Bench International is one of the leading executive retained search experts and consulting firms serving the life sciences industries. Since its founding in 1974, our privately-held, owner-operated firm has built its reputation on setting a higher standard of accountability in the industry. Bench delivers performance-driven, client-focused execution of its retained assignments, with an enviable track record. The candidates we present are hired in more than 96% of our retained searches. Moreover, after five years more than 75% of our hires still remain with the client … and have been promoted at least once!
As the oldest life sciences executive retained search experts firm, Bench boasts a considerably vast network of associations, alliances and sustained partnerships. Our connections extend to a broad range of major industry firms seeking life sciences related, executive staffing. We also maintain an exceptional, thoroughly examined candidate database of nearly 50,000 life sciences professionals. With a milestone-accountable payment structure and the finest performance metrics in the business, our retained searches deliver far beyond the industry standard. Additionally, we cover a broad spectrum of competencies, including clinical, research, regulatory, general management, marketing and sales management, and supporting functions.
With headquarters in Los Angeles, California, and satellite offices in New York and the United Kingdom, Bench International’s multinational presence makes it one the largest retained executive search firms. The Bench International team comprises more than 30 seasoned executives with over 110 years of combined experience in life sciences recruiting. Each team member possesses an extensive background in industry leadership and superior expertise in recruitment. Our professionals embody and exemplify the very qualities our clients seek in their employees: experience, talent, stability, commitment and diversity. Moreover, our team approach delivers a larger, dedicated team than most standard retained or contingency firms.
Going above and beyond, our full-service approach also includes wide-ranging training programs and strategic consulting support, always with an eye toward our clients’ futures. We confer tremendous importance on retention. As such, we help ensure that clients not just fill a position in the moment, but foster an environment that nurtures its employees as retained assets over the long term.
Our Mission
Bench International strives to improve human health and facilitate optimum growth and success for our clients through a performance-based approach to recruiting, developing, retaining and integrating exceptional leaders.
Our History
In 1974, Denise DeMan founded Bench International with the motivation to establish a different kind of retained search firm. She recognized that the system as it was failed to truly serve the client, who muddles with competing conflicts of interest, image and revenue. Denise also identified the growing need for and value in a specialized retained search firm for international businesses seeking savvy professionals in the life sciences. As a medical scientist herself, she desired to build a distinguished company in this niche area that placed the staunch commitment to accountability, ethics and diversity above all else, even her own profit. Over 30 years later, this philosophy remains the cornerstone of Bench’s success.
As a woman-owned and woman–operated company, Bench is renowned for its proficiency at retaining top talent among women and ethnically diverse populations. Since 2001, these minority groups have accounted for 33% of the candidates we place. As well, Bench does not recruit placed candidates and believes in full disclosure – honorable commitments that make our work harder but serve our clients better.
Denise continues to base the firm’s best practices around a simple but salient credo: “A deal is never a good deal unless all parties are bettered by it once they leave the table.” Since its establishment, Bench continues to operate by this belief, exceeding industry standards and remaining a market leader for over 30 years.