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Read the NoticeWell-diversified industrial base, high GDP growth
Recruiting the top candidates in Edmonton can be challenging. As both the capital and economic center of Alberta, Edmonton has an active employment market to match its diverse and growing economy. Lock Search Group offers headhunter, recruiting, and consultancy services to human resource management teams and hiring leaders across this dynamic city, providing deep expertise, advanced technology, and a client-centric approach.
High potential economic sectors in Edmonton
Edmonton has generated 25% of all new net jobs in Canada over the past five years. Key advantages for employers in the city include a highly skilled workforce, abundant natural resources, and an affordable cost of doing business. The Conference Board of Canada rates Edmonton’s economic diversity at 9 out of 10, with major sectors such as petrochemical, manufacturing, transportation & logistics, environmental engineering, agribusiness, clean-tech, industrial hemp, and life sciences. The rapid growth in these industries, coupled with Edmonton’s documented labour shortage, underscores the importance of specialized recruitment and executive search.
However, this economic diversity can also complicate the recruitment process, making it challenging for organizations to find and hire qualified professionals. With many companies competing for job seekers possessing in-demand skills, partnering with an experienced and well-connected recruiting firm can significantly enhance your ability to fill open positions effectively. Our talent acquisition methodology, including market mapping, competency-based assessments, and targeted sourcing, directly addresses these recruitment challenges, enabling your organization to secure the right talent.
Lock Search Group’s distinctive “contained” executive search model combines the thoroughness of traditional retained search with performance-based accountability to deliver exceptional C-suite and senior leadership talent. Our proven three-phase methodology, led by experienced Senior Consultants and backed by dedicated industry-specific recruitment teams, ensures comprehensive coverage of the executive talent market. We leverage our national network and extensive research capabilities to track industry movements, mergers, acquisitions, and leadership changes, providing clients with real-time market intelligence. Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles ensures we source the absolute best available talent without bias, maintaining a fair and equitable search process. Our track record speaks for itself, with successful placements including Board Members, CEOs, CFOs, Presidents, and numerous Vice Presidents across multiple functions and industries.
Why it matters in Edmonton: Executive leadership turnover in Alberta’s energy, construction and tech firms is 18 % higher than the national average; our contained model mitigates risk by mapping the entire province‑wide candidate pool before any outreach begins.
Our Retained Search service establishes an exclusive partnership with organizations seeking to fill critical senior and mid-level positions through a comprehensive, priority-based approach. By dedicating our full resources and attention to your search, we conduct extensive market mapping and develop robust talent pipelines that ensure access to the highest caliber candidates. Our team provides regular progress updates and detailed market intelligence reports, keeping you informed throughout the entire search process. We manage everything from initial candidate assessment through final offer negotiation, ensuring a smooth and professional experience for both clients and candidates. This service includes post-placement integration support to ensure successful onboarding and long-term success of placed candidates.
Local advantage: Our priority partnership uncovers passive talent within Edmonton’s tight‑knit professional community, which is critical when competing with Calgary and US‑based employers for sought‑after skills.
Our Contingency Search service offers a flexible, success-based recruiting solution designed to efficiently fill professional and technical positions with qualified talent. Organizations benefit from immediate access to our extensive candidate database and network, with payment required only upon successful placement. Our streamlined recruitment process focuses on quick response times and efficient candidate presentation, making it ideal for time-sensitive placements and organizations with variable hiring needs. We handle all aspects of the recruitment process, from initial screening through offer negotiation, while maintaining the flexibility to work alongside other agencies if desired. This results-driven approach ensures we remain highly motivated to identify and secure the right talent for your organization while minimizing your upfront investment.
When to use: Ideal for mid‑level roles where Edmonton’s labour shortage drives time‑sensitive needs. You pay only when we place, but still benefit from our proprietary talent acquisition database.
Recruiting in life sciences demands expertise in rapidly evolving fields like genomics, precision medicine, and biotechnology, where sourcing candidates with advanced scientific credentials and niche technical skills—such as regulatory compliance or clinical trial management—is critical. Success hinges on understanding specialized terminology, tracking innovations in areas like cell therapy and AI-driven drug discovery, and navigating a competitive talent pool for roles spanning executive leadership to highly technical positions in regulated environments.
View moreRecruiting in the consumer packaged goods sector demands expertise in navigating digital transformation, including e-commerce and data-driven omnichannel strategies, while balancing traditional sales and marketing roles with emerging needs in sustainability, supply chain innovation, and private label development. Success requires targeting professionals adept at adapting to shifting consumer behaviors, direct-to-consumer models, and cross-functional collaboration across diverse sub-sectors like food tech, beverage, and retail.
View moreRecruiting in the industrial sector requires navigating a broad spectrum of technical and operational roles, from skilled trades and supply chain specialists to engineers and data-driven innovators, while addressing the rapid integration of automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Success hinges on understanding niche industry demands, cross-functional collaboration needs, and the evolving balance between traditional industrial expertise and emerging digital competencies in a resource-driven global market.
View moreB2B recruitment requires identifying professionals with specialized technical expertise and refined soft skills like negotiation and strategic communication, while navigating a competitive talent pool where candidates must understand both client industries and evolving technological demands. Success in this sector hinges on accessing niche skill sets across diverse verticals—from AdTech to insurance technology—and matching candidates who combine sector-specific knowledge with the ability to bridge complex business-to-business relationships.
View moreRecruiting in technology requires navigating a highly competitive landscape where demand for specialized skills in areas like AI, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure spans industries beyond traditional tech sectors, intensifying talent scarcity. Effective recruitment hinges on understanding evolving technical expertise, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the ability to assess niche capabilities in fast-paced environments where innovation outpaces candidate supply.
View moreRecruiting in accounting requires balancing technical expertise in areas like regulatory compliance and financial reporting with cultural alignment, as candidates must adapt to evolving technologies and industry-specific challenges such as tax law complexity and audit transparency demands. Success hinges on sourcing both active and passive talent who demonstrate not only proficiency in specialized roles—from controllers to financial analysts—but also the soft skills to navigate organizational dynamics and drive long-term strategic financial health.
View moreThe automotive sector’s rapid evolution driven by autonomous systems, electrification, and advanced safety technologies necessitates recruitment strategies that prioritize candidates with expertise in ICT, AI, and interdisciplinary mechatronics integration. Recruiters must navigate a dynamic landscape of OEMs, tiered suppliers, and dealership networks, focusing on roles bridging technical innovation with operational leadership to meet demands for next-generation vehicle development and digital transformation.
View moreRecruiting in the beverage and alcohol industry requires expertise in navigating evolving consumer trends like plant-based innovations, premiumization, and sustainability-driven packaging, while targeting talent skilled in data-driven marketing, supply chain optimization, and cross-functional leadership. Success hinges on understanding niche demands such as non-alcoholic product development, regulatory compliance, and global market expansion strategies tied to shifting consumption patterns.
View moreBiotechnology recruiting requires deep expertise in rapidly evolving scientific disciplines such as genetic engineering, bioinformatics, and pharmaceutical development, where demand for niche technical skills like digital drug discovery and medical robotics often outpaces available talent. Success hinges on balancing rigorous technical vetting with cultural alignment, as roles demand both specialized expertise—from DNA sequencing to regulatory compliance—and adaptability to innovations in sustainability, automation, and personalized medicine.
View moreRecruiting in construction increasingly prioritizes expertise in sustainable practices, green technologies, and advanced digital tools like AI and robotics, driven by climate-conscious projects and smart infrastructure demands. The sector faces acute shortages in skilled trades and specialized roles, requiring recruiters to balance technical proficiency with adaptability to evolving compliance standards and cross-functional collaboration needs in large-scale projects.
View moreRecruiting in digital and artificial intelligence demands expertise in emerging interdisciplinary technologies like machine learning, robotics, and big data analytics, requiring recruiters to identify candidates who can innovate in complex fields such as medical robotics, neurotechnology, and autonomous systems. This specialization involves sourcing talent for roles ranging from AI ethics compliance and quantum computing research to human-centered UX design, while anticipating how evolving tools like generative AI might reshape industry needs.
View moreEngineering recruitment requires navigating a complex landscape of specialized disciplines from mechatronics to nanotechnology, where demand for technical expertise often outpaces supply due to rapid technological advancements and industry-specific regulatory requirements. Success hinges on understanding niche skill sets across sectors like robotics, nuclear systems, and biomedical innovation while addressing candidates’ priorities for cutting-edge projects and cross-disciplinary collaboration in a competitive talent market.
View moreRecruiting in finance requires balancing technical expertise in areas like regulatory compliance and financial analysis with cultural alignment, particularly for private equity and venture capital firms managing portfolio companies. The sector demands adaptability to emerging technologies and diversity initiatives while navigating competitive talent pipelines for specialized roles ranging from risk management to C-suite leadership.
View moreRecruiting in the food service sector requires identifying candidates who can navigate evolving consumer demands around health and sustainability while driving innovation in areas like supply chain optimization, data-driven product development, and digital customer engagement strategies. Specialized roles demand expertise in balancing operational efficiency with technological adoption across manufacturing, hospitality, and distribution landscapes to maintain competitive advantage in a rapidly transforming industry.
View moreThe hard goods sector faces rapid technological transformation across retail AI, manufacturing robotics, and digital marketing, requiring recruiters to identify candidates adept at navigating innovation while maintaining strict compliance, safety standards, and cost-effective production in durable goods markets. Success hinges on sourcing professionals with hybrid expertise in builder channel development, supply chain optimization, and data-driven analytics to balance sustainability demands with the pressures of global competition in hardware and durable consumer goods industries.
View moreRecruiting in the Human Resources sector requires a nuanced understanding of evolving roles that blend strategic business alignment with administrative expertise, including compensation structures, diversity initiatives, and employee relations. Success hinges on identifying professionals adept at leveraging data-driven workforce planning, navigating complex labor regulations, and designing competitive benefits packages to attract top talent in a dynamic employment landscape.
View moreRecruiting in information technology requires deep expertise in rapidly evolving technical domains like cybersecurity, AI, and data science, necessitating recruiters to balance niche technical proficiency with an understanding of cross-industry applications. Success hinges on identifying candidates who blend specialized skills in areas like cloud infrastructure or UX design with adaptability to emerging technologies, while navigating a competitive landscape that spans multinational enterprises, agile startups, and transformative digital initiatives.
View moreCanadian manufacturing recruitment faces evolving challenges from sustainability demands and global competition, requiring expertise in both traditional operational roles and emerging fields like automation and AI-driven supply chain optimization. Success in this sector demands deep understanding of industry-specific technological advancements and access to professionals who balance quality production with environmental stewardship and cost efficiency.
View moreRecruiting in the medical device sector demands expertise in emerging technologies like AI-driven diagnostics, robotics, and software-as-a-medical-device (SaMD), while navigating a competitive landscape for candidates skilled in regulatory compliance and commercialization. Success hinges on identifying professionals who bridge technical innovation with commercial acumen, particularly in specialized areas such as personalized medicine and supply chain optimization, where industry advancements outpace talent availability.
View moreRecruiting in the insurance sector requires balancing traditional industry expertise with emerging technological fluency, as InsurTech innovations, AI integration, and predictive analytics reshape roles like underwriting and claims management. Success hinges on identifying candidates with hybrid skills in risk assessment and digital tools while navigating a competitive market for specialized professionals who understand evolving regulatory frameworks and global operational demands.
View moreRecruiting in the legal sector demands expertise in navigating specialized fields such as corporate compliance, intellectual property, and environmental law, where candidates must balance deep regulatory knowledge with adaptability to evolving digital tools like AI-driven research platforms. Success hinges on aligning technically proficient candidates with firms undergoing rapid transformation, while addressing competitive talent shortages exacerbated by increased corporate transactions and cross-border legal complexities.
View moreOperations recruitment has evolved significantly with digital transformation, requiring expertise in emerging technologies like AI, robotics, and data-driven supply chain strategies while maintaining core competencies in production optimization and quality assurance. The field now demands recruiters who can identify candidates adept at balancing traditional operational frameworks with innovative customer experience enhancements and lean manufacturing principles in a rapidly changing industrial landscape.
View moreRecruiting in the pharmaceutical industry requires deep expertise across diverse roles, from laboratory-based research and development to clinical trials management, regulatory affairs, drug manufacturing, and pharmaceutical sales[1]. The field is experiencing robust growth with a 14% projected increase in career opportunities, particularly in emerging areas like AI-driven drug discovery, personalized medicine, antibody development, DNA sequencing, and medical robotics, making it essential to identify candidates who can drive innovation while navigating complex regulatory requirements.
View morePrivate equity and venture capital recruiting requires identifying professionals who can navigate both investment strategy and operational leadership, particularly for portfolio companies in specialized sectors where investors may lack direct industry expertise. Successful recruitment hinges on deep financial acumen, cross-industry knowledge, and the ability to source candidates who combine strategic vision with hands-on execution capabilities across diverse business stages.
View moreRecruiting in the renewable energy sector requires expertise in bridging cutting-edge technical innovation with rapidly evolving sustainability demands, as organizations seek professionals skilled in emerging fields like hydrogen energy, carbon capture, and AI-driven energy systems. Success hinges on identifying candidates who combine traditional engineering competencies with adaptability to digital transformation, while navigating a highly competitive market shaped by global decarbonization goals and shifting regulatory landscapes.
View moreRetail recruiting has become increasingly focused on digital transformation expertise, driven by accelerated shifts to online platforms and omnichannel strategies, requiring candidates skilled in e-commerce, AI-driven analytics, and consumer behavior adaptation. Success demands recruiters with deep industry networks, technological fluency to assess digital capabilities, and the ability to identify leaders who can navigate evolving retail ecosystems spanning physical stores, digital marketplaces, and emerging technologies.
View moreRecruiting in the SaaS sector requires adaptability to rapid technological shifts and remote work dynamics, emphasizing expertise in onboarding distributed teams while ensuring alignment with evolving digital branding and customer experience priorities. The field demands recruiters with deep technical acumen and national networks to identify talent capable of driving subscription-based solutions in competitive, fast-paced markets like e-commerce and telehealth.
View moreRecruiting in scientific and clinical research demands expertise in sourcing specialists for AI-integrated drug development, genomic sequencing, and regulatory compliance, where technical precision and cross-disciplinary collaboration are critical. The field requires balancing rapid technological advancements with stringent ethical standards, while addressing shortages in roles requiring hybrid skills in data science, biotechnology, and clinical trial management.
View moreRecruiting in supply chain and logistics requires addressing critical talent shortages in a sector driving 750,000+ Canadian jobs, while targeting specialized roles like supply chain analysts and logistics directors with certifications (CSCP, APICS) across manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and tech-driven industries. Success demands balancing technical expertise with adaptability to digital transformations like AI integration while navigating sector-specific challenges in global sourcing, distribution networks, and evolving sustainability requirements.
View moreSince day one, our formula for success has been simple: care deeply, and deliver. We know that your next hire could be the one who changes everything for your team, and we pride ourselves on helping you close the deal with the talent who can take you to the next level.
Our founder’s entrepreneurial grit reaches from coast to coast, and you can expect the same delivery-driven, passionately-proven partnership in any one of the Lock team’s 12 offices. With consultants who boast average tenures of a decade or more, we’re not messing around –– we’re here to make the match that measures up.
What is your story, and what’s the story behind it? Our client-centric focus puts you and your specific goals firmly at the heart of our search process. We’re here to listen.
You’ll receive an individual action plan when you work with Lock, and we’ll be right on the same page every step of the way: what we will do, how you’ll see it happen, and when to expect results will all be clearly defined from the very beginning.
We’ve been building incredible teams at Lock since 1983. In that time, we’ve crafted a strong network of business leaders, decision makers, and influencers.
But that’s only half of the story. Our recruiters make genuine connections because they’ve lived their industries, and they understand the field’s unique nuances, needs, and subtleties from the inside out. No matter your business, the cutting edge is where you’ll find us.
We use a three part approach for all of our searches.
Recruitment focuses on filling current vacancies (often mid‑level roles) using advertising and database sourcing. Executive search is a retained, research‑driven process that targets senior leaders and board‑level talent, requiring deeper market mapping, candidate vetting, and confidentiality.
Retained search is the better option when the role is at the vice‑president level or higher, when confidentiality is critical, or when specialised expertise is scarce in the Edmonton labour market. Contingency search, paid only on placement, suits mid‑level hiring where time‑to‑fill is important but exclusivity is not.
Energy and petro‑chemical, construction, advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, clean technology, life sciences and health care, software and SaaS, transportation and logistics, and the wider industrial and professional‑services sectors.
BuildForce Canada forecasts that Alberta’s construction industry alone must recruit around 59,000 additional workers by 2034 to replace retirees and meet project growth. Lock Search Group mitigates such shortages by mapping the entire provincial talent pool, then using competency‑based interviews to create shortlists faster than advertising alone can deliver.
Most senior searches close in six to ten weeks. Clients receive a first shortlist in roughly 15 business days, and reference checks plus offer negotiation complete the remaining timeline.
The firm provides a replacement guarantee that begins on the candidate’s start date; if a placement departs for performance‑related reasons within the guarantee window, Lock Search Group will conduct a new search at no additional professional fee. Specific terms and length are set in each client contract.
No. All search fees are paid by the hiring organisation. Candidates receive guidance and feedback at no cost throughout the recruitment process.
Employers can submit a brief on the Contact page or speak directly with an Edmonton‑based consultant. Job seekers can apply to posted roles or upload a resume through the opportunities page; a consultant will reach out if a suitable match arises.