Pay as you Grow: a recruitment subscription with no upfront fees
We find and place your hire. You pay a monthly fee per filled position, up to a maximum of 12 months, starting only when your new colleague starts. Unlimited eligible replacements and retention support are included. No retainers, no large invoice on day one.
Specialised in IT & Technology, iGaming & Digital Operations, and Executive Search. Working with clients in Israel, the USA, the UK, Malta, Cyprus and Romania.
The idea in 30 seconds
Most recruitment agencies charge a one-off success fee, usually 18–21% of the annual salary, with most of it due on the start date. The guarantee ends at probation. If the hire leaves in month five, you pay again.
Pay as you Grow replaces the one-off fee with a monthly one. We run the same search, to the same standard. When your new colleague starts, a subscription starts with them: a fixed monthly fee per filled position, for a minimum of 4 months and a maximum of 12. If the hire leaves during the term, we replace them at no extra fee. If the seat is vacant, billing pauses. After month 12, you owe nothing further.
This is not a retainer. Many "subscription recruitment" offers charge a flat monthly fee for recruiter time whether or not anyone is hired. Ours is tied to the hire: nothing while we search, a monthly fee only while the position is filled.
How it works
Brief us. Free.
A 30-minute discovery call to align on the role, the team, the culture and the KPIs that matter. We tell you which model we would recommend and send a written proposal.
We search. Still free.
Market mapping, direct headhunting, structured interviews and reference checks. A shortlist of around five vetted profiles within 15 to 21 working days. Nothing is invoiced.
Your hire starts. So does the subscription.
From the start date, one monthly invoice per filled position. Minimum 4 months, maximum 12.
We stay accountable.
An onboarding checklist, structured check-ins at one, two and six months, and unlimited eligible replacements for the whole term. After month 12 the hire is fully yours, with nothing further to pay.
Everything in the search, plus everything that keeps the seat filled
One point of contact. A dedicated consultant who knows your team and your roles, for the whole term.
The complete search. Role definition, market mapping, direct headhunting, structured interviews and reference checks.
A shortlist in 15–21 working days. Around five vetted, motivated profiles, not a stack of CVs.
Offer and negotiation support. Salary benchmarking and counter-offer risk management, so the process closes with confidence.
Unlimited eligible replacements. Resignation, dismissal or failed probation: we refill the seat at no extra fee while the subscription runs.
Onboarding and retention support. An onboarding checklist and structured follow-ups at one, two and six months.
Simple, salary-linked pricing
The subscription is 2% of the hire's annual gross salary per month, per filled position.
- Minimum term: 4 months
- Maximum term: 12 months, then nothing further
- Billing pauses while a position is vacant; unlimited eligible replacements included
- Bespoke rates for multi-seat partnerships
For comparison, a 20% success fee on the same hire is €9,600, with around €7,200 due on the start date.
Over a full year the two totals are in the same range.
The difference is when you pay, and what happens if the hire does not stay: under the subscription the replacement is included and your cost per seat is capped at 12 monthly instalments.
Subscription or success fee? You choose.
Same search, same standards, a different way to pay. Use the table, then tell us which you prefer. We will say plainly if we think the other model fits your situation better, and we reserve the right to offer only one model for a given engagement.
| Success fee | Recruitment subscription (Pay as you Grow) | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee basis | One-off, usually 18–21% of annual gross salary | 2% of annual gross salary per month, per filled position |
| When you pay | 75% at the start date, 25% after probation | Monthly from the start date; nothing during the search |
| Commitment | Per placement | 4-month minimum, 12-month maximum |
| Replacement cover | One replacement within probation | Unlimited eligible replacements for the whole term |
| If the position is eliminated | Fee already paid | Subscription ends after the minimum term |
| Cash flow | Front-loaded | Spread monthly, capped at 12 instalments |
| Best suited to | A single senior or executive search; one-off hires | Growing teams, several hires a year, roles with retention risk |
Success fee
- Fee basis
- One-off, usually 18–21% of annual gross salary
- When you pay
- 75% at the start date, 25% after probation
- Commitment
- Per placement
- Replacement cover
- One replacement within probation
- If the position is eliminated
- Fee already paid
- Cash flow
- Front-loaded
- Best suited to
- A single senior or executive search; one-off hires
Recruitment subscription (Pay as you Grow)
- Fee basis
- 2% of annual gross salary per month, per filled position
- When you pay
- Monthly from the start date; nothing during the search
- Commitment
- 4-month minimum, 12-month maximum
- Replacement cover
- Unlimited eligible replacements for the whole term
- If the position is eliminated
- Subscription ends after the minimum term
- Cash flow
- Spread monthly, capped at 12 instalments
- Best suited to
- Growing teams, several hires a year, roles with retention risk
Who chooses Pay as you Grow
The subscription fits
- Growth-stage and cash-conscious companies that would rather not pay 15% of a salary on day one
- Teams making several hires a year, where one-off fees add up quickly
- Roles where retention is a known risk and a second search is a real possibility
- Companies that want a recruitment partner accountable beyond the start date
The success fee fits
- A single senior or executive placement
- Companies that prefer one closed transaction with no ongoing relationship
- Recruitment budgets already set aside for one-off fees
- Situations where a monthly commitment does not suit your procurement process
The terms in plain English
Summary only. Our framework agreement governs.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a retainer or an outsourced recruitment team (RPO)?
No. You pay nothing while we search. The monthly fee is tied to a filled position and stops when the position is no longer filled or when the 12-month term ends, whichever comes first.
When is the first payment due?
Your first monthly invoice is issued after your new colleague's start date. There are no fees during the search or on offer acceptance.
What happens if the hire leaves after two months?
We replace them at no extra fee. Billing pauses while the seat is vacant and resumes when the replacement starts. Your cost for the seat never exceeds 12 monthly instalments, however many replacements it takes.
What counts as an eligible replacement?
Resignation, dismissal or failed probation while the subscription is active. The causes and exclusions are set out in the agreement you sign before the search begins.
Can we stop the subscription early?
The minimum term is 4 months and is payable in full. After that, the subscription ends early only if the position is permanently eliminated, confirmed in writing.
What happens after 12 months?
The subscription ends and nothing further is due. Clients who complete a full term qualify for preferential terms on their next search with HCR.
Can we use the subscription for several roles at once?
Yes. Each filled position carries its own monthly fee, and we offer bespoke terms for multi-seat partnerships. Ask us about a single agreement covering all your seats.
Do you still offer a classic success fee?
Yes. Both models are available and you choose between them. We will tell you plainly if we think the other model fits your situation better.
Ready to hire without the upfront fee?
Tell us about the role. We will confirm the monthly figure, the term and the timeline in writing before you commit to anything.