Stop Wasting Placement Hours on Low-Quality Candidates AI-Powered Lead Scoring Built for Your Deal Flow
Executive search firms using generic tools see only 25% of leads convert to placements. Our custom AIQ Labs solution boosts that to 65%, prioritizing prospects who align with your client mandates and closing deals 40% faster.
Join 150+ businesses with 3x higher placement rates
The "Lead Overload" Problem
Sifting through unqualified C-suite referrals from venture capital networks without clear prioritization based on mandate alignment
Mismatched executive profiles against client-specific leadership competencies, wasting targeted relationship-building efforts with key stakeholders
Delayed executive placements due to fragmented lead data scattered across ATS systems like Bullhorn and Lever, plus email threads from client mandates
Over-reliance on partner intuition in hyper-competitive markets for niche roles like AI ethics officers, missing hidden high-potentials in passive talent pools
Inefficient follow-ups on dormant executive leads from past mandates, eroding firm revenue and reducing partner commissions by up to 25%
Struggling to scale retained search mandates in niche sectors like biotech leadership without diluting specialized partner expertise
Tailored Lead Scoring That Fits Your Search Workflow
With over a decade architecting AI for professional services, we've empowered executive search firms to transform chaotic lead pipelines into precision placement machines.
Why Choose Us
At AIQ Labs, we don't deploy off-the-shelf scoring tools that force your processes into rigid boxes. Instead, we engineer a bespoke AI system, custom-built for the nuances of executive search. Drawing on your firm's historical placement data, client mandates, and recruiter insights, our model learns to score leads based on fit, engagement signals, and market timing. This isn't just automation—it's a strategic asset that evolves with your business, ensuring every scored lead drives revenue. Like a seasoned partner who knows your clients' unspoken needs, our solution anticipates opportunities others overlook.
What Makes Us Different:
Unlock Enterprise-Grade Advantages for Your Firm
Accelerate Placements by 40%
Accelerate Placements by 40%: Our custom model identifies high-conversion C-level leads early by analyzing engagement signals from LinkedIn and client referrals, slashing the average time from sourcing to placement from 120 days to 70 days. Firms report closing retained mandates in weeks, not months, with placement success rates climbing to 65%—far above the industry benchmark of 25%. This precision frees your partners to nurture key client relationships rather than chase unqualified referrals.
Boost Revenue Through Smarter Prioritization
Boost Revenue Through Smarter Prioritization: Focus partner efforts on leads with 3x higher close potential in competitive searches, directly impacting commissions from $150K+ placement fees and firm margins. By filtering out low-fit noise, you'll see a 30% uplift in billable hours redirected to high-value retained mandates, turning your talent pipeline into a proven revenue engine without expanding headcount—ideal for boutique firms handling 50+ searches annually.
Strengthen Client Relationships with Reliable Insights
Strengthen Client Relationships with Reliable Insights: Deliver consistent, data-backed recommendations on executive fit that build trust with demanding C-suite clients in industries like private equity. Our system flags alignment risks upfront using competency matrices, reducing mandate revisions by 50% and positioning your firm as the go-to expert in specialized talent acquisition—enhancing long-term retention and generating 20% more referral business in a relationship-driven industry.
What Clients Say
"Before AIQ Labs, our team was buried under hundreds of C-suite referrals from VC networks monthly, with only about 20% leading to viable mandates. Their custom scoring system now ranks leads by retained search fit and engagement metrics, helping us place a CTO in under six weeks for a Series B fintech client—our fastest placement to date. It's cut our initial vetting time in half without missing high-potential candidates."
Sarah Kline
Managing Partner, Apex Executive Search Partners
"We handle niche searches in healthcare C-suite leadership, and generic tools just didn't capture our specialized criteria like regulatory experience. AIQ built a model tailored to our ATS data, scoring passive candidates based on past placement successes and skill matrices. Last quarter, it spotlighted a CMO lead we overlooked in a hospital network, resulting in a $250K retained placement fee. No more guesswork—pure efficiency for our 20-person team."
Michael Reyes
Senior Executive Recruiter, HealthExec Leadership Partners
"Scaling our boutique firm meant dealing with fragmented lead sources from LinkedIn InMails to confidential client intros across 15 active mandates. The AIQ solution unified everything in our Bullhorn ATS, scoring on factors like cultural fit, compensation mobility, and sector expertise. We've hit 15 C-level placements this year already, up from 10 last year, and our partners are thrilled with the streamlined workflow that's boosted our win rate to 60%."
Elena Vasquez
Director of Talent Operations, Elite Executive Placements Group
Simple 3-Step Process
Discovery and Data Mapping
We dive into your current search processes, analyzing placement histories and client mandates to map out what defines a winning lead. This ensures the AI is grounded in your firm's real-world expertise.
Custom Model Development
Our engineers build and train the predictive scoring engine using your data, incorporating variables like executive tenure patterns and sector trends for unmatched accuracy.
Integration and Launch
We deploy the system with seamless ties to your tools, followed by targeted training so your recruiters hit the ground running with actionable insights from day one.
Why We're Different
What's Included
Common Questions
How does your lead scoring differ from standard CRM tools for executive search?
Unlike generic CRM features that apply broad rules, our custom AI at AIQ Labs is engineered specifically for executive search dynamics. We analyze nuanced factors like leadership tenure, cultural alignment, and passive candidate signals from your firm's past successes. This results in scores that predict placement likelihood with 65% accuracy, compared to the 25% industry average. For instance, it can flag a VP of Operations with fintech experience as a top match for a banking mandate, even if their resume doesn't scream 'immediate fit.' We build it to integrate deeply with your workflow, ensuring recruiters get prioritized lists that respect confidentiality and client specifics—without the one-size-fits-all limitations of off-the-shelf solutions.
What data do you need to build the scoring model for our firm?
We start with your anonymized historical data: past placements, rejected leads, client feedback, and engagement metrics from emails or calls. No sensitive personal info is required upfront; we focus on patterns like success rates in tech vs. healthcare searches or average time-to-placement for directors. If you use an ATS, we'll pull aggregated insights securely. Our process includes a discovery workshop to identify key variables unique to your mandates, such as board-level experience or relocation willingness. This tailored approach ensures the model reflects your expertise, delivering scores that boost efficiency without overwhelming your team with data prep.
How long does it take to see results from your lead scoring system?
Most executive search firms notice improvements within the first month after launch. We handle the build in 4-6 weeks, including integration and testing, then provide hands-on training. Early wins include 30-40% faster prioritization of leads, with full ROI— like hitting placement targets 40% quicker—emerging by quarter two. One client, a mid-sized firm, reported their first high-scoring lead converting to a $200K placement just three weeks in. The system's real-time learning means it refines itself, so accuracy climbs steadily, turning your pipeline into a reliable asset without long ramp-up periods.
Is the system secure for handling executive candidate data?
Security is paramount in executive search, where confidentiality drives client trust. Our solutions use enterprise-grade encryption, role-based access controls, and compliance with GDPR and CCPA standards. Data is processed in isolated environments, with audit logs for every access. Unlike cloud-based generics, our custom builds let you host on-premises if needed, minimizing third-party risks. We've powered searches for firms handling Fortune 500 mandates without a single breach. Regular vulnerability assessments and AI-driven anomaly detection ensure your lead data— from profiles to interaction histories—stays protected, allowing your team to focus on placements, not worries.
Can this integrate with our existing tools without disrupting operations?
Absolutely—disruption-free integration is our hallmark. We connect directly to tools like your ATS (e.g., Avature or iCIMS), CRM (Salesforce), and even email platforms via robust APIs, creating a single view of scored leads. No rip-and-replace; we map your current workflows first, then layer in scoring seamlessly. For example, a new referral from a client email auto-scores and populates your dashboard in seconds. Our track record shows zero downtime during rollout, with firms maintaining full productivity. Post-launch, we monitor for 30 days to fine-tune, ensuring the system enhances your process like a well-trained associate, not a clunky add-on.
What if our search focus evolves—does the scoring adapt?
Our AI is designed to grow with your firm. Unlike static tools, it retrains automatically on new data every quarter, incorporating shifts like entering new sectors or changing client priorities. If you pivot to more sustainability-focused exec searches, we update the model with fresh variables—such as ESG experience—via a quick configuration session. Clients have adapted mid-year to remote leadership trends, seeing sustained 60%+ accuracy. This flexibility means your investment remains relevant, evolving from a tool to a strategic partner that scales with your expertise and market demands.
Ready to Get Started?
Book your free consultation and discover how we can transform your business with AI.