Business Details
16 Years
experience
Retained Executive Search Services in Austin, TX
Salvatore Balistreri Consulting is one of the top boutique retained executive search firms in the United States, specializing in delivering niche executive talent while building long-term client trust. Founded in 2010 by Salvatore Balistreri, a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in executive search since 1997, the firm combines a proven recruiting process with a boutique, agile approach. Our team brings top-tier leadership talent to organizations across financial services, retail, health, manufacturing, and nonprofit sectors, emphasizing cultural alignment and business acumen. We offer a value-added flat fee pricing model with zero administrative fees, ensuring transparency and cost-effectiveness for clients. With a strong industry network and social media recruitment strategies, we provide impeccable follow-up, a one-year guarantee on higher-level positions, and minimal blockage compared to large search firms.Our clients consistently describe the recruitment experience as best in class, reflecting our commitment to treating both candidates and clients as honored partners. The firm has completed over 300 executive searches since its inception, with expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Our team includes senior directors with extensive backgrounds in strategic talent acquisition and executive search consulting, ensuring a comprehensive approach to leadership placement. We serve clients nationwide, focusing on retained executive search assignments at the Chief, VP, and Director levels. Our mission is to deliver exceptional organizational and transformational value through a disciplined, collaborative, and transparent recruiting process.
Services
Retained Executive Search
Executive Outplacement
Cultural Alignment Consulting
Diversity Recruitment
Leadership Assessment
Details
- Year established: 2010
Highlights and features
- We offer a proven retained executive search process with over 300 completed searches since 1997.
- Our boutique firm combines agility with Top 5 search firm expertise.
- We implement a value-added flat fee pricing model with zero administrative fees.
- Our team excels at matching candidates with company culture and business objectives.
- We provide a one-year guarantee on higher-level executive placements.
What people say
Best in class recruitment experience
Exceptional organizational value
Strong cultural matching
Proven search process
Excellent follow-up
Services
Retained Executive Search
Our retained executive search service identifies top-tier leadership talent for C-level, VP, and Director positions. We combine boutique agility with Top 5 search firm expertise to deliver candidates who align with organizational culture and strategic goals. The process includes position assessment, candidate identification, cultural alignment evaluation, and offer negotiation support.
Executive Outplacement
This service supports executives in career transitions through resume counseling, strategic job search planning, and interview preparation. Our team leverages industry networks for targeted referrals while providing personalized guidance on image consulting and offer negotiations. The program includes mock interviews and tailored action plans to accelerate job placement.
Cultural Alignment Consulting
We specialize in assessing organizational culture and identifying executives who align with core values. Our approach combines behavioral interviewing techniques with leadership assessment tools to ensure candidates possess both the professional expertise and cultural fit required for long-term success within client organizations.
Diversity Recruitment
Our diversity recruitment practice focuses on building inclusive leadership teams through targeted outreach and bias-mitigation strategies. We leverage specialized networks and implement structured evaluation processes to identify qualified candidates from underrepresented groups while maintaining rigorous standards for professional competence.
Leadership Assessment
We conduct comprehensive leadership assessments using proven methodologies to evaluate candidates' strategic thinking, cultural fit, and organizational impact potential. Our process includes reference checks, behavioral assessments, and scenario-based evaluations to ensure candidates meet both technical requirements and leadership expectations.
People
Salvatore Balistreri
Founder
Founder of Salvatore Balistreri Consulting since 2010 with 25+ years in executive search. Completed 300+ searches across financial services, retail, health, and manufacturing sectors. Expert contributor to The Austin Business Journal.
Colleen Seeley
Senior Director of Talent Acquisition
Senior Director with expertise in strategic sourcing and executive talent mapping. Graduated from Texas A&M University with a Political Science degree. Combines strategic insight with people-first approach to recruitment and leadership development.
Jillian Johnston-Hines
Senior Director of Talent Acquisition
Senior Director with background in business and research. Bachelors degree in Theater Studies from University of Texas. Focuses on fostering meaningful connections that drive value across executive search engagements while supporting inclusive company culture.
Michelle Smead
Executive Search Consultant
25-year executive search veteran with experience at top global firms. Specializes in financial services, family-owned enterprises, and manufacturing sectors. Recognized for diversity recruitment expertise and leadership in DEI initiatives across executive placements.
Questions
What executive levels do you specialize in?
We focus on Chief, VP, and Director-level executive searches across multiple industries.
What industries do you serve?
We specialize in financial services, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and nonprofit sectors.
What makes your search process unique?
Our process combines boutique agility with Top 5 search firm expertise and cultural alignment focus.
Do you offer pricing transparency?
Yes, we use a flat fee pricing model with zero administrative fees paid in three installments.
What geographic areas do you cover?
While based in Austin, Texas, we conduct executive searches nationwide.
Do you provide post-placement support?
Yes, we offer a one-year guarantee and ongoing candidate mentoring through offer negotiations.
