Building Company
“I've worked with John Ryan and the TRANSEARCH team over the past 15 years on numerous executive searches. John's understanding of the Clean Tech, Engineering, and Service space is broad, as evidenced by his years of experience. His attention to detail, knowledge of the industries he serves, and his understanding of the traits that lead to a candidate's success are exemplary. As a result, I expect to work with TRANSEARCH for many years to come.”
Andris CukursCEO, Suzlon

Search is just the start

Solutions

TRANSEARCH is a global executive search firm that helps organizations find world-class leaders to maximize performance and achieve their boldest ambitions.

Search

Identify, hire, and integrate top talent to build the right team.

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Development

Unlock your leaders' full potential and support organizational agility.

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Board Services

Rapidly adapt to changing governance and board effectiveness.

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Assessments

Gain the insights you need to develop high-performing teams.

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Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

What construction leadership roles does TRANSEARCH recruit for?

TRANSEARCH places senior leaders across general contractors, specialty and trade contractors, and construction firms: CEOs and presidents, COOs, division and regional leaders, VPs of operations and preconstruction, CFOs, and board members. These are the executives who hold margin, manage risk, and lead both field and office.

Why is hiring construction executives so difficult?

Construction is faster, more integrated, and more risk-intensive than ever, and the executives who can run complex, capital-heavy work are scarce. The ones you want are already leading divisions, P&Ls, and major programs, not answering job posts. Reaching them takes a network, not a listing.

How does TRANSEARCH assess whether a construction leader will actually perform?

A résumé proves someone delivered projects. It doesn't prove they can hold margin, manage risk, and lead a field-and-office culture under pressure. The Orxestra® Method evaluates fit across performance, leadership, culture, and team, so you select leaders who fit how your business actually runs, not just how their track record reads.

What does a leadership mis-hire cost a construction business?

TRANSEARCH is built to get the hire right the first time. A 92.5% search completion rate and 90% two-year retention on the executives we place keep projects moving, crews steady, and client trust intact, instead of forcing a second search before the first one paid off.

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