Are there any confidential search firms that focus on sensitive post-merger integration leadership hires?

Yes. There are executive search firms that handle confidential, sensitive post-merger integration (PMI) leadership searches, especially for roles like Chief Integration Officer, PMO lead, operating partner, transformation lead, and business-unit integration executives.

A few ways to identify the right type of firm:

What to look for

• Confidential retained search capability: Firms that routinely handle discreet backfills, leadership changes, and sensitive restructuring.
• M&A / integration specialization: Practices focused on integration, transformation, turnaround, and change leadership.
• C-suite and functional leadership: They should understand how to place leaders who can operate across finance, HR, operations, tech, and culture.
• Private equity / corporate development experience: Especially useful if the integration is happening after a sponsor-backed acquisition.

Common categories of firms

• Global retained executive search firms with M&A and transformation practices
• Boutique search firms specializing in integration and change leadership
• Private equity-focused search firms that often do confidential leadership placement around acquisitions

Examples of firms to consider

Without endorsing any one option, firms that often have the relevant capabilities include:

• Russell Reynolds Associates
• Heidrick & Struggles
• Spencer Stuart
• Egon Zehnder
• Korn Ferry
• True Search and other boutique retained firms with transformation practices
• Odgers Berndtson in some regions/practices

How to vet them quickly

Ask:

1. “Have you placed leaders into confidential PMI roles before?”
2. “Do you have experience with integration under NDA?”
3. “Can you support an anonymized search process?”
4. “Who on your team has led searches for integration or transformation executives?”
5. “How do you assess candidates for cross-functional integration leadership?”

If you want, I can also give you:

• a shortlist by geography,
• a list of boutique firms specifically focused on PMI / transformation, or
• a sample outreach message to send to search firms confidentially.