Business Details
25 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Customized Recruiting Solutions
Founded in 2001, Locke and KEY has established itself as a flexible, value-driven recruiting and consulting firm dedicated to simplifying the hiring process for businesses across diverse industries. Our team brings decades of experience from both retained executive search firms and in-house recruitment roles, enabling us to offer tailored solutions that combine the expertise of traditional search firms with the cost-effectiveness of hourly-based services. We specialize in customizing our approach to meet specific client needs, whether through full-service executive searches, contract recruitment support, or supplemental services for internal HR teams.Our commitment to transparency, detailed candidate evaluation, and real-time communicationincluding verbatim interview transcriptsensures clients maintain control over hiring decisions while minimizing risk. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, we serve organizations nationwide and globally, prioritizing long-term relationships built on trust, integrity, and measurable results.
Services
Executive Search
Contract Recruiter
Contingency Search
Passive Candidate Sourcing
Job Posting Assistance
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of executive search experience across diverse industries.
- Our personalized service includes verbatim interview transcripts for transparency.
- No minimum fees with flexible, unbundled service options available.
- We specialize in cross-industry expertise from tech to healthcare.
- Dedicated follow-up ensures smooth candidate onboarding and retention.
What people say
Excellent communication
Professional and honest
Successful candidate fit
Detailed updates
Witty and supportive
Services
Executive Search
Our executive search service identifies top-tier leadership talent for C-suite, VP, and director-level roles. We conduct in-depth market research, target specific companies, and evaluate candidates' strategic alignment with client goals. Our process includes detailed position profiling, candidate interviews, reference checks, and compensation negotiation to ensure optimal leadership matches.
Contract Recruiter
This service provides dedicated on-site recruitment support for time-sensitive or high-volume hiring needs. Our contract recruiters integrate with client teams to manage candidate pipelines, coordinate interviews, and maintain consistent hiring processes. Ideal for seasonal businesses or organizations scaling operations without long-term HR commitments.
Contingency Search
Our contingency search support enhances traditional recruitment by adding detailed candidate evaluations. We conduct structured interviews, provide verbatim transcripts, and perform thorough reference checks for candidates presented by contingency firms. This ensures clients receive comprehensive insights beyond standard resume submissions.
Passive Candidate Sourcing
This service identifies qualified professionals not actively seeking jobs through targeted market research and networking. We evaluate candidates' qualifications, career motivations, and cultural fit while maintaining confidentiality. Ideal for specialized roles requiring discreet recruitment approaches.
Job Posting Assistance
Our job posting service optimizes position descriptions to attract qualified applicants. We enhance listings for digital platforms, manage candidate screening processes, and provide interview support. This includes resume evaluation, structured phone interviews, and detailed candidate assessments to streamline internal hiring workflows.
People
Lisa Locke
President and Founder
Lisa Locke founded Locke and KEY in 2001 after 15+ years in executive search and in-house recruitment roles. She holds an MBA in Marketing and has placed candidates across industries, from CEOs to administrative professionals. A former faculty member at the University of Phoenix, she actively participates in business and community organizations.
Sarah Jane Anderson
Sarah Jane Anderson contributes to Locke and KEY's recruitment operations with expertise in candidate evaluation and client relations.
Sharon Beatty
Sharon Beatty supports Locke and KEY's staffing solutions with a focus on matching candidates to organizational cultures.
Patrick Donahue
Patrick Donahue assists with executive search initiatives, leveraging industry connections to identify leadership talent.
Karen Iacano
Karen Iacano specializes in contract recruitment support, helping clients scale hiring operations efficiently.
Questions
What services does Locke and KEY offer?
We provide executive search, contract recruitment, contingency search support, passive candidate sourcing, and job posting assistance tailored to client needs.
How are your fees structured?
Our services are hourly-based with no minimum fees, allowing clients to control costs while accessing customizable recruitment solutions.
Do you work with all industries?
Yes, we serve diverse sectors including tech, healthcare, food and beverage, professional services, and nonprofits.
What differentiates your firm from competitors?
We offer verbatim interview transcripts, flexible unbundled services, and personalized follow-up without long-term contracts.
Can you assist with urgent hiring needs?
Yes, our contract recruiter service provides dedicated on-site support for time-sensitive, high-volume hiring requirements.
