South Africa · Since 1978

South Africa's pre-eminent academic recruitment partner

An all-inclusive recruitment solutions group connecting universities, councils and corporates with the scarce, critical leadership talent that shapes their future.
45+
YEARS OF PRACTICE
13
VICE-CHANCELLORS PLACED
Lvl 1
B-BBEE CONTRIBUTOR
Award-winning
GEAR Advertising · Amara Awards
ResearchGate
Africa's appointed reseller
TRUSTED BY SOUTH AFRICA'S LEADING INSTITUTIONS & UNIVERSITIES
1978
The year our journey began, over four decades of continual growth.
13
Vice-Chancellor & Rector appointments, plus countless senior academics.
100
%
Proudly South African, home-grown B-BBEE Level 1 organisation.
6
mo
Guarantee on every placement, risk-free hiring decisions.
An incredible journey, 45 years on
WHO WE ARE

We listen, we advise, we deliver.

At Academic Partners we have observed, noted and adapted to an ever-changing educational landscape, bringing more meaningful and affordable products to bear. Be it the classic approach to academic recruitment we've become renowned for, or our new menu of piecemeal offerings designed to save you time and money.
  • Unique pre- and post-delivery activities that protect both your brand and ours.
  • Unparalleled assessment through our proprietary ABAC methodology.
  • Ever-changing global techniques applied to local conditions.
WHAT WE DO

Regardless of your recruitment need,
we can provide a solution

From classic A to Z executive search to inexpensive bespoke products, a complete, all-inclusive menu built around how you actually hire.
01

Classic A to Z Recruitment

End-to-end accessing, assessing, pre-placement checks and post-placement support, including executive search and advertising.
02

Executive Search

Discreet, highly interactive headhunting of top-end corporate and academic leaders, retained, exclusive assignments only.
03

Bespoke Recruitment

Flexible, inexpensive piecemeal products, response handling, ABAC assessment, profiling or background checks à la carte.
04

GEAR Advertising

The ‘right’ copy and the ‘right’ mix of digital & print media, using the GEAR technique to convert passive readers into applicants.
05

Temporary Solutions

Provision of interim ‘gatekeeper’ talent, experienced executives to hold critical posts while you appoint permanently.
06

ResearchGate Postings

As Africa's official ResearchGate reseller, we place your roles in front of the continent's research and academic community.
OUR DIFFERENTIATOR

The ABAC™ method

The Activity-Based Assessment & Confirmation tool is intellectual property developed by Executive Partners, renowned for its ability to discern between those who ‘talk the walk’ and those who can actually walk the talk.
Developed specifically for local conditions, ABAC underpins every assignment, paired with behavioural profiling, ‘fitability’ interviewing and rigorous background checks.
THE GEAR TECHNIQUE
G
Grasp
Capture the attention of the passive, high-calibre reader.
E
Entice
Compel them to see themselves in the opportunity.
A
Align
Match ambition, values and capability to the mandate.
R
Response
Convert interest into quality, qualified applications.
HOW WE WORK

A deliberate, partner-led process

Every mandate is treated as unique. We shift the paradigm from working for you to partnering with you.
01

Orientation & DoU

A senior Key Accounts Director distils your mandate into a detailed Document of Understanding, signed off by both parties.
02

Access & attract

Executive search, advertised selection, or a subtle combination, engineered with GEAR copy to reach the right market.
03

Assess with ABAC

Discerning, practical screening against predefined criteria, captured in a transparent ‘matrix of overall response’.
04

Place & support

Fitability interviews, background checks, appointment, backed by a six-month placement guarantee and post-delivery care.
ONE GROUP, THREE SPECIALISMS

Our family of brands

Executive ABAC Talenting brings together complementary teams, each a specialist, all working as one.
AP Academic Partners logo

Academic Partners

The classic, renowned approach to academic recruitment, accessing, assessing and securing scarce university leadership.
gear advertising logo

GEAR Advertising

The classic, renowned approach to academic recruitment, accessing, assessing and securing scarce university leadership.
EP Executive Partners logo

Executive Partners

The classic, renowned approach to academic recruitment, accessing, assessing and securing scarce university leadership.
LATEST VACANCIES

Empowering your future today

IN OUR CLIENTS' WORDS

An unblemished record for on-time delivery

“
University of the Western Cape
I’ve been involved with Academic Partners for many years and cherish their personal touch … never about money, more about client needs and adding value … team members complement one another … technically infused and aligned with UWC … particularly impressed with their professionalism, execution of engagements and the level of comfort I derived having them as our ‘partners’.
Manie Regal
Finance Executive
“
UCTLogo
Just a word of thanks for your patience and diligence in terms of the UCT opportunity. Although I am in negotiation stage of potentially being taken on, it has been an interesting walk with Academic Partners. Regardless of the final outcome, I need to complement you personally on the manner in which you managed the whole process, which attests to the value that you add to your profession. Well done!
Nigel Haupt
Director, Physical Planning Unit
“
ufs logo new
The Vice-Chancellor and Rector Assignment was afforded to Academic Partners as a result of them being highly recommended. In our 105 year history, this is the first time we have called for outside help in appointing our senior most post. Academic Partners initiated this assignment with convincing professionalism, enthusiasm and speed and made useful contributions in developing our need. The UFS Council also expressed it’s appreciation for the efficient and professional manner in which the assignment was conducted and concluded.
Lourens Geyer
HR Director
PARTNERSHIPS & NETWORKS

Connected to the right communities

ResearchGate logo
AFRICA'S APPOINTED RESELLER

ResearchGate

Our organisation is the official ResearchGate reseller for Africa, placing research-affiliated and commercial roles in front of millions of academics.
unitalentza logo university jobs
JOB BOARD PARTNER

unitalentza

A dedicated South African university jobs platform, extending the reach of every mandate across the higher-education sector.
LET'S BEGIN

Whether you're hiring or hunting, let's start the conversation.

Empowering your future today to help you win tomorrow. Tell us about your mandate, or register your talent with us.
Executive ABAC Talenting EAT logo
South Africa's pre-eminent, all-inclusive academic recruitment solutions group of companies, proudly 100% South African.
B-BBEE Level 1 Contributor
GET IN TOUCH
info@talenting.co.za
Advertising Tel:
042 281 1902
Recruitment Tel:
066 587 2328
Postal Address:
P.O. Box 53311
Kenilworth
Cape Town, 7745
© 2026 Executive ABAC Talenting. All rights reserved. Created by Cooper Creative.