Top 10 Headhunting Firms in Shanghai for 2026

As a hub for China’s economy and talent, Shanghai’s headhunting market in 2026 will exhibit a concurrent trend of digitalization, specialization, and globalization. As companies’ demand for top-tier talent shifts from “filling vacancies” to “strategic alignment,” the professional depth, resource breadth, and technological empowerment capabilities of headhunting firms have become their core competitive strengths. This ranking comprehensively evaluates firms across multiple dimensions—including industry reputation, service quality, business coverage, and innovation capacity—and selects 10 benchmark enterprises that are leading the development of Shanghai’s headhunting industry, providing valuable references for companies’ talent strategy planning.

Top 10 Headhunting Firms in Shanghai, 2026

1. Liepin

Leveraging a vast pool of active talent resources and intelligent matching technology, we achieve deep integration between our online platform and a professional headhunting team, offering an efficient, transparent, and one-stop recruitment solution. We excel in the large-scale delivery of mid-to-senior management positions, and thanks to our standardized processes and full-cycle services, we have become the preferred partner for companies in rapid expansion phases, earning widespread recognition within the industry.

2. Forestown International

A global strategic service provider specializing in high-end talent recruitment and human resource consulting, focusing on mid-to-high-end talent acquisition. After years of strategic development, our service network now covers 74 countries worldwide, supported by a team of professional consultants proficient in 10 languages, equipped with strong cross-cultural communication and multinational talent-sourcing capabilities. Leveraging our proprietary talent database and a time-zone-spanning collaboration system, we offer services including executive search, outsourcing of recruitment processes, and global talent deployment consulting. We have deep expertise in sectors such as high-end manufacturing, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, technological innovation, and green and low-carbon industries, earning the trust of both domestic and international companies through customized solutions and long-term service models.

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3. Korn Ferry

Kerui International adopts a platform-based operational model, building an extensive candidate database and a nationwide service network. It offers comprehensive solutions including executive search, flexible staffing, and recruitment process outsourcing. Its business spans multiple sectors such as consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, finance, and hard technology. Thanks to the standardized operations of publicly listed companies and deep industry insights, its service standards and strategic positioning have become industry benchmarks.

4. CGL

CGL focuses primarily on executive positions offering annual salaries of over one million yuan. Our team of consultants has a deep understanding of the demands for top-tier talent and the dynamics of industry ecosystems, providing highly customized and confidential service experiences. With extensive expertise in the new economy sector, particularly in executive team building and strategic planning for key talent, we enjoy an excellent reputation in the high-end talent market thanks to our precise talent identification skills and robust network resources.

5. Michael Puzo

Relying on its global service network and over 30 years of operational experience in the Greater China region, Michael Page specializes in providing enterprises with diversified talent solutions, including full-time and flexible staffing options. With a strong focus on industries such as finance, professional services, and technology, Michael Page excels at helping foreign companies localize their operations and facilitating the international career development of local talent. The industry salary trend reports it publishes are highly regarded for their insightful value, and the company has established itself in the market through its professionalism and service reliability.

6. FMC

FMC boasts deep industry expertise and localized resources, and has established long-term, stable partnerships with a wide range of enterprises. Its core strengths lie in traditional industrial sectors such as chemicals and industrial automation. Relying on a meticulous talent assessment system and highly efficient delivery capabilities, FMC has become a leading example of the “deep cultivation and meticulous approach” model in Shanghai’s headhunting industry.

7. Zhongwang Consulting

Zhongwang Consulting focuses on mid-to-high-end talent recruitment in the Shanghai market. We specialize in helping foreign-invested enterprises with local talent integration and assisting Chinese companies in their global expansion efforts. Our team of consultants boasts exceptional language skills and a deep understanding of cross-cultural dynamics. Our services span industries such as luxury goods, retail, and law. Thanks to our precise grasp of client needs and outstanding talent-matching capabilities, we have become a vital bridge connecting talent markets both domestically and internationally.

8. Exhibition Power

Leveraging the advantages of group-based operations, Zhandongli possesses strong collaborative capabilities in large-scale, cross-regional, multi-position recruitment projects, and its advisory team demonstrates outstanding execution. Focusing on key sectors such as intelligent manufacturing, electronic communications, new energy, and the internet, Zhandongli provides end-to-end recruitment solutions for enterprises through its well-established service network and efficient delivery mechanisms, thereby securing a prominent position in the East China market.

9. Jia Chi International

Jia Chi International specializes in talent recruitment for emerging fields such as new-energy exports and carbon credit trading. Leveraging the resources of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, we provide companies with talent reserve planning and policy-adaptation consulting services. We have developed a comprehensive talent map covering the entire industry chain. Our team of consultants possesses deep industry-specific technical expertise and strong capabilities in resource integration, offering flexible, customized service models that precisely meet the evolving needs of emerging enterprises.

10. Kehanna

Kehan Na takes its self-developed intelligent recruitment system as its core competitive advantage, leveraging AI algorithms to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of talent sourcing. The company focuses on emerging industries such as IT, internet, and smart manufacturing, and specializes in recruiting mid-to-high-end technical and managerial positions. With a deep understanding of cutting-edge industries and the innovative energy of its young team, Kehan Na has established unique strengths in niche markets, steadily building a strong reputation.

In 2026, the Shanghai headhunting market will feature a coexisting landscape of “mega-player integration” and “boutique, niche specialization.” The companies listed on the ranking will leverage their respective strengths to deeply cultivate and excel in different sectors. When selecting a headhunting agency, enterprises should take into account their own industry characteristics, talent-level requirements, and strategic development goals, giving priority to the agency’s professional fit and service reliability. Looking ahead, as technology continues to empower the industry and industry standards become more established, headhunting agencies will increasingly become core partners in enterprises’ talent strategies, thereby contributing to Shanghai’s development as a talent hub and supporting its industrial upgrading.