KING SEARCH

Proven success. Precision execution. Practical Price Point.

King Search empowers academic medical centers with precision recruitment rooted in quality, integrity, and innovation.

We don’t simply fill positions—we elevate institutions by connecting them with visionary leaders who drive medical progress and transform patient care.

Elite Partnerships: Trusted by premier medical schools to recruit transformative leaders—Academic Deans, Department Chairs, Division Chiefs, and top-tier Faculty.

Unrivaled Access: As a boutique firm, we tap into the full national candidate pool, unrestricted by client conflicts that limit larger firms.

Legacy of Excellence: Our disciplined, personalized search process—honed over 40 years—ensures alignment with your institution’s mission, culture, and strategic goals.

ABOUT US

King Search, LLC is a distinguished boutique search firm headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing exclusively in Academic Leadership and Faculty recruitment. Led by industry pioneer David King, our firm is trusted by elite medical schools across the nation to identify and place transformational leaders who advance the future of academic medicine.

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OUR STORY

Led by Vision. Defined by Integrity. Built for Impact.

40 Years of Vision, Integrity, and Impact in Academic Medicine

A Legacy of Leadership

David King, Founder & President of King Search, LLC, is a nationally recognized authority in academic executive and physician recruitment. With over 40 years of experience, he has helped shape the future of healthcare leadership through innovation, personal service, and unmatched expertise.

Boutique by Design

David’s career began at Jackson & Coker, the trailblazing firm that helped define the physician recruiting industry. He went on to co-found Merritt Hawkins & Associates, where he and Joe Hawkins created the “44 Steps of Physician Recruiting”—a methodology that became the gold standard nationwide. After leading a boutique firm for 17 years, David returned to Merritt Hawkins/AMN Healthcare in a senior role, where he was instrumental in building and refining the Academic Leadership and Faculty search division. These milestones shaped the foundation of King Search, LLC: a firm driven by purpose, not volume—where every search is guided by values, precision, and personal commitment.

Precision with Purpose

At King Search, David personally leads every engagement. His approach is rooted in trust, strategic insight, and a deep understanding of the academic medical ecosystem. Clients view him not just as a recruiter, but as a true partner—one who listens deeply, communicates clearly, and delivers with integrity.

Transforming Institutions

David believes recruitment is legacy work. Every placement is an opportunity to shape culture, elevate care, and advance medicine. King Search isn’t transactional—it’s transformational. It reflects David’s belief that excellence is personal, and that the right leader can redefine what’s possible.

OUR SIGNATURE SEARCH PROCESS

Precision. Discretion. Legacy.

At King Search, every engagement is a bespoke partnership—defined by rigor, transparency, and transformative outcomes. Our process reflects decades of experience placing leaders who shape the future of academic medicine.

1. Formalizing the Partnership

Each search begins with a detailed engagement letter outlining scope, mutual responsibilities, and a transparent fee schedule. This document reflects our commitment to clarity, accountability, and excellence.

2. Strategic Discovery & Alignment

We meet directly with the hiring executive and/or Selection Committee to gain nuanced insight into the role, organizational dynamics, and leadership expectations—ensuring trust and alignment from day one.

3. Defining the Leadership Opportunity

A tailored position specification is crafted to articulate responsibilities, reporting relationships, and the attributes essential for success. This document anchors the entire search.

4. Targeted Research & Market Mapping

We deploy a focused research strategy, leveraging national associations, regional networks, and proprietary resources to identify elite candidates. Our reach is expansive, our focus precise.

5. Elite Candidate Engagement

King Search personally engages prospective candidates with discretion and distinction—actively recruiting top-tier talent and cultivating referrals from respected sources across academic medicine.

6. Rigorous Executive Evaluation

We conduct in-depth, personal interviews to assess experience, leadership style, and alignment with the position specification. Our evaluation is both qualitative and strategic.

7. Finalist Briefing & Advisory

Finalists are presented with a confidential dossier including biographical details and interview insights. We advise the hiring executive and/or Selection Committee throughout the selection process.

8. Transparent Client Partnership

We maintain consistent, candid communication—providing regular updates, strategic guidance, and honest feedback at every stage of the search.

9. Leadership Validation & Insight

We conduct thorough reference checks with superiors, peers, and direct reports to validate credentials and assess leadership impact. Findings are delivered with discretion and clarity.

10. Compensation Structuring & Offer Support

We assist in structuring and negotiating employment terms, including compensation and offer letters—ensuring alignment and professionalism through the final stages.

11. Post-Placement Continuity & Care

Our commitment extends beyond placement. We remain engaged with both client and candidate to support a seamless transition and lasting success.

“Partnering with David King on our search for a Family Medicine Program Director was a seamless and highly effective experience. He delivered a strong slate of candidates with impressive speed and discernment, exceeding our expectations.

Throughout the process, David demonstrated exceptional professionalism, transparency, and integrity. His communication was consistently timely and aligned with our needs. We ultimately selected an outstanding candidate who is thriving in the role.”

Sang-ick Chang, MD, MPHDivision Chief, Primary Care and Population Health
Department of Medicine, Stanford Medicine

“Mr. David King has been a pleasure to work with on medical school faculty recruitment. His deep understanding of our institutional needs and his ability to source exceptional candidates have consistently exceeded expectations. His decades of experience are clearly reflected in the caliber of his work.”

Peter A. Bell, DO, MBA, FACOEP-dist, FACEPVice Provost and Dean
Baptist College of Osteopathic Medicine

“I’ve had the distinct pleasure of working with David King for over four decades in the physician and healthcare executive search industry. His unparalleled expertise and deep understanding of the healthcare landscape have firmly established him as one of the premier search professionals in the field.

David’s commitment to forging meaningful connections between clients and top-tier candidates is evident in every engagement. His ability to identify and align talent with organizational needs is second to none, consistently resulting in placements that drive long-term success.

You can place full confidence in David’s ability to deliver exceptional results—whether you're seeking transformative leadership or pursuing the next step in your career. I strongly recommend partnering with David and the King Search team for your executive search needs.”

Mark SmithPresident Emeritus, Merritt Hawkins & Associates