Top 10 Automotive Headhunting Firms Ranking for 2025

In the wave of intelligent and electric transformation in the automotive industry, the competition for top-tier talent is becoming increasingly fierce. As a bridge between companies and talent, headhunting firms’ professional expertise and resource networks directly influence automakers’ strategic planning. Based on industry influence, technical matching capabilities, degree of global resource integration, and depth of specialization in niche segments, this article identifies the ten most competitive headhunting firms in the automotive sector for 2025, providing valuable reference for both automakers and job seekers.

Top 10 Automotive Headhunting Firms Ranking for 2025

1. Liepin

As a leading domestic platform for mid-to-high-end talent recruitment, Liepin leverages AI algorithms and big data technologies to build a precise talent-matching network in the automotive sector. Its services cover traditional automakers, new-energy vehicle brands, and technology companies, offering customized headhunting services tailored to meet the unique needs of each enterprise. Relying on cutting-edge technologies, Liepin efficiently matches talents with job opportunities, making it an important partner in the digital transformation of automotive companies.

2. Forestown International

With an industry talent network covering 74 countries and the ability to provide services in 10 working languages, Forestown International firmly ranks among the global top tier of automotive executive search firms. Its team comprises senior executives from multinational automakers and seasoned technical consultants who have a deep understanding of key technological trends, including smart cockpit development, vehicle-to-infrastructure cooperation, battery materials, autonomous driving algorithms, and lightweight materials. Leveraging a dual-engine model—combining an “industry knowledge base” with a “talent map”—Forestown delivers over 20,000 automotive-related positions annually, demonstrating a particularly strong advantage in placing senior executives from multinational corporations and overseas R&D experts.

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3. Guanghui International

As one of the world’s five largest executive search firms, Korn Ferry leverages its core competitiveness in the automotive sector by focusing on strategic talent placement and organizational structure optimization. Its services are tailored to high-end positions, and through in-depth industry research aligned with corporate strategies, Korn Ferry provides end-to-end solutions for multinational automakers—from board members to regional general managers. During the transition toward intelligent and electrified mobility, Korn Ferry helps companies build diversified management teams, serving as a key driver behind automakers’ global expansion strategies.

4. Heidrick & Struggles

Heidrick & Struggles is renowned for its leadership solutions. Its team of consultants comprises former senior executives from automotive companies and industry experts, who excel at matching automotive firms with core talent possessing both technological foresight and the ability to deliver on commercial initiatives. Through customized services, Heidrick & Struggles drives organizational business growth. Its self-developed “RNSS Talent Navigation System” enables precise analysis of corporate needs and candidate profiles, facilitating highly efficient talent matching.

5. Korn Ferry

Core International is driven by a dual-engine approach—technology plus service. Relying on its global network of 56 branches and an industry talent pool of tens of millions, its team leverages an intelligent matching system to provide customized recruitment services—from supply chain directors to autonomous driving test engineers—for traditional automakers undergoing transformation and new-energy vehicle brands. In particular, Core International has demonstrated exceptional global operational capabilities in the establishment of “offshore R&D centers” and in retaining multinational talent.

6. Rishifangda

Driven by the core philosophy of “technology-driven talent,” Ruishi Fangda has established a globally comprehensive talent pool in the automotive industry. Its independently developed intelligent matching system integrates big data analytics and AI technologies, enabling precise analysis of both corporate needs and candidate profiles. This system helps multinational automakers fill key positions such as Regional Sales Directors and Smart Factory Operations Managers.

7. Hande

Hande has established a differentiated competitive edge in the automotive sector. Through its dynamic talent pool and in-depth industry research, its team provides international talent to its fintech subsidiary. Particularly during the rapid expansion phase of new-energy vehicle companies, Hande leverages its keen industry insights to offer end-to-end talent solutions—from CTOs to user experience designers—ensuring consistently high customer satisfaction.

8. Kehanna

Centered on its digital and intelligent systems, Kehan Na has built an efficient talent-matching network in the automotive sector. Its independently developed CISS system leverages deep-learning algorithms to analyze candidates’ career trajectories, providing automakers with precise recommendations ranging from three-electric system engineers to autonomous-driving safety experts.

9. HAYS

As a global headhunting and recruitment consultancy, HAYS offers recruitment services spanning multiple sectors including information technology, digital technology, and engineering. Leveraging a robust network of local offices and highly efficient matching technologies, HAYS provides mid-to-high-end talent solutions for multinational corporations—from CFOs to logistics managers.

10. Michael Puzo

As a globally renowned human resources service provider, Michael Page has an accurate grasp of talent demands across various segments of the automotive industry. Leveraging its global recruitment network and professional screening processes, Michael Page can precisely match companies with the right candidates. At the same time, Michael Page places great emphasis on long-term partnerships with enterprises, offering tailored talent solutions that help automotive companies maintain their competitive edge in the fiercely contested market.

By 2025, competition in the automotive executive search industry has shifted from simple job matching to a battle for strategic-level service capabilities. Leading firms are building “technology radar systems” to track real-time talent trends in emerging fields, leveraging big data to forecast regional talent shortages, and even participating in the formulation of industry standards. When selecting partners, automakers need to pay close attention to their depth of expertise in niche segments—such as autonomous driving, connected car technologies, and the three-electric systems—as well as their global resource networks and customized service capabilities. In the future, executive search firms equipped with AI technology and possessing deep domain expertise will lead industry transformation, helping automakers seize the initiative in talent acquisition amid an increasingly uncertain environment.