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Toronto Executive Search Recruiters

Your Toronto Recruitment Agency & Headhunters

Lock Search Group is a leading recruiter connecting Toronto’s businesses with job seekers eager to bring their talents to the team. Our headhunters have extensive experience navigating the dynamic Toronto job market, and the employers we work with benefit from this expertise.

With a population of nearly 3 million, the city of Toronto is the financial capital of Canada, as well as one of its most diverse, multi-cultural centers. It’s the fastest growing area, not just in Canada, but across North America. This is particularly true when it comes to the technology industry. Over the past five years, Toronto has consistently produced more graduates than jobs, making it a “brain gain” destination for companies who are looking to recruit the best talent.

Of course, just because there are highly-skilled candidates in Toronto doesn’t mean they’re easy to find and hire. Partnering with a well-connected executive search, recruiting firm and employment agency like Lock Search Group helps organizations find people who are a perfect fit for the culture and have the right experience and skills for the role. Our relationship-based recruitment approach and in-depth screening process gives us the edge in identifying top candidates in Toronto. If you’re facing a recruitment challenge, contact Lock Search Group today to find out how we can provide a solution.

  • map-marker161 Bay St. Suite 2435
    Toronto, ON M5J 2S1

Our Toronto success stories

Lock offers a range of services to meet your business needs

Lock Search Group’s distinctive “contained” executive search model combines the thoroughness of traditional retained search with performance-based accountability to deliver exceptional C-suite and senior leadership talent for permanent placement. Our proven three-phase methodology, led by experienced Senior Consultants and backed by dedicated industry-specific recruitment teams, ensures comprehensive coverage of the executive talent market. We leverage our national network and extensive research capabilities to track industry movements, mergers, acquisitions, and leadership changes, providing clients with real-time market intelligence. Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles ensures we source the absolute best available talent without bias, maintaining a fair and equitable search process. Our track record speaks for itself, with successful placements including Board Members, CEOs, CFOs, Presidents, and numerous Vice Presidents across multiple functions and industries.

Our Retained Search service establishes an exclusive partnership with organizations seeking to fill critical senior and mid-level positions through a comprehensive, priority-based approach. By dedicating our full resources and attention to your search, we conduct extensive market mapping and develop robust talent pipelines that ensure access to the highest caliber candidates. Our team provides regular progress updates and detailed market intelligence reports, keeping you informed throughout the entire search process. We manage everything from initial candidate assessment through final offer negotiation, ensuring a smooth and professional experience for both clients and candidates. This service includes post-placement integration support to ensure successful onboarding and long-term success of placed candidates.

Our Contingency Search service offers a flexible, success-based recruiting solution designed to efficiently fill professional and technical positions on a permanent placement basis. Organizations benefit from immediate access to our extensive candidate database and network, with payment required only upon successful placement. Our streamlined recruitment process focuses on quick response times and efficient candidate presentation, making it ideal for time-sensitive placements and organizations with variable hiring needs. We handle all aspects of the recruitment process, from initial screening through offer negotiation, while maintaining the flexibility to work alongside other agencies if desired. This results-driven approach ensures we remain highly motivated to identify and secure the right talent for your organization while minimizing your upfront investment.

Recruiting Toronto’s finest across our practice areas

At our Toronto office, we connect exceptional talent with high-quality job opportunities across diverse industries critical to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) economy. The practice areas below represent the core sectors and emerging fields significantly shaping and driving the dynamic Toronto job market. Our experienced recruiters leverage deep local expertise within these specific domains – from finance and human resources to technology and life sciences – combined with our national network. This network allows us to effectively navigate Toronto’s unique staffing industry challenges and opportunities, placing talent that drives growth and transformation for businesses throughout the GTA.

Talent found, teams built: Testimonials from satisfied employers

They have the depth of national candidates, in many select industries with specific skillsets. Then back it all up with diligence and professionalism. They deliver results for both clients and candidates.
Grant Larsen
Chief Commercial Officer, Aequus Pharmaceuticals
I have worked with Richard and the Lock Search Group for over two decades. They have always committed themselves to knowing our organization, our culture, our mission. Their combined diligence has brought me numerous star candidates over the years.
Stu Fowler
President and Co-Founder, Aesthetic Medicine Network Inc.
As a CEO candidate, working with Lock Search Group was a pivotal step and a pleasure from start to finish. The recruitment process, evaluation, regular updates and efforts to ensure that the fit at MDBriefCase would be right for both parties, was handled with the utmost professionalism and guidance.
Jason Flowerday
CEO, MDBriefCase Group
The hiring partner I work with at Lock is quick, efficient, attentive to the needs of the organization, but most importantly, persistent in finding the candidate who will be the best partner for our organization. Another strength of Lock is that they have hiring partners in several provinces across Canada. We are ensured of receiving the same service, and the flow of information occurs without us having to re-explain our organizational culture. This is truly appreciated.
Elyse Poulin
Human Resources Director, GF Piping Systems Canada Ltd
The team was dedicated to finding the perfect candidate and understood our business needs to ensure the right fit. The continued support and communication from the team, even after the placement, was very much appreciated.
Julie Wigley
COO, Red Truck Beer & Mark James Management Ltd.
The team at Lock Search Group makes the process of hiring new candidates seamless from start to finish. They take the time to fully understand the needs of the their clients, position they are recruiting for and the individuals looking to be placed. Over the past 20 years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with the team at Lock Search Group and have been extremely pleased with the quality of candidates they represented. They are true professionals!
Trevor Tarasoff
National Head of Sales, CoolSculpting, Allergan Aesthetics
I love working with Lock - they find great candidates and make the process easy from start to finish.
Sarah Woods
General Manager, Henkel Canada
The Lock team has the incredible ability to find the ideal candidates that fit our culture and fuel our growth. Their approach is simple and effective. It will be our pleasure to do more searches with Lock.
Luc Mongeau
President & CEO, eSolutions Furniture

Why Choose Lock Search Group

Track record of success In Toronto

In Toronto’s fiercely competitive market, our formula is simple: care deeply, deliver results. We know your next hire in this city can transform your team. Navigating the competitive Toronto job market requires strategic talent acquisition, which is where our expert executive search and recruitment services provide a distinct advantage.

Our founder’s national entrepreneurial grit fuels our focused Toronto approach. Expect delivery-driven partnership from our team, embedded in the GTA’s business ecosystem. Our Toronto consultants average 10+ years’ tenure, offering deep local market intelligence and established networks (Bay Street, tech corridors, and beyond). We make the match that truly measures up for Toronto’s leading organizations.

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Leaders and listeners

What are your goals in Toronto’s competitive market? Our client-centric process puts your specific objectives—scaling tech, leading on Bay Street, navigating diverse GTA industries—at the heart of our search. In this fast-moving city, we listen intently to grasp your unique needs.

You get an individual action plan tailored for GTA hiring realities, ensuring alignment where speed and agility are vital for securing top Toronto talent. Actions, progress tracking, and timelines are clearly defined upfront, enabling confident decisions in this high-stakes market.

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Industry-savvy insiders

Building incredible Toronto teams since 1983, we’ve witnessed the city’s dynamic evolution. Our deep GTA network connects leaders and influencers across key sectors like Bay Street finance, the thriving tech ecosystem (including MaRS influence), healthcare, and professional services.

Our Toronto recruiters build genuine connections through direct local industry experience. They intimately understand GTA market nuances, from TSX governance needs to tech startup agility. We operate at the cutting edge, tuned into Toronto’s evolving innovation landscape.

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Partner with Lock Search Group

I'm ready to hire in Toronto I'm looking for an opportunity

Talk to a recruiting expert in Toronto

Matching Toronto’s fast pace, our experienced team knows the key players throughout the GTA. They really understand the ins and outs of crucial sectors – think Bay Street, tech hubs like MaRS, and healthcare. Connecting top talent with roles that push Toronto forward globally is what they love to do. Meet the people making the difference in the GTA’s demanding hiring scene.

team member Ben Lamarche

Ben Lamarche

Managing Director
team member Jack Gawen

Jack Gawen

Managing Director
team member Michelle Belzile

Michelle Belzile

Recruitment Consultant
team member Glen Blackwell

Glen Blackwell

Vice President of Finance
team member Abigail Van Riesen

Abigail Van Riesen

Recruitment Consultant
team member Mike Davis

Mike Davis

Recruitment Consultant
team member Dave Dureno

Dave Dureno

Recruitment Consultant
team member Matt Frost

Matt Frost

Recruitment Consultant, Partner
team member Charles Warren

Charles Warren

Recruitment Consultant, Partner
team member Alexandra Ungureanu

Alexandra Ungureanu

Recruitment Associate
team member Martiquea McLean

Martiquea McLean

Hybrid Recruiter
team member Katie McLay

Katie McLay

Recruitment Associate
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Frequently asked questions about recruiting in Toronto

We connect top talent with leading companies across Toronto’s financial services, technology and professional services sectors (among others). Our specialty is placing experienced professionals in management and executive roles that drive organizational success. From portfolio managers and compliance directors to product leads and operations executives, we understand what makes Toronto’s businesses tick. Our deep industry knowledge helps us match the right people with the right opportunities, creating partnerships that fuel growth and performance.

As one of the leading executive search firms in the Bay Street area, our practice areas are diverse and comprehensive, covering a wide range of industries and sectors.

We have recruiters who work on filling roles on executive search and talent acquisition projects for the following industries:

Executive Search

Toronto’s vibrant, multicultural business hub drives our “contained” executive search model. We blend the discipline of traditional retained search with performance-based accountability to secure top leadership, from visionary CEOs and CFOs to influential board members. Our proven three-phase methodology is led by Senior Consultants deeply familiar with Toronto’s key sectors, whether finance in the bustling downtown core or tech innovation in emerging corridors. Combining local insight with national resources, we track market shifts and leadership changes in real time.

Retained Search

In a city where boardrooms overlook Lake Ontario and innovation pulses through every street, our Retained Search service builds an exclusive partnership with local organizations intent on growth. We dedicate full resources to fill crucial senior and mid-level roles by mapping the local market and tapping into Toronto’s extensive network of finance, tech, and creative talent. With regular progress updates and detailed market insights, we keep you informed at every step. This tailored process aligns perfectly with Toronto’s competitive commercial pace and strategic vision.

Contingency Search

For Toronto’s fast-paced, results-driven environment, our Contingency Search delivers a flexible, success-based recruiting solution. Ideal for filling professional and technical roles quickly, this service provides immediate access to a diverse candidate network—from downtown business hubs to emerging tech incubators. With payment due only upon successful placement, our agile process covers everything from candidate screening to final negotiations. This flexible approach meets time-sensitive hiring needs while ensuring that the right talent is secured swiftly in one of North America’s most dynamic markets.

We can be found at 161 Bay St. Suite 2435, Toronto, ON M5J 2S1. We are located just a few minutes away from Union Station and there is ample parking in the area should you arrive by car.

Our Toronto location provides an unparalleled advantage through a deep, real-time understanding of the local Toronto job market. This isn’t just about knowing who the major players are; it’s about grasping the specific nuances, salary benchmarks, emerging trends, and skill demands within the key sectors that define this city – areas like finance, technology, life sciences, and manufacturing, detailed in our Practice Areas. This crucial market intelligence allows our recruitment specialists to deliver superior outcomes by going beyond active job seekers to effectively identify, access, and engage high-caliber passive candidates who aren’t readily found through standard methods. Finally, our physical presence in the downtown core allows for regular and meaningful engagement within Toronto’s business community and talent hubs (like the Financial District or MaRS), fostering trust and enabling interactions that lead to a more successful, efficient, and personalized recruitment process.