Executive Search.
Without the noise.
Thirdway is built for leaders who can’t afford to get it wrong. The wrong hire costs more than money, it costs momentum. We cut through the noise with discreet, strategic search that safeguards your time, strengthens your reputation, and connects you with leaders who not only perform, they transform.

Raising the bar
Changing the way search is done
The old recruitment playbook is noisy, outdated, and erodes trust. Thirdway was built to change that, delivering discreet, strategic, human search for leaders under pressure. We protect your time, preserve your credibility, and secure talent ready to perform and transform your organisation’s future.
98% first-year
retention
98%
Our placements stay. Delivering lasting impact where it matters most.
20+ years in industry
leadership
20+
First-hand leadership experience across APAC and the Middle East.
100%
follow-through
100%
We see every search through. No drop-offs, no excuses.
90%+
shortlist success
90%+
Almost every candidate we put forward is invited to interview.

Led by real-world experiencE
From industry to advisory
Thirdway Advisory was founded by Dan Moussa, a recruitment leader with over 20 years’ leadership experience inside the sectors we serve. Having worked alongside senior decision-makers globally, he understands the pressure, politics, and precision required to get high-stakes hiring right.
Frustrated by outdated, noisy recruitment, Dan built Thirdway to raise the bar. Every engagement is led personally, combining deep sector knowledge with a human-first approach. The result: targeted, respectful, well-timed search that protects your time, preserves your credibility, and delivers transformative leaders.
Our story, in our words
Founder Dan Moussa shares how Thirdway is raising the bar in executive search.
What our clients say
Dan has taken the time to truly understand our business and consistently sends culturally aligned candidates. He’s become an important extension of our team and is our go-to partner in APAC for all recruitment needs.
Hanna Friedlander
MD APAC, Anthesis Group
Couldn’t recommend Thirdway more highly. Dan is the ultimate professional — responsive, thoughtful, and able to deliver solutions to what felt like an impossible brief. An absolute pleasure to deal with from start to finish.
Tom Lobban
Silanna Group
I cannot recommend Dan and Thirdway Advisory highly enough. Looking after employees starts well before their first day — it begins with their first engagement with your organisation during recruitment. For me, no one has placed the best interests of our company and its future employees better than Dan. From providing insights into the roles we pursue, ensuring they are achievable and relevant to our needs, delivering a seamless candidate review process, to following up post-employment — Dan was with us from start to finish to ensure we secured the right fit for our company.
Scott McMahon
Australian Director, NMT
Results that speak louder
From ambitious hiring briefs to transformative career moves, here’s how we deliver impact that lasts.
From shortlist to success
When a major infrastructure project needed a senior leader fast, we delivered a shortlist in two weeks. Every candidate interviewed, and the chosen hire went on to exceed first-year KPIs while strengthening the team’s long-term capability.
A career move with clarity
Discreetly exploring his next step, a senior leader sought a role that matched ambition with balance. We guided him through a targeted process, securing a C-suite position that elevated his profile without compromising his values or lifestyle.
Why leaders choose us
Executive search without compromise
Deep sector insight
First-hand experience in the industries we serve ensures every search is commercially and culturally on point.
Personal leadership
Every engagement is led by our founder, ensuring accountability, discretion, and unwavering commitment.
Proven outcomes
98%+ first-year retention and 90% shortlist success rates show our process works where it matters most.
What we deliver
Discreet, targeted, and human-led services for hiring leaders and high-performing candidates in high-stakes environments.
For hiring managers and HR
Executive search – Secure the right leader, faster, with precision and discretion.
Market mapping – Know the talent landscape before you need to hire.
Succession planning – Identify and prepare future leaders with confidence.
Board appointments – Helping you find the right non-executive and governance leaders.
For candidates
Career advisory – Map the smartest path to your next leadership move.
Confidential representation – Explore new opportunities without signalling you’re open.
Market insight – See where the real opportunities are before they go public.
Legacy planning – Shape a career move that defines your leadership story.
Trusted by industry leaders
As Head of Talent Acquisition for a large GigaProject in the Kingdom, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Dan Moussa for five years, and his support has been instrumental in achieving our ambitious recruitment goals. He consistently demonstrates a deep understanding of the Saudi market, cultural nuances, and the unique talent needs of our sector. Dan operates with exceptional professionalism, responsiveness, and attention to detail — from sourcing and screening high-calibre candidates to ensuring a smooth and efficient hiring process. What truly sets him apart is his ability to act as a true strategic partner, aligning his approach to our long-term business objectives and adapting quickly to changing priorities. Thanks to his dedication, market insight, and strong candidate network, we have been able to attract and secure top talent in highly competitive areas. I have full confidence in his ability to deliver outstanding results and would recommend him to any organisation seeking a reliable, knowledgeable, and results-driven recruitment partner.
Head of Talent Acquisition
PIF GigaProject, KSA
I’ve had the opportunity to work with Dan both as a candidate and as a client across multiple organisations, and I recommend him highly.
As a candidate, I felt well informed and supported throughout the process, and had the opportunity to robustly assess whether the role was aligned with my career aspirations.
As a client, I’ve always appreciated Dan’s thoughtful and thorough approach — he takes the time to truly understand the business, the role, and the broader organisational context. The result in a resource constrained industry is consistently high-quality, well-matched candidates who are well-prepared and clear on what the role involves.
Many recruiters claim they’re better or different — Dan genuinely is
Suzanne Symon
CHRO, EDF Power Solutions Australia
Core values
Our commitment to better
Value
Every engagement delivers measurable results and lasting momentum.
Trust
Straight answers, no spin, and follow-through every time.
Partnership
We act as an extension of your leadership team, not a vendor.
Impact
Leaders who drive performance today and shape tomorrow.
Progress
Moving search, and leadership, forward.

Future People podcast
Conversations with the Change Makers, Impact Makers and Future Shapers.
Future People is a bold, future-focused podcast hosted by Dan Moussa, founder of Thirdway Advisory and one of Australia’s most connected talent advisors in real estate development, critical infrastructure, and sustainability.
Building on the success of The ESG & Sustainability Podcast, which peaked at #15 on Apple’s Business Charts, Future People widens the lens to explore the stories and strategies of those shaping what’s next.
These are unfiltered conversations with leaders rethinking value, legacy, and leadership in a world being rebuilt from cities and capital to climate and culture.
Frequently asked Questions
How do you source leadership talent for large-scale infrastructure projects?
Our approach to sourcing leadership for infrastructure projects goes beyond traditional recruitment. We leverage deep networks across APAC and the Middle East, combining sophisticated mapping techniques with strategic intelligence.
Our founder, Dan Moussa, brings over 20 years of first-hand experience in critical infrastructure sectors, allowing us to identify leaders who aren't just technically proficient, but can navigate complex project dynamics. We use a multi-layered approach: targeted networking, industry-specific talent pools, discreet executive mapping, and rigorous candidate profiling. This means we don't just find candidates, we uncover hidden talent with proven track records in delivering nation-shaping infrastructure solutions.
Our process involves expert due diligence, understanding project-specific challenges, detailed hiring manager requirements and matching senior leaders who can drive momentum.
What makes executive search different in infrastructure and sustainability sectors?
Executive search in infrastructure and sustainability demands a nuanced approach that goes far beyond traditional recruitment. These sectors require leaders who are not just technically exceptional, but can drive systemic change and navigate complex environmental, economic, and social challenges. We understand that a wrong hire doesn't just cost money, it can derail critical national or organisational objectives.
Our methodology involves leading sector insight, comprehensive candidate assessment beyond technical skills, and a focus on transformative leadership potential. We evaluate candidates' ability to integrate sustainability strategies, manage complex stakeholder relationships, and drive innovation in resource-intensive sectors.
This means looking at their track record in creating sustainable value, their strategic thinking, and their capacity to lead through technological and environmental transitions.
How can Thirdway help my real estate development team find transformative leaders?
Real estate development requires leaders who can see beyond traditional property metrics. It requires visionaries who understand urban transformation, sustainability, and strategic value creation.
Our approach is forensically targeted: we don't just match skills, we map potential leaders who can reimagine development landscapes. We leverage extensive networks across real estate, infrastructure, and sustainability sectors to identify candidates who bring holistic perspectives.
Our process involves comprehensive profiling that examines a candidate's ability to navigate complex regulatory environments, drive sustainable design, manage intricate stakeholder relationships, and create long-term value. We look for leaders who understand that modern real estate development is about creating ecosystems that respond to environmental, social, and economic challenges.
Is Thirdway more than just a recruitment agency for ESG roles?
We are a strategic advisory partner specialising in leadership acquisition and talent strategy. While ESG recruitment is a core capability, our approach transcends traditional placement services.
We act as an extension of your leadership team, providing insights, strategic guidance, and transformative talent solutions. Our founder's two decades of industry experience means we don't just fill roles. We help organisations build capability, drive innovation, and create lasting impact. We combine leading sector knowledge in infrastructure, real estate, and sustainability with a human-first approach.
This means understanding your organisational culture, strategic objectives, and the nuanced leadership qualities required to drive meaningful change. We're not just finding employees; we're helping you build high-performance teams that can navigate complex business landscapes.
Can you help me find opportunities across infrastructure, real estate, and sustainability?
Our approach is strategically designed to create holistic career pathways across interconnected sectors. We understand that leaders require flexibility and the ability to navigate multiple domains.
Our extensive networks span infrastructure, real estate development, and sustainability, allowing us to identify unique opportunities that often remain hidden from traditional job markets. We provide confidential representation that goes beyond simple job matching.
Our process involves understanding your individual career aspirations, mapping your transferable skills, and identifying roles that align with your professional trajectory. We'll help you explore opportunities that leverage your existing expertise while positioning you for strategic career growth, whether that's transitioning between infrastructure projects, real estate development, or sustainability-driven leadership roles.
What qualities define a great leader in infrastructure and ESG-driven organisations?
Great leaders in infrastructure and ESG-driven organisations are multifaceted strategic thinkers. Beyond technical expertise, we look for individuals with systems thinking capabilities, who can integrate complex environmental, social, and economic considerations.
Key qualities include adaptive strategic vision, ability to drive innovation through sustainable practices, and skill in managing intricate stakeholder relationships. These leaders must demonstrate commercial acumen combined with a genuine commitment to creating long-term value. We assess candidates' track records in driving transformative change, their capacity to navigate regulatory complexities, and their potential to develop innovative solutions to critical infrastructure and sustainability challenges.
Emotional intelligence, strategic communication, and the ability to build high-performance teams are equally crucial. If this is you, or you are looking to hire one, please feel free to reach out in confidence below.
How do you maintain confidentiality in high-stakes executive searches?
Confidentiality is the foundation of our executive search methodology. We understand that high-stakes leadership moves require absolute discretion.
Our approach involves multi-layered confidentiality protocols, beginning with communication channels and extending to strategic candidate approach methods. We use sophisticated executive mapping techniques that allow us to identify and engage potential candidates without compromising their current professional positions. Our founder's two-decade experience in sensitive sector recruitment means we've developed refined techniques for managing complex, discreet searches.
We provide single-point communication and maintain strict information control throughout the recruitment process. For candidates and clients, this means a search process that protects professional reputations and minimises potential workplace disruptions.
READY FOR WHAT's NEXT?
Take the first step with confidence
Whether you're seeking exceptional talent or exploring your next career move, we approach every conversation with discretion, purpose, and clarity. No noise, no pressure. Just straight-talking expertise that protects your time and reputation while delivering transformative results.