Flexible partnership models.
Every business is different, so Scale Health prices on the complexity of the assignment rather than one-size-fits-all fees.
Scale Health prices on assignment complexity, not a flat percentage. Contingency suits single, well-defined hires; retained search fits confidential or board-level mandates; fractional leadership is a monthly day-rate commitment; volume partnerships discount per-hire cost across a clinical delivery programme. Every model includes market mapping, qualification notes and offer management.
How does Scale Health price its work? | Reviewed August 2026
Contingency Search
Fees paid on successful placement. Suited to defined, single hires where speed matters and the brief is clear.
Retained Executive Search
Committed, confidential search for leadership hires, full market mapping, structured assessment and managed process.
Fractional Leadership
Senior commercial, operational or clinical expertise engaged part-time, priced by the scope and length of the engagement.
Volume Partnerships
Multi-hire and ongoing build-out programmes, priced as a partnership rather than per placement.
Flexible Payment Structures
Staged, deferred or milestone-based payment where cash flow, funding rounds or board approval require it.
What's included, whichever model
- ✓A named partner who knows your business, your market and your stage of growth
- ✓Confidential market mapping across active and passive candidates
- ✓Detailed qualification notes, motivations and assessment on every shortlisted candidate
- ✓Interview scheduling, feedback, offer management and onboarding handled end to end
- ✓Ongoing market intelligence and proactive introductions after placement
Questions we get asked about fees
How much does healthcare recruitment cost in the UK?
Contingency search in regulated UK health is usually charged as a percentage of first-year base salary, retained search is staged across engagement, shortlist and placement, and fractional leadership is billed as a monthly day-rate commitment. Scale Health quotes against the complexity of the assignment, so ask for a figure on your specific brief.
What is the difference between contingency and retained search?
Contingency means you pay only on placement, which works for single, well-defined hires in a liquid market. Retained means you commit up front and we commit dedicated mapping capacity, which is what confidential, board-level or scarce clinical leadership mandates need.
When does fractional leadership make more sense than a permanent hire?
When the need is senior judgement rather than a full-time seat: a Medical Director for governance sign-off, a commercial leader to build the first channel motion, or a clinical lead through a CQC cycle. It is typically one to three days a week on a rolling commitment.
Do you offer volume or partnership pricing for clinical delivery?
Yes. Where a provider is staffing a pathway rather than filling a role, we price the programme rather than the individual hire, which lowers cost per placement and lets us hold a warm bench against forecast demand.
Ready to build your next leadership team?
If you're serious about growth, let's have a proper conversation. Scale Health asks for at least 30 minutes so we can understand your business and recommend the right approach.
- Coverage
- Scale Health is London-based, partnering with independent healthcare providers across the UK and Europe.
- Response time
- One working day, from a person who has read your brief.