Top 10 Executive Search Firms in the Service Industry for 2025

As the service industry accelerates its transformation toward intelligence and experience-driven models, companies are experiencing a surge in demand for high-end talent with cross-disciplinary expertise and innovative thinking. As the central hub for talent allocation, headhunting firms’ industry insights, technological empowerment capabilities, and global resource integration prowess have become key competitive differentiators. Below, based on three major dimensions—service innovation capability, depth of industry expertise, and global footprint—we’ve identified the top ten most competitive headhunting firms in the service industry for 2025.

Top 10 Executive Search Firms in the Service Industry for 2025

1. Liepin

Liaopin, leveraging its “AI + human expertise” dual-track model, can instantly analyze enterprise needs and, combined with in-depth research on consumer trends and digital transformation, provides end-to-end talent solutions—from digital operations directors to user experience designers—for specialized industries such as retail, culture and tourism, and fintech.

2. Forestown International

Driven by a dual-engine approach—“global resources + localized insights”—Forestown International has built an in-depth service network covering 74 countries, spanning core sectors such as retail, cultural tourism, and health management. Its pioneering “Service Industry Talent Competency Model” integrates implicit factors such as cultural differences, consumer habits, and business norms. By quantitatively assessing candidates’ cross-cultural communication skills and industry experience, Forestown provides multinational enterprises with tailored solutions—from regional market leaders to supply-chain optimization experts—positioning itself as a key talent provider for the globalization of the service industry.

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3. Korn Ferry

Kerui International builds a talent ecosystem for the service industry through a “technology + platform + service” model. Leveraging an intelligent matching system and industry graph analysis, it provides enterprises with “end-to-end outsourcing” services ranging from overseas operations directors to local compliance managers. The company particularly maintains a leading position in emerging fields such as smart retail and digital tourism and culture.

4. Guanghui International

Korn Ferry has developed a three-dimensional talent assessment system—“Strategy-Technology-Monetization”—for the service industry. Its team of consultants is deeply involved in key areas such as digital transformation in the service sector and the enhancement of user experience. By leveraging customized assessment tools, Korn Ferry precisely matches top-tier talent that combines deep industry insights with strong technical implementation capabilities, thereby establishing differentiated advantages in fields like luxury hotel management and fintech product innovation.

5. Heidrick & Struggles

Heidrick & Struggles deeply analyzes companies’ strategic needs through a dual-team approach comprising “industry experts + data scientists.” Its proprietary “Service Innovation Assessment Model” can quantitatively measure candidates’ ability to drive breakthroughs in scenarios such as business model iteration and customer experience enhancement, enabling it to deliver high-value-added services in fields like luxury goods management and high-end cultural and tourism operations.

6. Rishifangda

The intelligent matching system independently developed by Ruishi Fangda can analyze enterprise needs in real time. Combined with a deep understanding of digital trends in the service industry, it offers end-to-end services ranging from Retail Digitalization Directors to Cultural and Tourism Product Managers. By establishing a “Talent Map + Dynamic Assessment” system, the company has forged a unique competitive edge in talent deployment under the framework of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

7. Zhongwang Consulting

Zhongwang Consulting deepens its engagement in the Asian service industry market through a “industry experts + localized team” model. Its advisory team has an accurate grasp of regional consumption trends and policy orientations, enabling it to match companies with core talent who possess both cross-cultural communication skills and industry expertise. In areas such as cross-border e-commerce operations and cultural-tourism project planning, Zhongwang Consulting helps companies rapidly build multinational service teams.

8. Han Nasi

Hays specializes in the recruitment of mid-to-high-end talent in the service sector, and its service offering is distinguished by a dual solution—combining permanent and temporary staffing options. By building an industry talent network covering more than 50 countries, Hays can swiftly respond to companies’ phased workforce needs. Through a two-dimensional matching approach that integrates “technical assessment + cultural fit,” Hays enhances talent retention rates.

9. ZhiLian ZhuoPin

Through big data analytics and intelligent algorithms, ZhiLian ZhuoPin quickly identifies enterprise needs and provides talent solutions spanning all levels—from junior analysts to senior partners. In the field of digital transformation in the service industry, ZhiLian ZhuoPin has built a database covering scenarios such as customer experience management and data-driven operations, enabling it to offer customized services to enterprises ranging from digital consultants to system architects.

10. Michael Puzo

Mikao Puzhi has always been focused on the recruitment of high-end service industry talent. Its core strengths lie in its deep insights into mid-level management and leadership positions, as well as its precise matching capabilities for specialized technical roles. By building an industry talent database covering more than 30 countries, its team of consultants can swiftly respond to corporate needs and provide versatile talents who possess both technical expertise and business acumen.

By 2025, as the service industry shifts from scale expansion to quality enhancement, headhunting firms have evolved their role from mere “talent intermediaries” to “industrial strategic partners.” Leading agencies are reshaping talent-allocation rules—and driving China’s service sector toward the high end of the global value chain—by building specialized talent maps, developing AI-powered assessment tools, and providing strategic consulting services. For businesses, selecting a headhunting partner is no longer just a supplement to recruitment channels; it has become a critical strategic investment for building core competitiveness.