How do you match candidates to the right opportunities?

Our priority is fit, not speed. We take time to understand your background, goals, and motivations, then provide clear insight into each opportunity so you're only considered for roles that truly align with your experience and ambitions.

What types of roles and industries do you specialise in?

We specialise in senior, specialist, and leadership appointments across the markets we serve. Our focus is on roles where experience, judgement, and cultural alignment are critical — typically mid- to senior-level management through to executive and board appointments.

How does working with Irving Knight benefit me?

You'll gain honest market insight, access to high-quality opportunities, and clear guidance throughout the process. Our aim is simple: to help you make the right move, at the right time, with confidence.

Do I need to pay for your services?

No. Our services are completely free for candidates. We are retained by our client partners to manage their hiring processes, meaning there is never a cost to you at any stage. Our role is to represent your interests professionally, provide guidance throughout the process, and help you assess opportunities objectively — without any financial obligation.

Will using your services put me at a disadvantage compared to direct applicants?

No — if anything, it gives you an advantage. We provide context, insight, and advocacy that ensure your experience and motivations are clearly understood from the outset. Our role is to strengthen your candidacy and guide you through a transparent, well-managed process.

What makes Irving Knight different from other recruitment firms?

We operate as a retained, partnership-led search firm rather than a transactional recruiter. That means fewer searches, deeper engagement, and a far higher level of commitment to outcomes. By combining sector specialism, market intelligence, and a disciplined search methodology, we deliver hires that are aligned not only to role requirements, but to culture, strategy, and long-term growth plans.

How do you find and assess candidates?

We don't rely on databases or job advertising alone. Our searches are driven by proactive market mapping, targeted outreach, and insight gained from long-standing sector networks. Candidates are assessed on capability, leadership style, cultural alignment, and long-term potential — not just CV fit — ensuring a robust and well-informed shortlist.

How do you approach confidential searches?

Confidentiality is fundamental to how we operate. Every search is handled with discretion, clear communication, and controlled market engagement. As your representative in the market, we protect your brand, manage messaging carefully, and ensure sensitive information is only shared when appropriate — safeguarding both your business and your candidates throughout the process.

What is your success rate in filling roles?

Our retained model is designed to deliver outcomes, not volume. Because we invest the time to fully understand the role, the business, and the wider context, we achieve a consistently high completion rate across our searches. More importantly, our focus is on long-term retention and impact, not short-term placement metrics.

What happens if a hire doesn't work out?

While our process is designed to minimise risk, we recognise that circumstances can change. In the rare event a placement doesn't succeed, we work closely with our client to address the situation and agree the most appropriate next steps. Our commitment is to the partnership and the outcome — not just the initial hire.

For more information on our CDMO & CRO services, get in touch with

Oliver Kiddy

Managing Director

Hundreds of 'Excellent' reviews

CDMO & CRO Executive Search

Helping CDMO & CRO companies unlock their next stage of growth

Specialisms We Cover

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients ADC ADME Antibodies API Bioanalytical Bioassay Biologics Blending Capsules Cell and Gene Cell Culture Cell Line Development Cell Therapy Clinical Clinical Supply CMO Commercial Manufacturing Contract Development Contract Manufacturing Contract Research Deblistering Discovery DMPK Dosage Forms Drug Product Drug Substance Early Phase Encapsulation Fill/Finish Gene Therapy Injectables Laboratory Services Large Molecule Late Phase Lyophilisation Mass Spectroscopy Organic Chemistry Peptides Preclinical Small Molecule Solid Oral Solid State Sterile Syringes Vaccines Vials Viral Vector

The global CDMO and CRO market is valued at over USD 200 billion, with sustained growth driven by pharmaceutical and biotech outsourcing, increasing pipeline complexity, regulatory intensity, and the need for speed, flexibility, and specialist expertise.

CDMOs and CROs sit at the centre of pharmaceutical, biotech, and life sciences innovation, enabling organisations to accelerate development, scale manufacturing, and navigate increasingly complex regulatory environments. As drug modalities diversify and development timelines compress, the sector faces rising demand for specialised capabilities across discovery, development, clinical research, and commercial-scale manufacturing. Innovation in advanced therapies, digital trials, and flexible manufacturing models continues to reshape the landscape.

Our commitment to the CDMO and CRO market sets us apart from traditional executive search firms. We partner with organisations across the life sciences ecosystem to secure highly specialised scientific, technical, and commercial talent. By aligning expertise with programme objectives and regulatory requirements, we help our clients accelerate development, scale with confidence, and build the leadership and specialist capability required to bring life-changing therapies to market.

CDMO and CRO hiring sits at the intersection of science, service, and execution.

These organizations support critical development and manufacturing programs, where delays, quality issues, or resource gaps can have far-reaching consequences. As pipelines grow and outsourcing models expand, teams must combine technical expertise with strong project delivery and client-facing capability.

Effective recruitment in CDMO and CRO environments requires an understanding of regulated operations and service-driven business models. Working with specialists who know how these organizations function enables faster, more accurate hiring decisions that protect delivery and long-term client relationships.

Case Study

Building out a strategic senior leadership teams to expedite global presence

Our clients were an already well established and respected CDMO due to their capabilities and the quality of service. Their struggle was breaking through into a previously neglected geographical territory and finding the right candidates to do so without losing them to alternate offers. Through Irving Knight’s exceptional candidate relationships, we were able to build out the strategic commercial team, resulting in exponential territory growth this year.

Case Study

Building out a strategic senior leadership teams to expedite global presence

Download our brochure

Learn more about our services, approach and the sectors we operate in.

Did you know?

Hiring the wrong candidate costs more than just time—it can waste salary, training resources, and opportunities. The Department of Labour estimates a bad hire can cost up to 30% of the role’s first-year earnings.

We hire right

Organisations are often reluctant to use external recruiters due the percieved cost. Think about it like this - what financial benefit could a top candidate bring to your business unit? You could make a 100x return on your investment.

97% Placement Rate 1
1.78:1 CVs Sent to Interviews 2
Avg. 32 Day Engagement to Placement 3

1. Based on all roles engaged on by a client on an exclusive basis from Jan 4 2025 - Dec 31 2025.

2. All CVs Sent from Jan 4 2025 - Dec 31 2025.

3. From Jan 4 2025 - Dec 31 2025.

Stats

387 active opportunities

1,908 placements made across 25 sectors

262,736 companies in our CRM

"At Irving Knight, we don't just fill positions; we build lasting partnerships. Our commitment to understanding your unique needs ensures that we deliver leaders who drive success and embody your company's values. When it comes to identifying the high-performers of tomorrow, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Our bespoke approach ensures every search is personal, diverse, and tailored from the ground up — delivering an individual, unrivalled experience for both clients and candidates. "

- Joe Davey, Group CEO of Irving Knight Group

Christoph Snaga

Investment Manager, Germany

Christopher from Irving Knight handled the overall process well and we managed to get to a successful completion smoo...

Christopher Clay

Real Estate & Homebuilding

Nathan Radue