A Leading Executive Search Firm in Sydney
Pettit Pharma & Device Search is trusted by leading global healthcare companies.
When the cost of a failed leadership hire can run into millions, executive hiring is not a recruitment task. It is a business-critical decision.
At PPD Search, we partner with healthcare, pharmaceutical, medical device and health technology organisations to deliver discreet, strategic and outcome-driven leadership appointments. As one of the leading executive search firms in Sydney, we operate at the intersection of sector expertise, rigorous assessment and strategic advisory.
Unlike traditional executive recruiting firms, we don’t just fill roles. Our sector knowledge has provided us with the insight and intelligence to strategically map markets, assess long-term impact and secure leaders who drive growth.
Executive recruitment is fundamentally different from mid-level hiring.

C-suite and senior leadership appointments require:
- Absolute discretion
- Deep sector intelligence
- Strategic market mapping
- Advanced behavioural and leadership assessment
- Alignment with board-level objectives
As one of the most respected executive search firms in Australia, we understand that your executive hire must deliver immediate strategic contribution while strengthening long-term organisational capability.
We work closely with Boards, CEOs and HR Directors to understand:
- Growth strategy and commercial objectives
- Organisational culture and leadership gaps
- Competitive landscape and talent movement
- Succession planning considerations
1. Strategic Discovery & Alignment
Every engagement begins with deep consultation. We align on:
- Commercial objectives
- Revenue targets
- Market positioning
- Cultural DNA
- Leadership capability gaps
We also discuss risk mitigation, including the financial and operational cost of a mis-hire.
2. Market Mapping & Talent Intelligence
We conduct comprehensive market mapping across competitors and adjacent industries. This ensures access to both active and passive executive talent.
This disciplined methodology differentiates us from transactional executive recruiting firms and positions us among high-performing executive search firms in Sydney.
3. Discreet Approach & Candidate Engagement
Executive moves are sensitive. Our outreach is targeted, confidential and reputation-protected.
As specialists in pharma executive recruitment, we understand the importance of discretion within tightly networked therapeutic and commercial communities.
4. Rigorous Multi-Layered Assessment
Our technology-enabled assessment platform evaluates:
- Leadership capability
- Commercial acumen
- Behavioural drivers
- Cultural alignment
- Change adaptability
We benchmark candidates against high-performing leadership profiles within your organisation to ensure long-term fit.
5. Offer Management & Onboarding Advisory
Our role extends beyond placement. We:
- Support offer negotiation
- Provide counter-offer management strategies
- Advise on onboarding structure
- Maintain engagement through transition
- Measurement of employee perceptions to mitigate attrition within the first 12 months
Executive search should deliver measurable impact.
Our clients typically experience:
- Reduced time-to-hire: 8–12 weeks for most senior appointments
- High retention rates: Leaders placed for long-term strategic contribution
- Lower cost of failure: Mitigated through structured assessment and cultural alignment
The true cost of a failed C-suite hire can exceed 2–3x annual salary when factoring lost productivity, team disengagement and reputational damage. This is why employers partner with our specialist executive search firm in Australia to manage complex leadership appointments.
We specialise in:
- Medical Devices
- Pharmaceutical
- Digital Health Technology
- Healthcare Services
Our depth in pharma executive recruitment ensures we understand regulatory frameworks, product lifecycles, commercialisation strategy and market access dynamics unique to the industry.
What our client's have to say about us
- Discreet C-suite search capability
- Deep healthcare and life sciences expertise
- Strategic market mapping
- Data-driven behavioural assessment
- Long-term partnership mindset
We are proud to be counted among the most trusted executive recruiters in Sydney. Healthcare organisations engage us as leadership performance directly impacts growth. Our
rigorous assessment framework, discreet C-suite search capability, and long-term partnership mindset set us apart from generalist firms, backed by deep healthcare and life sciences expertise and data-driven behavioural assessment that goes well beyond the résumé. This is due largely to
our values, which underpin every executive search engagement.
If your organisation is preparing for growth, transformation or succession planning, partner with one of the leading executive search firms in Sydney.
Contact our executive search team today, or view
employer insights and hiring advice to see how a genuine strategic partnership changes the calibre of executive talent you can attract.
How confidential is the executive search process?
Confidentiality is fundamental. All executive searches are conducted with strict discretion. Candidate outreach is targeted and controlled, and client identity can remain confidential during early market engagement if required.
What is the typical timeline for an executive search?
Most executive searches are completed within 8–12 weeks, depending on complexity and market conditions. Roles requiring international mapping or highly specialised expertise may extend slightly beyond this timeframe.
Do you offer a replacement guarantee?
Yes. We stand behind our placements. Should a placed executive leave within the agreed guarantee period, we conduct a replacement search in line with agreed terms. This reflects our confidence in our rigorous assessment methodology.
What differentiates you from other executive search firms?
Unlike generalist executive recruiting firms, we focus exclusively on healthcare and life sciences leadership. Our combination of strategic partnership, our network, market mapping and behavioural assessment ensures alignment beyond technical skill.
Why should we use a specialist firm for pharma leadership roles?
Pharmaceutical leadership appointments require understanding of regulatory frameworks, therapeutic areas, commercial launch strategy and stakeholder engagement. Our expertise in pharma executive recruitment ensures access to highly qualified leaders who can navigate this complexity.