Sep 8, 2026
SEPTEMBER 2026 · A TWO - MINUTE READ
A bigger candidate pool won't find you a better leader.
Precision does.
Welcome to The Executive!
This newsletter offers a concise perspective on the talent market and what it means for leaders building what comes next.
In each edition, we'll share timely insights, executive hiring trends and practical considerations to help you make confident leadership decisions. Hey, that's what we do and why we love what we do!
A NOTE FROM MARCIA
Move with intention
Are you ready for the fall?
The market is offering leaders an important reminder: while the candidate pool may be larger, that does not necessarily make pivotal hires any easier. The right executive still needs the judgment, operating range, and cultural alignment to move the business forward.
My advice: start by getting clear on the outcomes the role must deliver before defining the resume you think you need. That clarity leads to a more focused search and, ultimately, a stronger placement. We clear the muddy waters and make search easy with the right communication.
We'd love to hear from you. Send me a message!
Marcia Zaruba O'Connor
CEO & Founder, 57th Street Partners
The Numbers that Matter
2.1 million
The gap between open roles and actual hires nationwide, as of June 2026. That's right, 2.1 MILLION!
More candidates in the market hasn't closed it. For consequential roles, volume was never the constraint, fit was. AI is helping, but the human touch is more important now than ever!
THE MARKET IN 60 SECONDS
Hiring is cooling. Precision matters more.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, July 2026 Employment Situation · BLS, June 2026 JOLTS
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57TH STREET PARTNERS IN ACTION
Executive Search Made Simple
57th Street Partners is an executive search firm that connects exceptional leaders with organizations ready to grow and transform.
We work across several industries: Life Sciences, Technology, Manufacturing, Non-Profits, and Professional Services.
Through retained executive search, we combine market insight, trusted relationships, and a highly personalized approach to identify leaders who align with each organization's culture, strategy, and long-term vision.
In practice: One recent CEO search took 30% longer to source than a typical hire, because the right candidate wasn't applying anywhere. The result: zero first-year turnover and a leadership team that hit its 12-month targets ahead of schedule.
Are you Ready for an Executive Hire?We recommend working with an executive search firm for senior roles over $200K in base salary. Growth and mounting pressure may signal the need for additional leadership, but they do not always mean an organization is ready to hire. ONE QUESTION FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
So, let's ask you a question now: if the role you want executive search to fill succeeds beyond expectations, what will be measurably different 12 months from now?
We recommend thinking this through before you start a search. Money is time, and time is money, we're here to help guide you through that conversation.
The gap between open roles and real hires isn't a sourcing problem, it's a precision problem. That's exactly what retained search is built to solve.
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