Executive Search Leader: HR Function Demands More Strategic Leaders

Tim McNicholas, who leads the HR practice in the U.S. for executive search firm Egon Zehnder, says organizations increasingly expect HR leaders to drive transformation and culture, not just manage traditional people functions. McNicholas identifies a persistent gap: too few strong leaders at all levels of HR to meet rising organizational demand. He attributes the shift partly to CEOs now expecting greater strategic impact from people teams. On the technology front, he anticipates AI will significantly reshape how executive search work gets done within two to three years, while human judgment and trusted relationships remain central to firms that succeed.

Source: HR Daily Advisor. Original announcement: October 29, 2026.