headhunter

[ hed-huhn-ter ]

noun

1. a person who engages in headhunting.
2. a personnel recruiter for a corporation or executive recruitment agency.
3. an executive recruitment agency.

Word History and Origins

Origin of headhunter¹

First recorded in 1850–55; head + hunter

Example Sentences

“Is a terrorist organization going to send their headhunter to an American comedy club?”

From Los Angeles Times

In March, the city hired the Northern California-based headhunter Bob Murray & Associates to conduct the nationwide chief search — the same firm that helped pick Bratton more than two decades ago.

From Los Angeles Times

The city finalized a deal with the Northern California-based headhunter Bob Murray & Associates on March 1, but didn’t announce the decision until Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners.

From Los Angeles Times

The Hammer board will need time to select a headhunter to begin the sure-to-be-lengthy search for a new director.

From Los Angeles Times

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, was paid $10.3 million in commissions over seven years from her job as a headhunter at the company, where she placed attorneys with law firms—including at least one that argued a case before the Supreme Court after the placement was made.

From Salon

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