Company lists · Data refreshed September 2026

Top 25 Retained search services based in Chicago, United States

Name: Retained search services based in Chicago, United States
Creator: RevenueBase
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Compiled by the RevenueBase Data Team Data refreshed Sep 21, 2026 335 companies tracked

RevenueBase identified 335 company matches for retained search services associated with Chicago, United States as of September 2026 and tracks 12,888 professional contacts across them, including 5,480 with verified work emails. Across the United States, New York is the largest hub for this category (885 companies); Chicago follows with 335.

This list covers company matches for retained search services associated with Chicago, United States, found by RevenueBase SmartSearch using the meaning of business descriptions in its company graph at Exact. Ranked by professionals tracked, largest first. Rows show recorded descriptions where available, Exact search membership and the snapshot date. Data refreshed September 21, 2026.

Published by RevenueBase, a B2B data infrastructure company. This list was built with RevenueBase SmartSearch, the natural-language company search RevenueBase customers use to build their own targeted lists and unlock verified emails and direct dials at the companies on them. How these lists are built and judged.

How to read this list RevenueBase SmartSearch · Exact Recorded Sep 21, 2026 How this list was built

335Companies

12,888Contacts tracked

5,480Verified emails

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The 25 largest retained search services based in Chicago, United States

Ranked by team size

Top 25 of 335 company matches for retained search services based in Chicago, United States, ordered by professional contacts tracked in RevenueBase, largest first. Recorded Sep 21, 2026. The RevenueBase SmartSearch column shows Exact match membership in this saved search. Click a contact count to view that company's people. Totals use company locations recorded by RevenueBase; the displayed preview is a smaller selection.
#	Company	RevenueBase SmartSearch	Headquarters	Employees	Contacts
1	Heidrick & Struggles	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	1,001-5,000	3,376 contacts →
	Exact match “Heidrick & Struggles is the premier provider of executive search, corporate culture and leadership consulting services.” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
2	Spencer Stuart	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	1,001-5,000	2,889 contacts →
	Exact match Recorded description not available. Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
3	Addison Group	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	1,001-5,000	1,840 contacts →
	Exact match “Addison Group provides comprehensive talent solutions and consulting services across diverse practice areas, including Non-Clinical Healthcare, Information Technology (IT), Human…” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
4	DHR Global	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	501-1,000	656 contacts →
	Exact match “For more than 35 years, DHR has been a leading provider of executive search, leadership consulting and emerging leader search solutions, serving more than 60 markets around the…” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
5	Connect Search, LLC	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	51-200	310 contacts →
	Exact match “Connect Search, LLC is a boutique staffing firm founded by a group of partners who share the same vision and are all recruiters at heart.” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
6	SBI Partners	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	n/a	295 contacts →
	Exact match “SBI Partners is a boutique search firm with 50 years of combined recruitment experience specializing in the placement of Accounting, Finance and Supply Chain professionals.” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
7	The Jacobson Group	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	51-200	251 contacts →
	Exact match “The Jacobson Group is the leading provider of talent to the insurance industry.” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
8	Synectics INC	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	201-500	248 contacts →
	Exact match Recorded description not available. Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
9	Brilliant	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	51-200	162 contacts →
	Exact match “About Brilliant® Brilliant is an award-winning staffing and recruiting firm that provides direct-hire and contract staffing services in accounting, finance, technology, and…” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
10	Hirewell	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	51-200	134 contacts →
	Exact match “Hirewell is a global talent solutions provider that combines domain expert recruiters with modern hiring strategy to deliver people who make a difference.” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
11	Proficientnow, INC	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	51-200	112 contacts →
	Exact match “Proficient Now Inc is a nationwide talent firm located in Lisle, IL.” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
12	Ferguson Partners	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	51-200	106 contacts →
	Exact match “As a global talent management boutique serving all industries and with a strong concentration of real assets, healthcare, hospitality, and private equity clients, Ferguson…” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
13	FELIX	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	51-200	106 contacts →
	Exact match “Felix is a North American-based talent and organizational advisor with over 30 years of successful client engagements.” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
14	Hunt Club	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	51-200	105 contacts →
	Exact match “Hunt Club is an executive search firm for pre- and post-IPO companies, private equity and venture capital firms, and their portfolio business leaders who require access to…” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
15	Harmer	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	51-200	89 contacts →
	Exact match “Founded in 1986, Harmer is a trusted recruiting partner specializing in Accounting, Finance, and Information Technology.” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
16	Slayton Search Partners	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	11-50	80 contacts →
	Exact match “Since our beginning in 1985, Slayton Search Partners' strategy has been to focus on possibilities, not limitations.” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
17	CMC Consultants, INC	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	11-50	65 contacts →
	Exact match “CMC Consultants Inc.” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
18	JBM Recruitment	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	n/a	60 contacts →
	Exact match “Your retained source for executive search!” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
19	Activ8 Recruitment & Solutions	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	51-200	56 contacts →
	Exact match “Career Management” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
20	20 20 Foresight Executive Talent Solutions	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	51-200	54 contacts →
	Exact match “Founded in 1994, 20/20 Foresight is a national executive search and full-service talent advisory firm that specializes in real estate, financial services, and professional…” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
21	Jobplex	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	51-200	48 contacts →
	Exact match “Since 1996, Jobplex has served the emerging leader recruiting market, complementing the senior-level retained executive search services provided by our parent company, DHR Global.” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
22	Piercegray	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	11-50	44 contacts →
	Exact match “As a boutique retained search firm, PierceGray helps clients succeed by finding the right leaders.” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
23	Talentfoot Executive Search	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	11-50	40 contacts →
	Exact match “Recruit Forward-Thinking Leaders who Accelerate Growth, Unlock Innovation, and Boost Profitability.” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
24	North Bridge Staffing Group	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	51-200	37 contacts →
	Exact match “North Bridge Staffing was established in 2002 by Gerrie and Pat Dugan, who believed there was a need to provide customized talent solutions to clients, associates, and candidates.” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase
25	BCI	Exact match	Chicago, IL, United StatesHQ recorded Sep 21, 2026	11-50	35 contacts →
	Exact match “BCI is a boutique recruiting firm that has served the financial services industry nationwide for more than 25 years.” Recorded in the RevenueBase company graph · Sep 21, 2026 · View company records in RevenueBase

RevenueBase SmartSearch

Describe a niche business in your own words. RevenueBase SmartSearch compares the meaning of your description with company business descriptions compiled in the RevenueBase company graph. Exact, Similar, Related and Broad control how closely companies must fit.

This list uses Exact for “retained search services”. Each Exact match badge shows membership in that saved search; it is not an individual similarity score or a service-quality rating. Recorded descriptions are shown where available.

Showing 25 of 335 retained search services based in Chicago, United States

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Retained search services based in Chicago, United States at a glance

As of Sep 21, 2026

42.5%Verified-email coverage

38.5Average contacts per company

1-10Median size (employees)

Sep 21, 2026Page data refreshed

Companies by employee count

1-10

220

11-50

51-200

201-500

501-1,000

1,001-5,000

Email recency for this list is measured across the whole United States list rather than for Chicago, so it is reported there. Company counts and contact totals on this page are exact for Chicago, over 335 companies.

How this list was built

The recorded descriptions help you assess these company matches. Check a company’s website for its current services and locations.

Source: The RevenueBase company graph: 60 million companies and 398.9 million professional contacts resolved from primary sources, queried with RevenueBase SmartSearch, the natural-language company search available to every RevenueBase user.
What qualifies: Company records associated with Chicago, United States whose business descriptions match “retained search services” by meaning at the Exact setting. Descriptions are compiled in the RevenueBase company graph from public websites, profiles and company information where available; they are not guaranteed quotations from the company's website.
RevenueBase SmartSearch: Describe a niche company in your own words to find businesses by meaning. Exact, Similar, Related and Broad control the breadth of RevenueBase SmartSearch. This saved list uses Exact. Each row's Exact match badge shows inclusion in that search, not an individual score or a service-quality judgment.
Public preview: The public preview omits records without a verified work email. Where headquarters information is recorded, preview rows are also filtered to this page’s location. Dataset totals and geographic summaries describe the full matched records before these preview filters.
Match quality: RevenueBase's August 25, 2026 study assessed 4,198 description/company pairs across matching settings. The publisher reports 86% good or better at Exact. This evaluates the method across queries; it does not audit this individual list. Recorded company descriptions, where available, help you judge each match yourself. Read the full methodology: how the lists are built and what the study measures.
Ranking: Team size, largest first: companies are ordered by the number of professionals RevenueBase tracks at each one. Employee ranges shown are reported bands, for context.
Verification: Every displayed company carries at least one verified work email. RevenueBase tracks 5,480 professional contacts with verified work emails across the full matched dataset. Contacts re-verify on a rolling cadence, and each contact's own verification date is shown inside RevenueBase.
Refresh: This page's figures were pulled from the company graph on September 21, 2026. Lists refresh periodically as the graph is re-checked.
Record context: Company records and descriptions can change. Check the company's website for its current services and locations.

Retained search services by metro in the United States

Frequently asked

What is RevenueBase SmartSearch?

RevenueBase SmartSearch finds niche companies by the meaning of their business descriptions in the RevenueBase company graph. Exact, Similar, Related and Broad control how closely companies must fit your description. This list uses Exact for “retained search services”; each Exact match badge shows search membership, not an individual similarity or quality score.

How many retained search services are there based in Chicago, United States?

RevenueBase identified 335 company matches for retained search services associated with Chicago, United States as of September 2026, using the meaning of business descriptions at Exact. This is the recorded matched set in the RevenueBase company graph.

What is the largest company on this list?

Heidrick & Struggles tops the displayed preview by professional contacts tracked in RevenueBase. Recorded headquarters appear in the company rows.

Which city in the United States has the most retained search services?

New York leads the United States with 885 company records, followed by Chicago (335) and Atlanta (288).

How do I get contact information for these companies?

A free RevenueBase account lets you run this exact search and work limited free results with 500 credits to start. Upgrading provides access to the 5,480 professional contacts with verified work emails tracked across these 335 companies; direct dials are available where recorded.

How current is this list?

The list refreshes periodically as the company graph is re-checked. This page's figures were pulled on September 21, 2026.

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About this data

RevenueBase is a B2B data infrastructure company. Its company graph covers 60 million companies and 398.9 million professional contacts, with emails verified on a rolling cadence rather than scraped once and left to decay. These company lists are generated directly from that graph with RevenueBase SmartSearch, the same natural-language company search every RevenueBase user has: describe a market in plain words, get the companies that match, and add verified emails and direct dials for the people at them. It is the same data that powers RevenueBase's B2B data products, and a free account includes 500 credits to start. How these lists are built and judged.