Construct Executive Search operates at the intersection of reward strategy, remuneration governance, and retained executive search — delivering independent advisory and exclusive search mandates to organisations that demand precision, not generality.
“We share your ambition. We absolutely love & enjoy what we do.”
Construct Executive Search operates at the intersection of reward strategy, remuneration governance, and retained executive search — delivering independent advisory and exclusive search mandates to organisations that demand precision, not generality.
“We share your ambition. We absolutely love & enjoy what we do.”
Construct Executive Search (CES) was founded with a clear vision: to connect exceptional talent with organisations poised for growth and impact. What began over a decade ago in the heart of Sandton, Johannesburg — without a track record or an established name — has since evolved into one of South Africa's most respected retained executive search and Total Rewards advisory practices.
Today, CES is a proudly female-owned and female-led organisation, headquartered in Johannesburg, with a presence in Cape Town and a growing footprint in Lusaka, Zambia. We serve clients across Southern Africa, delivering remuneration advisory and retained search solutions that are strategic, ethical, and impactful.
Remuneration is not a line item. It is your retention strategy.
CES made a deliberate strategic decision: to position Total Rewards advisory at the centre of our practice. This was not a commercial pivot — it was the natural evolution of twelve years spent observing why exceptional leaders leave, why critical offers are declined, and why organisations lose their best people to competitors paying fractionally more. Reward strategy is where executive search and organisational sustainability converge.
After conducting hundreds of retained searches across South Africa and the continent, a pattern emerged. The challenge was rarely finding exceptional candidates. The challenge was retaining them after placement, structuring competitive offers that were actually accepted, and advising clients whose pay frameworks had drifted significantly below market.
"When remuneration is misaligned, search becomes a revolving door. Total Rewards advisory breaks that cycle by addressing the root cause — not the symptom."
Independent, accredited, and embedded in every retained mandate CES conducts.
Market-aligned remuneration is the single most controllable variable in offer acceptance. Independent benchmarking closes the gap between what your organisation believes is competitive and what the talent market actually demands.
An executive appointed on a below-market package begins their tenure with a resentment-clock ticking. Total Rewards advisory ensures that the organisations we search for — and the candidates we place — are set up for long-term mutual success.
Remuneration Committees (REMCOs) carry fiduciary accountability for remuneration decisions. Organisations with defensible, independently validated pay frameworks reduce legal exposure, shareholder risk, and internal equity challenges.
In technical and professional disciplines where the talent pool is finite, reward strategy is not a nice-to-have — it is the difference between retaining institutional knowledge and watching it walk out the door to a competitor.
Internal reward teams cannot be fully objective about their own structures. An independent Total Rewards specialist brings market data, professional accreditation, and impartial analysis — producing recommendations that withstand internal scrutiny, audit review, and, if necessary, legal challenge.
CES supports boards and executive teams with leadership appointments that directly influence organisational performance, culture, and long-term value. Our methodology combines sector insight, research depth, and disciplined assessment.
"Sector insight, research depth, and disciplined assessment—delivering leaders who fit both role and organisation."
Deep sector expertise across Africa's most vital and fast-growing industries.
Built from a one-person startup in Johannesburg into a respected Pan-African agency—with an unwavering commitment to excellence and authentic client relationships.
Our recruiters are exceptionally skilled at identifying top talent globally and matching them to client needs. CES has an 85% fill ratio for every open position we partner on.
Adaptable engagement models to accommodate the individual needs of each client—from SMEs to large corporates and boards.
We act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership across Southern Africa, with the discretion and depth that critical appointments demand.
CES was built from the ground up by its founder, who was the sole employee at the time. There were no shortcuts, no guarantees—just an unwavering belief in the mission and the drive to make a meaningful mark in the recruitment industry.
The pivotal moment came when one of South Africa's top five construction firms believed in the founder and her vision, leading to the first successful placement and laying the foundation for what CES would become.
"We still remember those early days: working through the December holidays, chasing leads, and holding onto the hope that one response could change everything."
A born entrepreneur managing a professional services company in a male-dominated and competitive sector. Kabwe is a Pan-African multi-award winner and fellow on programmes including EY Winning Women, P&G WEConnect, SEDA, and Lionesses of Africa digital accelerator.
She was recently nominated as a Business Mentor for the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, shaping the future of Southern Africa.
When leadership decisions carry material risk, retained executive search provides depth, discipline, and certainty. CES works exclusively with boards, CEOs, and founders on senior appointments through a structured, confidential process.
Deep alignment on role, success measures, and leadership context.
Proactive identification of leadership talent not in the open market.
Discreet engagement of active and passive senior candidates.
Rigorous evaluation and shortlist delivery with full insights.
Through offer, onboarding, and well beyond the start date.
A structured five-step approach that delivers three fully vetted, interview-ready candidates per role, not piles of unfiltered applications.
Structured consultation and job analysis to define role, requirements, and candidate profile.
Targeted, high-performance job board strategy, focused on quality reach, not mass posting.
Database matching, referral networks, and headhunting to access both active and passive talent.
Rigorous screening and interviews, resulting in a shortlist of three best-fit candidates.
Professionally formatted CVs, complete with screening insights, ready for final client decision.
Complete, sign, and submit your Retained Search Mandate Agreement directly below. A CES director will contact you within one business day to confirm the briefing schedule and commence the retained search process.
CES
Construct Executive Search
APSO Member · SARA Registered · B-BBEE Aligned · SABPP Accredited
CES will countersign and return a copy within one business day. A director will contact you to schedule your formal briefing session.
Ready to discuss a retained mandate, a Total Rewards remuneration advisory engagement, or a REMCO brief? Book directly into Kabwe's calendar — no intermediaries, no gatekeeping.
All sessions are 30 minutes. A pre-meeting brief is sent upon confirmation. CES operates SAST (UTC+2). Available for South Africa, Africa, and international clients.
Whether you're filling a senior position, need salary benchmarking, or want to strengthen your workforce, our team is ready to partner with you.