DBI Sourcing: A Recruitment List Built by an expert Architecture and Design Recruiter
For firms that don’t need a full search – but do need the right people
You need experienced talent.
You want expert recruitment support.
You may not need (or want to pay for) a full recruitment search.
DBI Sourcing was created for situations where access, speed, and control matter more than full-cycle recruitment management.

What You Get with DBI Sourcing
DBI Sourcing gives you direct access to senior-level architecture and design professionals, curated and reviewed by a recruiter who works exclusively in this industry.
You receive a bespoke list of 40–50 relevant candidates, tailored to your role, firm type, and growth needs. Each list typically includes:
- Full name
- Current firm and title
- Two email addresses (personal and work)
- Two phone numbers (personal and work)
- LinkedIn profile, resume, or relevant background information
These are professionals who:
- Rarely respond to job postings
- Are often passive but open to the right opportunity
- Have been evaluated through DBI’s long-standing recruitment relationships
Once delivered, the list is yours—no expiration dates, no placement fees, no hiring penalties.
Choosing the Right Recruitment Approach
There isn’t one “right” way to recruit.
Traditional recruitment works well when:
- Roles are highly confidential
- Leadership transitions require full ownership
- Firms want the recruiter to manage the entire process
DBI Sourcing exists for different situations, when firms want expert recruitment input (and access to candidates) without handing over every step.
Common Hiring Situations DBI Sourcing Supports
Firms use DBI Sourcing when:
- The role is visible and well-defined
- Internal teams can manage interviews and decisions
- Senior candidates are unlikely to apply to postings
- Recruitment fees feel misaligned with the scope of the role
- Speed and budget clarity are important
DBI Sourcing complements traditional recruitment rather than replacing it.
Recruitment Expertise Applied Where It Matters Most
Every DBI Sourcing list is created by a recruiter who works exclusively in architecture and design.
Candidates are selected based on:
- Career progression and role relevance
- Firm type, project exposure, and leadership environment
- Industry reputation and professional standing
- Context gathered through years of recruitment experience
Human judgment guides every list, no automation, no scraping, no shortcuts.
What Makes DBI Sourcing Different from Full Recruitment
DBI Sourcing focuses on access and insight, not full process ownership.
With DBI Sourcing:
- You purchase access to a curated candidate pool
- You retain control over interviews and timing
- You incur no placement fees when you hire, (hire as many as you need from the list)
- You can escalate to a full recruitment search if needed
It’s recruitment support designed to be proportional to the situation.
How DBI Sourcing Works
DBI builds a bespoke list of 40–50 senior-level architecture and design professionals aligned to your role and firm profile.
These candidates are typically:
- Passive or selectively active
- Known to DBI or vetted through industry context
- Unlikely to respond to job postings
From there, firms choose how to engage, internally, with DBI’s help, or by transitioning into a full recruitment search.
What DBI Sourcing Is – and What It Is Not
DBI Sourcing is not traditional recruitment .
It is not contingent recruitment.
It is not retained search.
It is not automated sourcing.
It is a human-led recruitment option designed to sit alongside DBI’s traditional recruitment services.
When DBI Sourcing Is the Best Fit
DBI Sourcing is often the right choice when:
- The role does not require confidentiality
- Firms want market visibility before committing to full search
- Internal leadership can manage interviews
- Flexibility and cost predictability matter
For highly sensitive or leadership-critical roles, DBI will recommend traditional recruitment.
DBI Sourcing Recruitment Options
Basic
Expert-Curated Candidate Sourcing
- 40–50 senior-level candidates
- Built by an architecture recruitment specialist
- Unlimited, fee-free hiring from the list
Cost $5,000

Standard
Recruitment Outreach & Coordination
Includes Basic, plus:
- Direct outreach by DBI
- Candidates briefed on your firm
- Interviews scheduled with your team
Cost $8,000
Premium
Recruiter Screening & Alignment
Includes Standard, plus:
- Live recruiter-led screening
- Confirmation of interest and fit
- Interview-ready introductions
Cost $12,000
DBI Sourcing and Recruitment Cost Context
Traditional architecture recruitment typically ranges from $25,000–$45,000 per hire.
DBI Sourcing provides expert access and recruitment insight for a fraction of that investment—without replacing full recruitment when it’s warranted.
Architecture & Design Firms We’ve Supported
- Gensler
- Fisher & Paykel
- Starbucks
- HBA
What Clients Say
“DBI Sourcing gave us access without overcommitting.”
“It complemented our internal recruitment efforts perfectly.”
“A smart option when full recruitment wasn’t necessary.”
A Practical First Step in Recruitment
If you want experienced recruitment insight, better access to candidates, and flexibility in how you hire, DBI Sourcing is designed to support that approach.