Why Landing Top Executives on Montreal’s North Shore is Tougher Than Ever—and How to Solve It
Finding the right executive leadership on Montreal’s North Shore isn’t the straightforward task it once was. While the region has long drawn established businesses and affluent individuals, today’s competitive job market is making it harder for companies to secure qualified executive candidates—especially for those crucial C-suite and senior roles.
As the market shifts and top talent becomes more selective, many organizations are turning to trusted partners like Lock Search Group’s Montreal office to overcome these hiring hurdles.
Why North Shore Businesses Struggle to Attract Top Executives
The North Shore of Montreal boasts a varied mix of businesses—from big international players in Laval to growing companies in Boisbriand and beyond. However, companies in these areas face increasing competition for a limited number of executive-level professionals. Here’s why:
- Candidate Shortage: Many experienced executives prefer working in downtown Montreal or even moving out of province for better opportunities. This shrinks the pool of available candidates for North Shore companies, particularly in specialized sectors.
- Network Gaps: Internal HR teams often rely on traditional hiring methods or outdated job boards. These approaches simply don’t reach those top-tier leaders who aren’t actively looking but would consider an exciting opportunity.
- Hesitation to Relocate: Even when great candidates are found, convincing them to move to or commute to the North Shore can be a challenge. Executives value their lifestyle and convenience, and without strong reasons, they might pass on roles outside the city center.
How Executive Search Firms Help North Shore Businesses Compete
This is where a specialized executive search firm becomes incredibly valuable. Unlike general recruiters, an executive search firm like Lock Search Group offers a strategic, advisory approach to leadership hiring.
Here’s how we assist North Shore companies in securing top executive talent:
- Strong Local and National Connections: We have relationships with high-performing leaders across Quebec and beyond. Our network allows us to tap into those passive candidate pools that internal teams simply can’t reach.
- Role-Specific Search Plans: Every search is unique. Whether you’re hiring a VP of Operations for a Laval manufacturer or a CFO for a healthcare organization in Rosemère, we target the precise skills, industries, and leadership styles you need.
- Relocation Know-How: We help companies create offers that attract talent from downtown Montreal, other provinces, or even internationally. From salary benchmarking to relocation support, we make the transition smooth.
- Cultural Fit Assessments: Hiring a senior executive is about more than just skills. It’s about their leadership approach, how they’ll fit with your team, and their long-term vision. Our process includes thorough assessments to ensure every candidate is a great fit—not just on paper, but within your company culture.
Which Industries on Montreal’s North Shore are Driving Executive Demand?
Over the past five years, North Shore cities like Laval, Sainte-Thérèse, and Blainville have seen growth in several sectors that require strong senior leadership. These include:
- Pharmaceuticals and life sciences (especially with Laval’s growing bio-industrial area)
- Manufacturing and logistics
- Construction and real estate development
- Professional services and finance
Each of these industries needs executives with specific regulatory knowledge, bilingual communication skills, and experience navigating Quebec’s unique business environment. Fun fact: Laval is a major hub for pharmaceutical companies, making bilingualism a significant asset for executive roles there.
The Cost of a Bad Executive Hire—or No Hire at All
Delaying a senior hire or making the wrong choice can have long-lasting negative effects on a company’s performance. Think about:
- Missed growth targets because of a lack of strategic leadership
- Low morale or turnover in middle management due to ineffective direction from the top
- Increased costs from prolonged job vacancies or failed hires
Working with an executive search partner reduces these risks by aligning your leadership strategy with proven talent acquisition best practices.
Partner with a Firm That Knows Your Market
At Lock Search Group, we’ve been helping organizations across the North Shore and the greater Montreal region make successful executive hires for over 35 years. Our understanding of the local market, our national network of candidates, and our industry specialization make us a trusted advisor to business leaders looking to build high-performing teams.
Want to learn how we can help your organization grow through strategic executive hiring? Contact us here.
Key Takeaways for North Shore Employers
- Finding executive talent is becoming more challenging in North Shore cities like Laval and Blainville due to a limited talent pool and location considerations.
- Partnering with an executive search firm provides access to top-tier candidates who aren’t actively looking and offers customized recruitment strategies.
- Sectors such as pharmaceuticals, logistics, and finance have a particularly high need for experienced leaders. Interestingly, the North Shore’s manufacturing sector benefits from its proximity to major transportation routes.
- The cost of a bad hire—or leaving an executive position vacant—can significantly impact your company’s performance beyond just the HR department.
If you’re ready to shift from simply filling positions to strategically recruiting top executives, Lock Search Group is ready to assist.