The Specialist Communications Executive Search & Recruitment Agency

Building high-performing communications teams through executive search, permanent recruitment, and interim talent solutions.

Comms Search consultant discussing executive recruitment strategy

Setting the Standard for Communications Recruitment

As a specialist communications recruitment agency, we go beyond transactional hiring to act as true talent advisors for leading businesses across the UK, US, and global markets. Whether you are conducting a highly confidential communications executive search in London, New York, or Houston, or scaling a global PR function, our deep domain expertise enables us to:

Publish Industry-Leading Data: We produce the definitive Communications Market Report and Salary Guide.
Lead the Conversation: Hosting the Strategy, Story & Stakeholders podcast with top CCOs and industry voices.
Secure Elite Talent: Connecting you with communications talent who make a strategic impact from day one.

Retained Executive Search >
Permanent Placements >
Contract & Interim >
For confidential, C-Suite, and Board-level communications hires (e.g., Chief Communications Officer, Global Head of PR, VP Communications, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer)
For critical Director and Management roles (e.g., Director of Internal Communications, Senior Media Relations Manager)
For rapid deployment during M&A, crises, transformations, or parental cover. Access vetted, interim communications talent in days.

Placing Communications Talent at Global Brands & Industry Leaders

What our clients and candidates say

Chief People Officer Hollis

Melanie Olrik

We needed a fast solution for a senior hire. Comms Search & Selection's understanding of our needs, candidates provided and interview preparation ensured a thorough but efficient resolution.
Media Relations First Sentier Investors

Stephen Sobey

Max and Muksheeda had a great understanding of my career aspirations. I was really impressed by their market knowledge, sector specialism and transparent communication during the process.
Senior Director, Investor Public Relations Hines

Teo Do

From the outset, the team at Comms Search demonstrated proactiveness, making Hines a top priority. Each candidate was of excellent caliber, thoroughly vetted and well-suited for the role.
Interim Marketing Communications Director Hollis

Abi Goldsbrough

Max took a genuinely personal approach throughout my recruitment journey. His in-house comms expertise was very clear. I started the role knowing exactly what was needed to support my new team.
Head of Media Relations Ex Chubb and BNY Wealth and Investments

Ben Tanner

Max Forsyth of Comms Search & Selection is an exceptional professional and a true partner for job seekers. With extensive experience, he secures roles that align with candidates’ skills.
Public Relations Director Climate Investments

Sara Mack

Max is the consummate professional. He took time to understand our needs and produced an excellent shortlist of candidates, providing us with unique insights, resulting in hires each time.

Businessman sitting in a business meeting talking to a woman on his left

Boutique Precision vs. Generalist Volume

Large global executive search firms treat Communications as just another corporate function, relying on keyword matching and restricted talent pools. We treat it as the heartbeat of your reputation. Because our team consists of communications experts, we vet candidates for stakeholder gravitas and crisis resilience, giving you unrestricted access to a 'hidden' network of passive, high-performing leaders.

Explore Our Search Models >

Our Expertise: Executive Leadership Across the Communications Function

We don’t just fill vacancies; we build world-class functions. From the Chief Communications Officer to the Head of Communications, PR Managers, VPs of Internal Communications, Content Managers and more, we recruit the strategic leaders who own your corporate narrative, protect your reputation, and drive stakeholder value.

We partner with high-growth scale-ups and Fortune 500/FTSE 250 enterprises acrossTechnology, Financial Services, Healthcare, Consumer Brands, and B2B sectors.

Corporate Communications

Recruiting Chief Communications Officers (CCO) & Group Heads of Communications. We place the guardians of your corporate brand. Leaders who integrate media relations, digital strategy, and stakeholder engagement to drive business performance.

Corporate Affairs

Heads of Corporate Affairs, Policy & Government Relations. Finding political heavyweights and policy experts who can navigate regulation, manage reputation risk, and secure your license to operate.

Executive Communications

Strategic Advisors to the CEO & Board. Headhunting the ghostwriters and strategists who craft the narrative for the C-Suite, ensuring your leadership’s vision is articulated with clarity and impact.

Internal Communications

Directors of Internal Communications & Employee Engagement. Leaders who partner with HR to drive organisational alignment, retention, and culture transformation during critical periods of growth or change.

Change Communications

Transformation & M&A Communications Leaders. Specialists in restructuring, mergers, and acquisitions. We find the talent that minimises disruption and maintains morale during complex transformations.

Investor Relations

Heads of Investor Relations & Capital Markets. Recruiting financially literate storytellers who can articulate your equity story to the street, managing analyst expectations and shareholder value.

Content & Thought-Leadership

Heads of Content & Storytelling. Modern leaders who turn your organisation into a media house, driving authority through owned content channels, social media and digital strategy, and executive thought leadership.

Public Relations

Media Relations Directors & Heads of PR. Connecting you with the calmest heads in the room. Experts in global media relations, crisis communications, and proactive reputation management.

Latest insights

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Discuss Your Leadership Gap

Defining the mandate is the most critical step in a successful search. Contact our specialist team for a confidential discussion on market compensation, role scoping, and how to attract elite communications talent.

Book a Strategy Consultation >

What is the difference between communications executive search and recruitment?

Communications executive search is a highly proactive, partner-led methodology used to headhunt passive, C-Suite, and Board-level leaders (such as a Chief Communications Officer or Global Head of Corporate Affairs). Our communications recruitment agency service focuses on high-priority permanent placements at the Director and Management levels, utilising targeted search sprints to secure elite execution talent faster than the industry average.

How long does a retained communications executive search take?

A retained executive search is a meticulous process, but we operate with boutique agility. Typically, we present a fully vetted, premium shortlist of off-market communications leaders within 4 to 6 weeks of finalising the mandate. Our timeline prioritises the exact cultural and strategic fit over simply filling a seat.

Do you recruit communications and corporate affairs leaders in both the UK and the US?

Yes. We partner with high-growth scale-ups and global enterprises across both markets. Our deep networks in major financial hubs —including London, New York, and Houston — allow us to execute seamless cross-border searches and secure top-tier transatlantic communications talent.

How quickly can you provide interim crisis communications or M&A cover?

In high-stakes scenarios like a sudden merger, acquisition, or reputational crisis, speed is critical. Through our Contract & Interim practice, we can deploy vetted, battle-tested fractional communications leaders and interim press office experts within a matter of days to protect your business continuity.

Do you provide communications salary benchmarking and market intelligence?

Absolutely. We act as true strategic advisors to our clients. Before commencing a search, we provide real-time intelligence on optimal team structures and compensation benchmarking. We also publish the industry’s definitive Communications Market Report and Salary Guide to help you structure highly competitive offers.

What specific corporate affairs and communications roles do you recruit for?

We build world-class communications functions from the ExCo table down to the critical management layer. Our executive search and recruitment practice covers a comprehensive range of leadership and execution titles across the UK and US, including:
C-Suite & Board Advisory: Chief Communications Officer (CCO), Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, and Chief of Staff.
Corporate Communications: Head of Communications, Communications Director, VP of Communications, Global Head of Corporate Communications, and Senior Corporate Communications Manager.
Corporate Affairs & Policy: Head of Corporate Affairs, Director of Corporate Affairs, VP of Government Relations, and Director of Public Policy.
Public & Media Relations: Head of PR, Global PR Director, Director of Media Relations, and Head of Reputation & Crisis Communications.
Internal & Change Communications: Head of Internal Communications, Internal Communications Director, VP of Employee Engagement, and Director of Change & Transformation Communications.
Investor Relations (IR): Head of Investor Relations, VP of Investor Relations, and Director of Capital Markets.
Content & Executive Comms: Head of Content, Director of Thought Leadership, Head of Executive Communications, and Senior Speechwriter.