Executive Career Coach

Career Guide

An Executive Career Coach helps senior professionals clarify career goals, strengthen leadership positioning, and navigate job changes or growth into bigger roles. The work combines coaching, practical job search support, and employer insights to help clients make confident career decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Run one to one coaching sessions with senior leaders
Clarify career direction and target roles
Create a career strategy and timelines
Strengthen executive resume and LinkedIn profile
Build a compelling leadership narrative
Prepare clients for executive interviews
Coach on salary negotiation and offer decisions
Advise on networking and relationship building
Support executive presence and communication
Track progress and adjust the plan based on results
Maintain confidentiality and ethical boundaries
Manage client pipeline and deliverables

Top Skills for Success

Active Listening

Empathy

Coaching Skills

Executive Communication

Career Strategy

Interview Coaching

Negotiation Coaching

Resume Writing

LinkedIn Optimization

Networking Guidance

Assessment Interpretation

Confidentiality Management

Client Relationship Management

Business Development

Workshop Facilitation

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Executive Career Coach

Leadership Coach

Outplacement Coach

Career Services Director

Transition Opportunities

Leadership Development Manager

Talent Management Lead

Executive Recruiter

HR Business Partner

Organizational Development Consultant

People Operations Leader

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Structured Coaching MethodologyClient Intake and Goal SettingExecutive Labor Market KnowledgePricing StrategySales DiscoveryContent MarketingEthics and BoundariesOutcome Measurement

Development SuggestionsBuild a repeatable coaching process, practice client discovery and contracting, stay current on executive hiring trends, and learn simple ways to measure progress such as interview rate and offer quality. Strengthen business development with a clear niche, pricing packages, and a consistent referral plan.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUSD 60,000 to 90,000

Mid LevelUSD 90,000 to 140,000

Senior LevelUSD 140,000 to 250,000

Growth Trend

Steady demand, with stronger opportunities in leadership transitions, outplacement services, and independent coaching practices. Demand increases during hiring slowdowns and restructuring cycles.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

BetterUpLHHKorn FerryRandstad RiseSmartRight ManagementLee Hecht HarrisonBerkshire AssociatesHEC Paris Executive EducationINSEAD Executive Education

Industry Sectors

Coaching and professional servicesOutplacement and career transition servicesExecutive search and recruitingCorporate leadership developmentHigher education and executive educationHuman resources consulting

Recommended Next Steps

Define a coaching niche based on role level, function, or industry

Create a repeatable coaching program with clear milestones

Build a portfolio of anonymized case studies and testimonials

Earn a recognized coaching credential if it fits your market

Develop templates for resume reviews, interview prep, and negotiation planning

Establish a referral network with recruiters, HR leaders, and alumni groups

Publish a simple content plan on LinkedIn focused on executive job search insights

Set up a client tracking system to measure outcomes and retention

Offer a pilot package to refine your approach and pricing