Whether you’re hiring or considering your next move, the choices you make in the final months of 2026 will shape how much ground you can cover in 2027.
Consider a client of ONWARD that needs a new Chief Development Officer.
From the first conversation about a search to the executive’s first day, a reasonable planning estimate is about three and a half months.
That window has to accommodate agreement negotiations, defining the role and scorecard, launching the search, interviewing candidates, a case study and/or presentation, finalist meetings, assessments, final interviews, offer negotiations, and the candidate’s notice period, often four weeks at this level.
That’s assuming the process stays on track. A counteroffer, a second round of negotiations, or a delayed decision can add more time.
If you want your leadership team ready to drive results early in the new year, a senior search can’t wait until January 2 to begin. By then, the work has already been pushed well into 2027.
Candidates face a similar clock.
Say you’re a rising VP or SVP of M&A looking for your next Chief Development Officer role. You’ll need time to clarify what you want, build the right relationships, explore opportunities discreetly, and move through interviews and negotiations.
In today’s competitive M&A market, planning for a four-to-eleven month search is realistic, and that’s before accounting for your notice period.
I’ll admit: writing this at the end of October feels late. August would have been an even better time to start the conversation.
But I can confidently say there’s still time to make a deliberate move before the year closes.
The takeaway is simple: the work behind a strong 2027 starts well before January.
If your executive team or PE colleagues are already discussing a leadership change, start the conversation with ONWARD now.
A confidential retained search takes time, and finding the right person is worth building that time into the plan.
If you’re considering your next move, reach out to me or Vincent, who leads search execution at ONWARD. We can help you think through the market, timing, and fit before you make a move.
If you’re unwilling to settle for half-met targets in 2027, you can’t wait any longer.
PS: Happy Halloween!