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Leases Operating Lease, Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Operating Lease, Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]

Lessee Operating Leases Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Table Text Block]

Supplemental cash flow information related to the Company's operating leases for the year ended December 31, 2019, was as follows:



Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	33,797
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	$	19,640

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 271,719,000	$ 279,906,000
Marketable securities	61,153,000	0
Accounts receivable, net	109,163,000	114,977,000
Prepaid expenses	20,185,000	22,766,000
Other current assets	27,848,000	29,598,000
Income taxes recoverable	4,414,000	3,620,000
Total current assets	494,482,000	450,867,000
Non-current assets:
Property and equipment, net	28,650,000	33,871,000
Operating lease right-of-use assets	99,391,000	0
Assets designated for retirement and pension plans	13,978,000	15,035,000
Investments	25,409,000	19,442,000
Other non-current assets	20,434,000	22,276,000
Goodwill	126,831,000	122,092,000
Other intangible assets, net	1,935,000	2,216,000
Deferred income taxes	33,063,000	34,830,000
Total non-current assets	349,691,000	249,762,000
Assets	844,173,000	700,629,000
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	8,633,000	9,166,000
Accrued salaries and benefits	234,306,000	227,653,000
Deferred revenue	41,267,000	40,673,000
Operating lease liabilities	30,955,000	0
Other current liabilities	26,253,000	33,219,000
Income taxes payable	3,928,000	8,240,000
Total current liabilities	345,342,000	318,951,000
Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Accrued salaries and benefits	59,662,000	57,234,000
Retirement and pension plans	46,032,000	39,865,000
Operating lease liabilities	79,388,000	0
Other non-current liabilities	4,634,000	17,423,000
Total non-current liabilities	189,716,000	114,522,000
Total liabilities	535,058,000	433,473,000
Commitments and contingencies (Note 20)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 19,585,777 shares issued, 19,165,954 and 18,954,275 shares outstanding at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively	196,000	196,000
Treasury stock at cost, 419,823 and 631,502 shares at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively	(14,795,000)	(20,298,000)
Additional paid in capital	228,807,000	227,147,000
Retained earnings	91,083,000	56,049,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income	3,824,000	4,062,000
Total stockholders’ equity	309,115,000	267,156,000
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 844,173,000	$ 700,629,000

Consolidated Statements of Changes In Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Beginning Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2016		19,586	1,008
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 258,590	$ 196	$ (32,915)	$ 229,957	$ 58,030	$ 3,322
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(48,635)				(48,635)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	9,993					9,993
Treasury and common stock transactions:
Stock-based compensation	4,935			4,935
Vesting of equity, net of tax withholdings (in shares)			(188)
Vesting of equity, net of tax withholdings	(2,405)		$ 6,311	(8,716)
Re-issuance of treasury stock (in shares)			(15)
Re-issuance of treasury stock	338		$ 508	(170)
Dividends	9,762				(9,762)
Dividend equivalents on restricted stock units	(349)				(349)
Ending Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2017		19,586	805
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	212,705	$ 196	$ (26,096)	226,006	(716)	13,315
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	49,295				49,295
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Adoption, Quantification	8,954					(6,089)
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Adoption, Quantification \| Accounting Standards Updates 2014-09 and 2016-01 [Member]					15,043
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(3,164)					(3,164)
Treasury and common stock transactions:
Stock-based compensation	8,947			8,947
Vesting of equity, net of tax withholdings (in shares)			(167)
Vesting of equity, net of tax withholdings	(2,233)		$ 5,604	(7,837)
Re-issuance of treasury stock (in shares)			(6)
Re-issuance of treasury stock	225		$ 194	31
Dividends	7,389				(7,389)
Dividend equivalents on restricted stock units	(184)				(184)
Ending Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2018		19,586	632
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	267,156	$ 196	$ (20,298)	227,147	56,049	4,062
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	46,869				46,869
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(238)					(238)
Treasury and common stock transactions:
Stock-based compensation	10,298			10,298
Vesting of equity, net of tax withholdings (in shares)			(163)
Vesting of equity, net of tax withholdings	(4,552)		$ 5,154	(9,706)
Re-issuance of treasury stock (in shares)			(49)
Re-issuance of treasury stock	1,417		$ 349	1,068
Dividends	11,461				(11,461)
Dividend equivalents on restricted stock units	(374)				(374)
Ending Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2019		19,586	420
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 309,115	$ 196	$ (14,795)	$ 228,807	$ 91,083	$ 3,824

Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Revenue, Operating Income, Depreciation and Amortization, and Capital Expenditures, by Segment

The revenue, operating income, depreciation and amortization, and capital expenditures, by segment, were as follows:



	December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Revenue
Executive Search
Americas	$	415,455		$	405,267		$	339,793
Europe	135,070			145,348			125,346
Asia Pacific	95,827			102,276			86,905
Total Executive Search	646,352			652,891			552,044
Heidrick Consulting	60,572			63,132			69,356
Revenue before reimbursements	706,924			716,023			621,400
Reimbursements	18,690			19,632			18,656
Total revenue	$	725,614		$	735,655		$	640,056

Operating income (loss)
Executive Search
Americas (1)	$	100,833		$	96,880		$	75,337
Europe (2)	3,026			5,849			13
Asia Pacific (3)	13,590			15,999			537
Total Executive Search	117,449			118,728			75,887
Heidrick Consulting (4)	(18,499		)	(13,619		)	(62,368		)
Total segments	98,950			105,109			13,519
Global Operations Support (5)	(35,439		)	(36,252		)	(40,042		)
Total operating income (loss)	$	63,511		$	68,857		$	(26,523	)

Depreciation and amortization
Executive Search
Americas	$	4,204		$	4,605		$	4,794
Europe	2,784			3,735			3,328
Asia Pacific	1,472			1,646			1,565
Total Executive Search	8,460			9,986			9,687
Heidrick Consulting	1,079			1,577			4,099
Total segments	9,539			11,563			13,786
Global Operations Support	832			959			988
Total depreciation and amortization	$	10,371		$	12,522		$	14,774

Capital expenditures
Executive Search
Americas	$	1,121		$	601		$	7,123
Europe	1,070			3,557			1,460
Asia Pacific	295			440			2,633
Total Executive Search	2,486			4,598			11,216
Heidrick Consulting	541			581			1,172
Total segments	3,027			5,179			12,388
Global Operations Support	325			1,006			3,298
Total capital expenditures	$	3,352		$	6,185		$	15,686


(1)	Operating income for the Americas includes restructuring charges of $4.1 million in 2019 and $0.8 million in 2017.


(2)	Operating income for Europe includes restructuring charges of $4.0 million in 2017.


(3)	Operating income for Asia Pacific includes restructuring charges of $2.0 million in 2017.


(4)	Operating loss for Heidrick Consulting includes impairment charges of $50.7 million and restructuring charges of $3.4 million in 2017.


(5)	Operating loss for Global Operations Support includes restructuring charges of less than $0.1 million in 2019 and $5.5 million in 2017.

Identifiable Assets, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net, by Segment

Identifiable assets, and goodwill and other intangible assets, net, by segment, are as follows:



	December 31,
	2019		2018
Current assets
Executive Search
Americas	$	286,818	$	255,889
Europe	96,230		85,355
Asia Pacific	78,967		74,169
Total Executive Search	462,015		415,413
Heidrick Consulting	30,628		34,174
Total segments	492,643		449,587
Global Operations Support	1,839		1,280
Total allocated current assets	494,482		450,867
Unallocated non-current assets	220,925		125,454
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
Executive Search
Americas	93,054		88,462
Europe	26,893		27,010
Asia Pacific	8,819		8,836
Total Executive Search	128,766		124,308
Heidrick Consulting	—		—
Total goodwill and other intangible assets, net	128,766		124,308
Total assets	$	844,173	$	700,629

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross		$ 163,088	$ 158,349	$ 151,844
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss		(36,257)	(36,257)	0
Goodwill	$ 118,892	126,831	122,092	151,844
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	36,257
Philosophy IB [Member]
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill acquired	364
Culture Shaping [Member]
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	9,900
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	29,300
Leadership Consulting [Member]
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	4,600
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	6,900
Executive Search [Member]
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross		$ 126,831	122,092
Executive Search [Member] \| Europe [Member]
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Reporting Unit, Percentage of Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Amount		21.00%
Goodwill, Gross		$ 25,579	24,924	19,092
Goodwill acquired	0
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss				0
Goodwill	20,900	$ 25,579	24,924	19,092
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	0
Executive Search [Member] \| Americas [Member]
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Reporting Unit, Percentage of Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Amount		329.00%
Goodwill, Gross		$ 92,497	88,410	88,101
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss				0
Goodwill	88,690	$ 92,497	88,410	88,101
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	0
Executive Search [Member] \| Asia Pacific [Member]
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Reporting Unit, Percentage of Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Amount		30.00%
Goodwill, Gross		$ 8,755	8,758	8,893
Goodwill acquired	0
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss				0
Goodwill	9,302	$ 8,755	$ 8,758	$ 8,893
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	0
Executive Search [Member] \| Philosophy IB [Member] \| Americas [Member]
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill acquired	$ 357

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Marketable Securities

The Company’s marketable securities consist of available-for-sale debt securities with original maturities exceeding three months.

Concentration of Risk

The Company is potentially exposed to concentrations of risk associated with its accounts receivable. However, this risk is limited due to the Company’s large number of clients and their dispersion across many different industries and geographies. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had no significant concentrations of risk.

Accounts Receivable

The Company’s accounts receivable consists of trade receivables. The allowance for doubtful accounts is developed based upon several factors including the age of the Company’s accounts receivable, historical write-off experience and specific account analysis. These factors may change over time, impacting the allowance level.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. The carrying value for receivables from clients, accounts payable, deferred revenue and other accrued liabilities reasonably approximate fair value due to the nature of the financial instruments and the short-term nature of the items.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset or, for leasehold improvements, the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset, as follows:



Office furniture, fixtures and equipment		5–10 years
Computer equipment and software		3–7 years

Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lesser of the lease term or life of the asset improvement, which typically range from three to ten years.

Depreciation is calculated for tax purposes using accelerated methods, where applicable.

Long-lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including property and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge, equal to the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset, is recognized.

Investments

The Company’s investments consist primarily of available-for-sale investments within the U.S. non-qualified deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”).

Available-for-sale investments are reported at fair value with changes in unrealized gains (losses) and realized gains (losses) recorded as a non-operating expense in Other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the difference between the purchase price of acquired companies and the related fair value of the net assets acquired, which is accounted for by the acquisition method of accounting. Other intangible assets include client relationships, trade names, and employee non-compete agreements. The Company performs assessments of the carrying value of goodwill at least annually and of its goodwill and other intangible assets whenever events occur or circumstances indicate that a carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. These circumstances include a significant change in business climate, attrition of key personnel, changes in financial condition or results of operations, a prolonged decline in the Company’s stock price and market capitalization, competition, and other factors.

The goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. The Company operates four reporting units: Americas, Europe (which includes Africa), Asia Pacific (which includes the Middle East) and Heidrick Consulting. The goodwill impairment test is completed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. The fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units is determined using a discounted cash flow methodology. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value; however, the loss recognized is not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

The other intangible asset impairment review compares the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge, equal to the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value, is recognized.

Other intangible assets acquired are amortized either using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or based on the projected cash flow associated with the respective intangible assets.

Restructuring Charges

The Company accounts for restructuring charges by recognizing a liability at fair value when the costs are incurred.

Revenue Recognition

See Note 3, Revenue.

Reimbursements

The Company incurs certain out-of-pocket expenses that are reimbursed by its clients, which are accounted for as revenue and expense in its Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Salaries and Benefits

Salaries and benefits consist of compensation and benefits paid to consultants, executive officers, and administrative and support personnel, of which the most significant elements are salaries and annual performance-related bonuses. Other items in this category are expenses related to sign-on bonuses, forgivable employee loans and minimum guaranteed bonuses (often incurred in connection with the hiring of new consultants), restricted stock unit and performance share unit amortization, payroll taxes, profit sharing and retirement benefits, and employee insurance benefits.

Salaries and benefits are recognized on an accrual basis. Certain sign-on bonuses, retention awards, and minimum guaranteed compensation are capitalized and amortized in accordance with the terms of the respective agreements.

A portion of the Company’s consultants’ and management cash bonuses are deferred and paid over a three-year vesting period. The portion of the bonus is approximately 15% depending on the employee’s level or position. The compensation expense related to the amounts being deferred is recognized on a graded vesting attribution method over the requisite service period. This service period begins on January 1 of the respective fiscal year and continues through the deferral date, which coincides with the Company’s bonus payments in the first quarter of the following year and for an additional three-year vesting period. The deferrals are recorded in Accrued salaries and benefits within both Current liabilities and Non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities, applying enacted statutory tax rates in effect for the year in which the tax differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by weighted average common shares outstanding for the year. Diluted earnings (loss) per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted. Common equivalent shares are excluded from the determination of diluted earnings per share in periods in which they have an anti-dilutive effect.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:



	December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Net income (loss)	$	46,869	$	49,295	$	(48,635	)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	19,103		18,917		18,735
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock units	285		406		—
Performance stock units	163		209		—
Diluted	19,551		19,532		18,735
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	2.45	$	2.61	$	(2.60	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	2.40	$	2.52	$	(2.60	)

Weighted average restricted stock units and performance stock units outstanding that could be converted into approximately 327,000 and 80,000 common shares, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2017, were not included in the computation of diluted loss per share because the effects would be anti-dilutive.

Translation of Foreign Currencies

The Company generally designates the local currency for all its subsidiaries as the functional currency. The Company translates the assets and liabilities of its subsidiaries into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at a monthly average exchange rate for the period. Translation adjustments are reported as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income.

Restricted Cash

Historically, the Company had lease agreements and business licenses with terms that required the Company to restrict cash through the termination dates of the agreements. Current and non-current restricted cash is included in Other current assets and Other non-current assets, respectively, in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the cash and cash equivalents between the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows as of December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:



	December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Cash and cash equivalents	$	271,719	$	279,906	$	207,534
Restricted cash included within other current assets	—		108		526
Restricted cash included within other non-current assets	—		248		102
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	271,719	$	280,262	$	208,162

Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), issued ASU No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The guidance simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions to the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 740 related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. The guidance also simplifies aspects of the accounting for franchise taxes and enacted changes in tax laws or rates and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2021. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting guidance. The effect is not known or reasonably estimable at this time.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The guidance amends the impairment model by requiring entities to use a forward-looking approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company will adopt this guidance in its fiscal year beginning January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Recently Adopted Financial Accounting Standards

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842 (Leases) and ASU No. 2018-11, Targeted Improvements to Topic 842 (Leases). The guidance is intended to increase transparency and comparability among companies for leasing transactions, including a requirement for companies that lease assets to recognize on their balance sheets the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. The guidance also provides for disclosures that allow the users of financial statements to assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases.

The Company adopted the guidance on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective method without restatement of comparative periods. As such, periods prior to the date of adoption are presented in accordance with ASC 840 - Leases. The Company utilized the available practical expedient that allowed for the Company to not reassess whether existing contracts contain a lease under the new definition of a lease, lease classification for existing leases and whether previously capitalized initial direct costs would qualify for capitalization under the new guidance.

The adoption of this guidance had a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2019 due to the recognition of equal right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for the Company's portfolio of operating leases. The right-of-use asset balance was then adjusted by the reclassification of pre-existing prepaid and accrued rent balances from other line items within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The adoption had an immaterial impact on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2019. The adoption had no impact on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Additional information and disclosures required by the new standard are contained in Note 6, Leases.

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income, which is intended to improve the usefulness of information reported as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The new guidance allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value Measurements - Levels of Inputs Used to Measure Fair Value of Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Cash [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	$ 177,493	$ 279,829
Marketable Securities	0	0
Money Market Funds [Member] \| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	15,661	77
Marketable Securities	0	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	15,661	$ 77
US Treasury Securities [Member] \| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	78,565
Marketable Securities	61,153
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	139,705
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	13
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	$ 139,718

Other Current Assets and Non-current Liabilities Other Current Assets (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Other Current Assets - Components of Other Current Assets [Line Items]
Unbilled Receivables, Current	$ 22,257,000	$ 23,975,000
Other Assets, Miscellaneous, Current	5,591,000	5,623,000
Other Assets, Current	$ 27,848,000	$ 29,598,000

Restructuring Schedule of Restructuring Charges and Related Cash Payments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Schedule of Restructuring Charges and Related Cash Payments [Line Items]

Schedule of Restructuring Charges and Related Cash Payments [Table Text Block]



	December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Executive Search
Americas	$	4,102	$	—	$	784
Europe	—		—		3,993
Asia Pacific	—		—		2,046
Total Executive Search	4,102		—		6,823
Heidrick Consulting	—		—		3,393
Global Operations Support	28		—		5,450
Total restructuring	$	4,130	$	—	$	15,666

Changes in the restructuring accrual for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 were as follows:



	Employee Related			Office Related			Other			Total
Accrual balance at December 31, 2016	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Restructuring charges	13,065			308			2,293			15,666
Cash payments	(1,199		)	(5		)	(1,282		)	(2,486		)
Non-cash write-offs	—			(155		)	—			(155		)
Accrual balance at December 31, 2017	11,866			148			1,011			13,025
Cash payments	(8,689		)	(248		)	(993		)	(9,930		)
Non-cash write-offs	—			195			—			195
Other	(1,843		)	(95		)	5			(1,933		)
Exchange rate fluctuations	(65		)	—			(6		)	(71		)
Accrual balance at December 31, 2018	1,269			—			17			1,286
Restructuring charges	4,130			—			—			4,130
Cash payments	(2,213		)	—			—			(2,213		)
Non-cash write-offs	—			—			(17		)	(17		)
Other	4			—			—			4
Exchange rate fluctuations	55			—			—			55
Accrual balance at December 31, 2019	$	3,245		$	—		$	—		$	3,245

Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]

Changes in the restructuring accrual for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 were as follows:



	Employee Related			Office Related			Other			Total
Accrual balance at December 31, 2016	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Restructuring charges	13,065			308			2,293			15,666
Cash payments	(1,199		)	(5		)	(1,282		)	(2,486		)
Non-cash write-offs	—			(155		)	—			(155		)
Accrual balance at December 31, 2017	11,866			148			1,011			13,025
Cash payments	(8,689		)	(248		)	(993		)	(9,930		)
Non-cash write-offs	—			195			—			195
Other	(1,843		)	(95		)	5			(1,933		)
Exchange rate fluctuations	(65		)	—			(6		)	(71		)
Accrual balance at December 31, 2018	1,269			—			17			1,286
Restructuring charges	4,130			—			—			4,130
Cash payments	(2,213		)	—			—			(2,213		)
Non-cash write-offs	—			—			(17		)	(17		)
Other	4			—			—			4
Exchange rate fluctuations	55			—			—			55
Accrual balance at December 31, 2019	$	3,245		$	—		$	—		$	3,245

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The Company's goodwill by segment is as follows:



	December 31, 2019			December 31, 2018
Executive Search
Americas	$	92,497		$	88,410
Europe	25,579			24,924
Asia Pacific	8,755			8,758
Total Executive Search	126,831			122,092
Heidrick Consulting	36,257			36,257
Goodwill, gross	163,088			158,349
Accumulated impairment	(36,257		)	(36,257		)
Goodwill, net	$	126,831		$	122,092

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 were as follows:



	Executive Search
	Americas			Europe			Asia Pacific			Heidrick Consulting			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2016
Goodwill	$	88,101		$	19,092		$	8,893		$	35,758		$	151,844
Accumulated impairment	—			—			—			—			—
Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2016	88,101			19,092			8,893			35,758			151,844
Philosophy IB acquisition	357			—			—			7			364
Foreign currency translation	232			1,808			409			492			2,941
Impairment	—			—			—			(36,257		)	(36,257		)
Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2017	88,690			20,900			9,302			—			118,892
Amrop acquisition	—			5,478			—			—			5,478
Foreign currency translation	(280		)	(1,454		)	(544		)	—			(2,278		)
Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2018	88,410			24,924			8,758			—			122,092
2GET acquisition	3,793			—			—			—			3,793
Foreign currency translation	294			655			(3		)	—			946
Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2019	$	92,497		$	25,579		$	8,755		$	—		$	126,831

In September 2019, the Company acquired 2GET and included $3.8 million of goodwill related to the acquisition in the Americas segment.

During the 2019 fourth quarter, the Company conducted its annual goodwill impairment evaluation as of October 31, 2019 in accordance with ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other. The goodwill impairment test is completed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value; however, the loss recognized is not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

The impairment test is considered for each of the Company’s reporting units that has goodwill as defined in the accounting standard for goodwill and intangible assets. The Company operates four reporting units: Americas, Europe (which includes Africa), Asia Pacific (which includes the Middle East) and Heidrick Consulting. As of October 31, 2019, only the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific reporting units had recorded goodwill.

During the impairment evaluation process, the Company used a discounted cash flow methodology to estimate the fair value of each of its reporting units with goodwill. The discounted cash flow approach is dependent on a number of factors, including estimates of future market growth and trends, forecasted revenue and costs, capital investments, appropriate discount rates, certain assumptions to allocate shared costs, assets and liabilities, historical and projected performance of the reporting unit and the macroeconomic conditions affecting each of the Company’s reporting units. The assumptions used in the determination of fair value were (1) a forecast of growth in the near and long term; (2) the discount rate; (3) working capital investments; and (4) other factors.

Based on the results of the impairment analysis, the fair values of the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific reporting units exceeded their carrying values by 329%, 21% and 30%, respectively.

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, the Company determined that the goodwill within the former Culture Shaping and Leadership Consulting reporting units was impaired, which resulted in impairment charges of $29.3 million and $6.9 million, respectively, to write off all of the goodwill associated with each of the reporting units. The impairment charges are recorded within Impairment charges in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. The impairments were non-cash in nature and did not affect our current liquidity, cash flows, borrowing capability or operations, nor did they impact the debt covenants under our credit agreement. Effective January 1, 2018, the Company completed its integration of the Culture Shaping and Leadership Consulting reporting units into the newly created Heidrick Consulting reporting unit.

Other Intangible Assets, net

The Company’s other intangible assets, net, by segment, are as follows:



	December 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Executive Search
Americas	$	557	$	52
Europe	1,314		2,086
Asia Pacific	64		78
Total Executive Search	1,935		2,216
Heidrick Consulting	—		—
Total Other Intangible Assets, Net	$	1,935	$	2,216

In September 2019, the Company acquired 2GET and recorded customer relationships and trade name intangible assets in the Americas segment of $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, the Company determined that the intangible assets within the Culture Shaping and Leadership Consulting reporting units were impaired, which resulted in impairment charges of $9.9 million and $4.6 million, respectively, to write off all intangible assets associated with each reporting unit. The impairment charges are recorded within Impairment charges in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. The impairment charges were non-cash in nature and did not affect current liquidity, cash flows, borrowing capability or operations, nor did they impact the debt covenants under our credit agreement.

The carrying amount of amortizable intangible assets and the related accumulated amortization were as follows:



		December 31, 2019							December 31, 2018
	Weighted Average Life (in years)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Client relationships	6.6	$	16,302	$	(14,683	)	$	1,619	$	15,910	$	(13,694	)	$	2,216
Trade name	5.0	362		(46		)	316		—		—			—
Total intangible assets	6.3	$	16,664	$	(14,729	)	$	1,935	$	15,910	$	(13,694	)	$	2,216

Intangible asset amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, was $0.9 million, $1.5 million and $4.4 million, respectively.

The Company's estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets as of December 31, 2019 for the years ended December 31st is as follows:



2020	$	798
2021	507
2022	319
2023	188
2024	76
Thereafter	47
Total	$	1,935

Leases Operating Lease, Supplemental Cash Flow (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Operating Lease, Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]
Operating Lease, Payments	$ 33,797
Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability	$ 19,640

Pension Plan and Life Insurance Contract - Assumptions to Determine Company's Benefit Obligation (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan Amounts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Not Yet Recognized In Net Periodic Benefit Cost	$ 4,000	$ 2,600
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	$ 15,296	$ 16,384
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate	1.71%	1.64%	1.49%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate	1.03%	1.71%	1.64%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Rate of Compensation Increase	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Defined Benefit Plan Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation Measurement Date	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Stock-based Compensation - Performance Stock Unit Activity (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	3 years
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 11.4
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Number of Stock Units, Beginning balance (in shares)	512,446	491,154
Number of Stock Units, Granted (in shares)	270,488	297,664
Number of Stock Units, Vested and converted to common stock (in shares)	(175,792)	(199,550)
Number of Stock Units, Forfeited (in shares)	(8,154)	(76,822)
Number of Stock Units, Ending balance (in shares)	598,988	512,446
Weighted- Average Grant-date Fair Value
Weighted-Average Grant-date Fair Value, Beginning balance (in dollars per share)	$ 28.83	$ 21.92
Weighted-Average Grant-date Fair Value, Granted (in dollars per share)	33.55	34.64
Weighted-Average Grant-date Fair Value, Vested and converted to common stock (in dollars per share)	24.19	21.66
Weighted-Average Grant-date Fair Value, Forfeited (in dollars per share)	34.29	25.76
Weighted-Average Grant-date Fair Value, Ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 32.25	$ 28.83
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	2 years 6 months
Special Restricted Stock Unit [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	4 years
Performance Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 3.4
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Number of Stock Units, Beginning balance (in shares)	197,117	185,891
Number of Stock Units, Granted (in shares)	81,661	102,138
Number of Stock Units, Vested and converted to common stock (in shares)	(99,219)	(43,361)
Number of Stock Units, Forfeited (in shares)	0	(47,551)
Number of Stock Units, Ending balance (in shares)	179,559	197,117
Weighted- Average Grant-date Fair Value
Weighted-Average Grant-date Fair Value, Beginning balance (in dollars per share)	$ 24.88	$ 23.82
Weighted-Average Grant-date Fair Value, Granted (in dollars per share)	35.58	25.81
Weighted-Average Grant-date Fair Value, Vested and converted to common stock (in dollars per share)	25.04	23.64
Weighted-Average Grant-date Fair Value, Forfeited (in dollars per share)	0.00	23.87
Weighted-Average Grant-date Fair Value, Ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 32.63	$ 24.88
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 10 months
Executive Officer [Member] \| Performance Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	3 years
Minimum [Member] \| Executive Officer [Member] \| Performance Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	0.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Executive Officer [Member] \| Performance Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	200.00%

Pension Plan and Life Insurance Contract - Reconcile Benefit Obligation for Pension Plan (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	$ 20,918	$ 20,908	$ 23,886
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	338	373	$ 362
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Actuarial Gain (Loss)	1,506	(886)
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Benefits Paid	(1,375)	(1,450)
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)	$ (459)	$ (1,015)

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Minimum Future Office Space and Equipment Lease Payments Due

The minimum future operating lease payments due in each of the next five years as recorded under ASC 840 at December 2018, were as follows:



2019	$	34,456
2020	31,808
2021	27,381
2022	23,445
2023	20,087
Thereafter	14,448
Total	$	151,625

Investments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
Long-term Investments	$ 25,409	$ 19,442
Aggregate cost basis for investments	17,200	14,600
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	15,296	16,384
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	20,918	20,908	$ 23,886
Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability)	19,787	14,918
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
U.S. non-qualified deferred compensation plan assets	25,409	19,442
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	15,296	16,384
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	20,918	20,908
Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability)	(5,622)	(4,524)
Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability)	(1,318)	(1,349)
Other Current Liabilities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Other Current Liabilities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	1,318	1,349
Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability)	(1,318)	(1,349)
Other Pension Plan [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability)	(19,600)	(19,559)
Other Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Other Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	19,600	19,559
Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability)	(19,600)	(19,559)
Other Current Assets [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability)	1,318	1,349
Other Current Assets [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
U.S. non-qualified deferred compensation plan assets	0	0
Other Current Assets [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	1,318	1,349
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	0	0
Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability)	1,318	1,349
Investments [Domain]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability)	25,409	19,442
Investments [Domain] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
U.S. non-qualified deferred compensation plan assets	25,409	19,442
Investments [Domain] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	0	0
Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability)	0	0
Assets Designated for Retirement and Pension Plans [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability)	13,978	15,035
Assets Designated for Retirement and Pension Plans [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
U.S. non-qualified deferred compensation plan assets	0	0
Assets Designated for Retirement and Pension Plans [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	13,978	15,035
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	0	0
Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability)	$ 13,978	$ 15,035

Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

In 2018, the Company completed the integration of its Leadership Consulting and Culture Shaping businesses into one combined service offering, Heidrick Consulting. In conjunction with the integration, the Company reorganized its Management Committee, which the Company considers to be its chief operating decision maker, so as to regularly assess performance and make resource allocations decisions for the Heidrick Consulting business. Therefore, the Company now reports Leadership Consulting and Culture Shaping as one operating segment, Heidrick Consulting. In conjunction with the change in operating segments, the Company modified its corporate cost allocation methodology. Previously reported operating segment results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, have been recast to conform to the new operating segment structure and corporate cost allocation methodology.

The Company has four operating segments. The executive search business operates in the Americas, Europe (which includes Africa) and Asia Pacific (which includes the Middle East), and the Heidrick Consulting business operates globally.

For segment purposes, reimbursements of out-of-pocket expenses classified as revenue and other operating income are reported separately and, therefore, are not included in the results of each segment. The Company believes that analyzing trends in revenue before reimbursements (net revenue), analyzing operating expenses as a percentage of net revenue, and analyzing operating income (loss) more appropriately reflects its core operations.

The revenue, operating income, depreciation and amortization, and capital expenditures, by segment, were as follows:



	December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Revenue
Executive Search
Americas	$	415,455		$	405,267		$	339,793
Europe	135,070			145,348			125,346
Asia Pacific	95,827			102,276			86,905
Total Executive Search	646,352			652,891			552,044
Heidrick Consulting	60,572			63,132			69,356
Revenue before reimbursements	706,924			716,023			621,400
Reimbursements	18,690			19,632			18,656
Total revenue	$	725,614		$	735,655		$	640,056

Operating income (loss)
Executive Search
Americas (1)	$	100,833		$	96,880		$	75,337
Europe (2)	3,026			5,849			13
Asia Pacific (3)	13,590			15,999			537
Total Executive Search	117,449			118,728			75,887
Heidrick Consulting (4)	(18,499		)	(13,619		)	(62,368		)
Total segments	98,950			105,109			13,519
Global Operations Support (5)	(35,439		)	(36,252		)	(40,042		)
Total operating income (loss)	$	63,511		$	68,857		$	(26,523	)

Depreciation and amortization
Executive Search
Americas	$	4,204		$	4,605		$	4,794
Europe	2,784			3,735			3,328
Asia Pacific	1,472			1,646			1,565
Total Executive Search	8,460			9,986			9,687
Heidrick Consulting	1,079			1,577			4,099
Total segments	9,539			11,563			13,786
Global Operations Support	832			959			988
Total depreciation and amortization	$	10,371		$	12,522		$	14,774

Capital expenditures
Executive Search
Americas	$	1,121		$	601		$	7,123
Europe	1,070			3,557			1,460
Asia Pacific	295			440			2,633
Total Executive Search	2,486			4,598			11,216
Heidrick Consulting	541			581			1,172
Total segments	3,027			5,179			12,388
Global Operations Support	325			1,006			3,298
Total capital expenditures	$	3,352		$	6,185		$	15,686


(1)	Operating income for the Americas includes restructuring charges of $4.1 million in 2019 and $0.8 million in 2017.


(2)	Operating income for Europe includes restructuring charges of $4.0 million in 2017.


(3)	Operating income for Asia Pacific includes restructuring charges of $2.0 million in 2017.


(4)	Operating loss for Heidrick Consulting includes impairment charges of $50.7 million and restructuring charges of $3.4 million in 2017.


(5)	Operating loss for Global Operations Support includes restructuring charges of less than $0.1 million in 2019 and $5.5 million in 2017.

Identifiable assets, and goodwill and other intangible assets, net, by segment, are as follows:



	December 31,
	2019		2018
Current assets
Executive Search
Americas	$	286,818	$	255,889
Europe	96,230		85,355
Asia Pacific	78,967		74,169
Total Executive Search	462,015		415,413
Heidrick Consulting	30,628		34,174
Total segments	492,643		449,587
Global Operations Support	1,839		1,280
Total allocated current assets	494,482		450,867
Unallocated non-current assets	220,925		125,454
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
Executive Search
Americas	93,054		88,462
Europe	26,893		27,010
Asia Pacific	8,819		8,836
Total Executive Search	128,766		124,308
Heidrick Consulting	—		—
Total goodwill and other intangible assets, net	128,766		124,308
Total assets	$	844,173	$	700,629

Pension Plan and Life Insurance Contract (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Schedule of Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations [Table Text Block]



	2019			2018
Benefit obligation at January 1,	$	20,908		$	23,886
Interest cost	338			373
Actuarial (gain) loss	1,506			(886		)
Benefits paid	(1,375		)	(1,450		)
Cumulative translation adjustment	(459		)	(1,015		)
Benefit obligation at December 31,	$	20,918		$	20,908

Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]

The components of and assumptions used to determine the net periodic benefit cost are as follows:



	December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Net period benefit cost:
Interest cost	$	338		$	373		$	362
Amortization of net loss	35			92			111
Net periodic benefit cost	$	373		$	465		$	473
Weighted average assumptions
Discount rate (1)	1.71		%	1.64		%	1.49		%
Rate of compensation increase	—		%	—		%	—		%

Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]

Assumptions to determine the Company’s benefit obligation are as follows:



	December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Discount rate (1)	1.03	%	1.71	%	1.64	%
Rate of compensation increase	—	%	—	%	—	%
Measurement Date	12/31/2019		12/31/2018		12/31/2017

Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]

The benefits expected to be paid in each of the next five years, and in the aggregate for the five years thereafter are as follows:



2020	$	1,318
2021	1,305
2022	1,288
2023	1,269
2024	1,245
2025 through 2029	5,713

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]

The benefit obligation amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:



	December 31,
	2019		2018
Current liabilities	$	1,318	$	1,349
Noncurrent liabilities	19,600		19,559
Total	$	20,918	$	20,908

Leases Lease, Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Leases Lease, Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Lease, Cost [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense		$ 33,200	$ 32,200
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term	4 years 8 months
Asset Retirement Obligation	$ 3,000	$ 2,700
Operating Lease, Expense	24,928
Variable Lease, Cost	7,932
Lease, Cost	$ 32,860
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	3.90%

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Equity [Abstract]

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component for the year ended December 31, 2019, are summarized below:



	Available- for- Sale Securities		Foreign Currency Translation		Pension			AOCI
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	—	$	5,258	$	(1,196	)	$	4,062
Other comprehensive income before classification, net of tax	13		844		(1,095		)	(238		)
Balance at December 31, 2019	$	13	$	6,102	$	(2,291	)	$	3,824

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Sources of Income (Loss) before Income Taxes

The sources of income (loss) before income taxes are as follows:



	December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
United States	$	53,461	$	47,191	$	(28,577	)
Foreign	15,828		23,301		(841		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	69,289	$	70,492	$	(29,418	)

Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes

The provision for (benefit from) income taxes are as follows:



	December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Current
Federal	$	11,311		$	12,311		$	10,107
State and local	4,422			4,843			2,372
Foreign	4,423			6,907			8,257
Current provision for income taxes	20,156			24,061			20,736
Deferred
Federal	2,031			6,403			5,642
State and local	698			(354		)	(2,951		)
Foreign	(465		)	(8,913		)	(4,210		)
Deferred provision (benefit) for income taxes	2,264			(2,864		)	(1,519		)
Total provision for income taxes	$	22,420		$	21,197		$	19,217

Reconciliation of Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes

A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes to income taxes at the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate of 21% for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, and 35% for the year ended December 31, 2017 is as follows:



	December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Income tax provision (benefit) at the statutory U.S. federal rate	$	14,551		$	14,803		$	(10,296	)
State income tax provision (benefit), net of federal tax benefit	3,509			3,242			(593		)
Nondeductible expenses, net	1,570			1,651			3,282
Foreign taxes (includes rate differential and changes in foreign valuation allowance)	698			(35		)	5,465
Release of valuation allowance	(117		)	(43		)	(3,200		)
Additional U.S. tax on foreign operations	2,550			1,628			—
Current/deferred true-up	(157		)	(1,199		)	567
Tax reform	—			—			23,732
Other, net	(184		)	1,150			260
Total provision for income taxes	$	22,420		$	21,197		$	19,217

Summary of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

The deferred tax assets and liabilities are attributable to the following components:



	December 31,
	2019			2018
Deferred tax assets attributable to:
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards	$	17,940		$	18,259
Accrued compensation and employee benefits	14,506			15,442
Deferred compensation	17,110			15,587
Foreign tax credit carryforwards	6,493			8,163
Accrued rent	2,655			3,096
Other accrued expenses	5,882			6,290
Deferred tax assets, before valuation allowance	64,586			66,837
Valuation allowance	(24,200		)	(26,460		)
Deferred tax assets, after valuation allowance	40,386			40,377
Deferred tax liabilities attributable to:
Goodwill	5,440			2,203
Taxes provided on unremitted earnings	—			765
Depreciation on property and equipment	1,652			2,040
Other	533			686
Deferred tax liabilities	7,625			5,694
Net deferred tax assets	$	32,761		$	34,683

Reconciliation of Amounts of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:



	December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at January 1,	$	1,128		$	740		$	1,038
Gross increases for tax positions of prior years	389			608			167
Gross decreases for tax positions of prior years	(377		)	—			—
Settlements	(1,010		)	(220		)	(465		)
Lapse of statute of limitations	—			—			—
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at December 31,	$	130		$	1,128		$	740

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ 46,869	$ 49,295	$ (48,635)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	19,103	18,917	18,735
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	19,551	19,532	18,735
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 2.45	$ 2.61	$ (2.60)
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 2.40	$ 2.52	$ (2.60)
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements			327
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	285	406	0
Performance Shares [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements			80
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	163	209	0

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References

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- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
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+ Details

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

Income Taxes - Sources of Income before Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
United States	$ 53,461	$ 47,191	$ (28,577)
Foreign	15,828	23,301	(841)
Income (loss) before income taxes	$ 69,289	$ 70,492	$ (29,418)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	$ 271,719	$ 279,906	$ 207,534
Restricted Cash Included with Current Assets	0	108	526
Restricted Cash Included with Non-Current Assets	0	248	102
Total Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash	$ 271,719	$ 280,262	$ 208,162

Stock-Based Compensation Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Phantom Stock Units Award Activity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Phantom Stock Units Award Activity [Line Items]

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Phantom Stock Units Award Activity [Table Text Block]

Phantom stock unit activity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 was as follows:



		Number of Phantom Stock Units
Outstanding on December 31, 2017		—
Granted		111,673
Vested		—
Forfeited		—
Outstanding on December 31, 2018		111,673
Granted		154,387
Vested		—
Forfeited		—
Outstanding on December 31, 2019		266,060

Property and Equipment, Net - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	$ 9.5	$ 11.0	$ 10.4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 900	$ 1,500	$ 4,400
2GET acquisition	3,793
Amrop acquisition		5,478
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	122,092	118,892	151,844
Goodwill, Gross	163,088	158,349		$ 151,844
Ending Balance	126,831	122,092	118,892
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	(36,257)	(36,257)		0
Goodwill, Impairment Loss			(36,257)
Philosophy IB [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill acquired			364
Foreign currency translation	946	(2,278)	2,941
Executive Search [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross	126,831	122,092
Executive Search [Member] \| Americas [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
2GET acquisition	3,793
Amrop acquisition		0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	88,410	88,690	88,101
Foreign currency translation	294	(280)	232
Goodwill, Gross	92,497	88,410		88,101
Ending Balance	92,497	88,410	88,690
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss				0
Goodwill, Impairment Loss			0
Executive Search [Member] \| Asia Pacific [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
2GET acquisition	0
Amrop acquisition		0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	8,758	9,302	8,893
Goodwill acquired			0
Foreign currency translation	(3)	(544)	409
Goodwill, Gross	8,755	8,758		8,893
Ending Balance	8,755	8,758	9,302
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss				0
Goodwill, Impairment Loss			0
Executive Search [Member] \| Europe [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
2GET acquisition	0
Amrop acquisition		5,478
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	24,924	20,900	19,092
Goodwill acquired			0
Foreign currency translation	655	(1,454)	1,808
Goodwill, Gross	25,579	24,924		19,092
Ending Balance	25,579	24,924	20,900
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss				0
Goodwill, Impairment Loss			0
Executive Search [Member] \| Philosophy IB [Member] \| Americas [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill acquired			357
Leadership Consulting [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss			(6,900)
Culture Shaping [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss			(29,300)
Heidrick Consulting [Domain]
Goodwill [Line Items]
2GET acquisition	0
Amrop acquisition		0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0	0	35,758
Goodwill acquired			7
Foreign currency translation	0	0	492
Goodwill, Gross	36,257	36,257		35,758
Ending Balance	$ 0	$ 0	0
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss				$ 0
Goodwill, Impairment Loss			$ 36,257

Segment Information - Identifiable Assets, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net, by Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current assets:
Total allocated current assets	$ 494,482	$ 450,867
Unallocated non-current assets	220,925	125,454
Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill)	128,766	124,308
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
Assets	844,173	700,629
Operating Segments [Member]
Current assets:
Total allocated current assets	492,643	449,587
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Current assets:
Total allocated current assets	1,839	1,280
Executive Search [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Current assets:
Total allocated current assets	462,015	415,413
Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill)	128,766	124,308
Heidrick Consulting [Domain] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Current assets:
Total allocated current assets	30,628	34,174
Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill)	0	0
Americas [Member] \| Executive Search [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Current assets:
Total allocated current assets	286,818	255,889
Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill)	93,054	88,462
Europe [Member] \| Executive Search [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Current assets:
Total allocated current assets	96,230	85,355
Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill)	26,893	27,010
Asia Pacific [Member] \| Executive Search [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Current assets:
Total allocated current assets	78,967	74,169
Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill)	$ 8,819	$ 8,836

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans	Dec. 31, 2019
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Qualified Retirement Plan The Company has a defined contribution retirement plan (the “Plan”) for all eligible employees in the United States. Eligible employees may begin participating in the Plan upon their hire date. The Plan contains a 401(k) provision, which provides for employee pre-tax and/or after-tax contributions, from 1% to 50% of their eligible compensation up to a combined maximum permitted by law. The Company matched employee contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis per participant up to the greater of $6,000, or 6.0%, of eligible compensation for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. Employees are eligible for the Company match immediately provided that they are working on the last day of the Plan year in which the match is made. The Plan also provides for employees who retire, die or become disabled during the Plan year to receive the Company match for that Plan year. The Plan provides that forfeitures will be used to reduce the Company’s contributions. Forfeitures are created annually by participants who terminate employment before becoming entitled to the Company’s matching contribution under the Plan. The Company also has the option of making discretionary contributions. There were no discretionary contributions made for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. The expense that the Company incurred for matching employee contributions for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, was $6.3 million, $5.7 million and $5.6 million, respectively. Deferred Compensation Plans The Company has a deferred compensation plan for certain U.S. employees (the “U.S. Plan”) that became effective on January 1, 2006. The U.S. Plan allows participants to defer up to 25% of their base compensation and up to the lesser of $500,000 or 25% of their eligible bonus compensation into several different investment vehicles. These deferrals are immediately vested and are not subject to a risk of forfeiture. In 2019 and 2018, all deferrals in the U.S. Plan were funded. The compensation deferred in the U.S. Plan was $23.8 million and $18.3 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The assets of the U.S. Plan are included in Investments and the liabilities of the U.S. Plan are included in Retirement and pension plans in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. The Company has a Non-Employee Directors Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan whereby non-employee members of the Company’s Board of Directors may elect to defer up to 100% of the cash component of their directors’ fees into several different investment vehicles. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the total amounts deferred under the plan were $1.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively, all of which were funded. The assets of the plan are included in Investments and the liabilities of the plan are included in Retirement and pension plans in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2019 and 2018. The U.S. and Non-Employee Directors Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plans consist primarily of marketable securities and mutual funds, all of which are valued using Level 1 inputs (See Note 7, Financial Instruments and Fair Value).

Pension Plan and Life Insurance Contract - Benefit Obligation Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Liability, Pension and Other Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits, Current	$ 1,318	$ 1,349
Liability, Pension and Other Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits, Noncurrent	19,600	19,559
Liability, Defined Benefit Plan	$ 20,918	$ 20,908

Label	Element	Value
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	$ 165,570,000

Restructuring Schedule of Restructuring Charges by Segment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Schedule of Restructuring Charges by Segment [Line Items]

Schedule of Restructuring Charges by Segment [Table Text Block]

Restructuring charges by operating segment for the years ended December 31, were as follows:



	December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Executive Search
Americas	$	4,102	$	—	$	784
Europe	—		—		3,993
Asia Pacific	—		—		2,046
Total Executive Search	4,102		—		6,823
Heidrick Consulting	—		—		3,393
Global Operations Support	28		—		5,450
Total restructuring	$	4,130	$	—	$	15,666

Stock-based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 3.0	$ 1.2
Former Chief Executive Officer [Domain]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock Granted, Value, Share-based Compensation, Forfeited			100.00%
Percent of 2014 Stock Compensation to Continue Vesting			100.00%
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance stock units vesting period	3 years
Pre-tax unrecognized compensation expense	$ 11.4
Expected time to be recognized	2 years 6 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	270,488	297,664
Restricted Stock Units [Member] \| Former Chief Executive Officer [Domain]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation, 2017 Grants Forfeited			3935200.00%
Share-based Compensation, 2014 Grants to Continue Vesting			4166700.00%
Share-based Compensation, 2015 and 2016 Grants to Continue Vesting			9,948
Share-based Compensation, 2015 and 2016 Grants Forfeited			28,903.00
Performance Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pre-tax unrecognized compensation expense	$ 3.4
Expected time to be recognized	1 year 10 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	81,661	102,138
Performance Stock Units [Member] \| Former Chief Executive Officer [Domain]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation, 2017 Grants Forfeited			3935200.00%
Share-based Compensation, 2015 and 2016 Grants to Continue Vesting			50,007
Share-based Compensation, 2015 and 2016 Grants Forfeited			26,246.00
Performance Stock Units [Member] \| Executive Officer [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance stock units vesting period	3 years
Performance stock units, Expiration Period	3 years
Performance Stock Units [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Executive Officer [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance stock units, variation percentage	0.00%
Performance Stock Units [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Executive Officer [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance stock units, variation percentage	200.00%
Phantom Share Units (PSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pre-tax unrecognized compensation expense	$ 5.2
Expected time to be recognized	3 years 3 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	154,387	111,673
2012 Program [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period	2,551,441
Shares available for future awards	981,682
Number of forfeited awards under 2012 Program (in shares)	683,123

Restructuring Restructuring Charges and Related Cash Payments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Restructuring Charges and Related Cash Payments [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve		$ 1,286	$ 13,025	$ 3,245	$ 0
Restructuring Charges	$ 4,130	0	15,666
Payments for Restructuring	(2,213)	(9,930)	(2,486)
Restructuring Charges, Non-cash Write-offs	17	(195)	155
Other Restructuring Costs	(4)	1,933
Restructuring Reserve, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)	55	(71)
Employee Severance [Member]
Schedule of Restructuring Charges and Related Cash Payments [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve		1,269	11,866	3,245	0
Restructuring Charges	4,130		13,065
Payments for Restructuring	(2,213)	(8,689)	(1,199)
Restructuring Charges, Non-cash Write-offs	0	0	0
Other Restructuring Costs	(4)	1,843
Restructuring Reserve, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)	55	(65)
Real Estate Related Expenses [Domain]
Schedule of Restructuring Charges and Related Cash Payments [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	0	0	148		0
Restructuring Charges	0		308
Payments for Restructuring	0	(248)	(5)
Restructuring Charges, Non-cash Write-offs	0	(195)	155
Other Restructuring Costs	0	95
Restructuring Reserve, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)	0	0
Other Professional and Consulting Fees [Domain]
Schedule of Restructuring Charges and Related Cash Payments [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve		17	1,011	$ 0	$ 0
Restructuring Charges	0		2,293
Payments for Restructuring	0	(993)	(1,282)
Restructuring Charges, Non-cash Write-offs	17	0	$ 0
Other Restructuring Costs	0	(5)
Restructuring Reserve, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)	$ 0	$ (6)

Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A three-level fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:


•	Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.


•	Level 2 – Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, or other inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.


•	Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets and liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

The Company's investments in marketable debt securities, which consist of U.S. Treasury bills and commercial paper, are classified and accounted for as available-for-sale. The Company classifies its marketable debt securities as either short-term or long-term based on each instrument's underlying contractual maturity date. Unrealized gains and losses on marketable debt securities classified as available-for-sale are recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income in the Consolidated Balance Sheets until realized.

The Company's cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities by significant investment category are as follows:



	Fair Value								Balance Sheet Classification
	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Cash and Cash Equivalents		Marketable Securities
Balance at December 31, 2019
Cash									$	177,493	$	—

Level 1:
Money market funds							15,661		15,661		—
U.S. Treasury securities	139,705		13		—		139,718		78,565		61,153
Total Level 1	155,366		13		—		155,379		94,226		61,153

Total	$	155,366	$	13	$	—	$	155,379	$	271,719	$	61,153



	Fair Value								Balance Sheet Classification
	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Cash and Cash Equivalents		Marketable Securities
Balance at December 31, 2018
Cash									$	279,829	$	—

Level 1:
Money market funds							77		77		—

Total	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	77	$	279,906	$	—

Investments, Assets Designated for Retirement and Pension Plans and Associated Liabilities

The Company has a U.S. non-qualified deferred compensation plan that consists primarily of U.S. marketable securities and mutual funds. The aggregate cost basis for these investments was $17.2 million and $14.6 million as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

The Company also maintains a pension plan for certain current and former employees in Germany. The pensions are individually fixed Euro amounts that vary depending on the function and the eligible years of service of the employee. The Company’s investment strategy is to support its pension obligations through reinsurance contracts. The BaFin—German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority—supervises the insurance companies and the reinsurance contracts. The BaFin requires each reinsurance contract to guarantee a fixed minimum return. The Company’s pension benefits are fully reinsured by group insurance contracts with ERGO Lebensversicherung AG, and the group insurance contracts are measured in accordance with BaFin guidelines (including mortality tables and discount rates) which are considered Level 2 inputs.

The following tables provide a summary of the fair value measurements for each major category of investments, assets designated for retirement and pension plans and associated liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:



				Balance Sheet Classification
	Fair Value			Other Current Assets		Assets Designated for Retirement and Pension Plans		Investments		Other Current Liabilities			Retirement and Pension Plans
Balance at December 31, 2019

Level 1:
U.S. non-qualified deferred compensation plan	$	25,409		$	—	$	—	$	25,409	$	—		$	—

Level 2:
Retirement and pension plan assets	15,296			1,318		13,978		—		—			—
Pension benefit obligation	(20,918		)	—		—		—		(1,318		)	(19,600		)
Total Level 2	(5,622		)	1,318		13,978		—		(1,318		)	(19,600		)

Total	$	19,787		$	1,318	$	13,978	$	25,409	$	(1,318	)	$	(19,600	)



				Balance Sheet Classification
	Fair Value			Other Current Assets		Assets Designated for Retirement and Pension Plans		Investments		Other Current Liabilities			Retirement and Pension Plans
Balance at December 31, 2018

Level 1:
U.S. non-qualified deferred compensation plan	$	19,442		$	—	$	—	$	19,442	$	—		$	—

Level 2:
Retirement and pension plan assets	16,384			1,349		15,035		—		—			—
Pension benefit obligation	(20,908		)	—		—		—		(1,349		)	(19,559		)
Total Level 2	(4,524		)	1,349		15,035		—		(1,349		)	(19,559		)

Total	$	14,918		$	1,349	$	15,035	$	19,442	$	(1,349	)	$	(19,559	)

Contingent Consideration

The former owners of the entities acquired by the Company are eligible to receive additional cash consideration based on the attainment of certain operating metrics in the periods subsequent to acquisition. Contingent consideration is valued using significant inputs that are not observable in the market which are defined as Level 3 inputs pursuant to fair value measurement accounting. The Company determines the fair value of contingent consideration using discounted cash flow models. As of December 31, 2019, all contingent consideration accruals are recorded within Other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of Level 3 liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2019:



	Acquisition Earnout Accruals
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	(6,627	)
Earnout accretion	(668		)
Earnout payments	3,009
Earnout adjustment	(1,062		)
Foreign currency translation	70
Balance at December 31, 2019	$	(5,278	)

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Stock-based Compensation - Summary of Information with Respect to Stock-Based Compensation (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 3,000,000	$ 1,200,000
Income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation included in net income	3,529,000	2,674,000	$ 1,948,000
Salaries and Employee Benefits [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost	12,857,000	9,548,000	4,597,000
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost	$ 460,000	$ 562,000	$ 338,000

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Next Fiscal Year	$ 1,318,000
Minimum amount of employee contributions	$ 6,000
Percentage of eligible compensation	6.00%
Discretionary contribution amount	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
U.S. Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage to defer up base compensation of employees	25.00%
Amount to defer up bonus compensation of employees	$ 500,000
Percentage to defer up eligible bonus compensation	25.00%
Amount of compensation deferred in plan	$ 23,800,000	18,300,000
Percentage to defer up cash component of director's fees for non-employee [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage to defer up directors' fees	100.00%
Non-Employee Directors Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amount of compensation deferred in plan	$ 1,600,000	1,100,000
Qualified Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage for employee pre-tax and/or after-tax contributions, minimum	1.00%
Percentage for employee pre-tax and/or after-tax contributions, maximum	50.00%
Minimum amount of employee contributions		$ 6,000	$ 6,000
Percentage of eligible compensation		6.00%	6.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost	$ 6,300,000	$ 5,700,000	$ 5,600,000

Restructuring (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]

Restructuring Charges

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $4.1 million related to the closing of the Company's legacy Brazil operations due to the acquisition of 2GET (see Note 8, Acquisitions). The restructuring charges primarily consist of employee-related costs for the Company's legacy Brazil operations. The America's incurred $4.1 million in restructuring charges, while Global Operations Support incurred less than $0.1 million in restructuring charges.

In 2017, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $15.7 million in connection with initiatives to reduce overall costs and improve operational efficiencies. The primary components of the restructuring included: the elimination of two executive officer roles for a flatter leadership structure, a workforce reduction as the firm aligned its support resources to better meet operational needs and recognize synergies with the combination of Leadership Consulting and Culture Shaping, a reduction of the firm’s real estate expenses and support costs by consolidating or closing three of its locations across its global footprint and the acceleration of future expenses under certain contractual obligations.

These charges consisted of $13.1 million of employee-related costs, including severance associated with reductions in our workforce of 251 employees globally, $2.3 million of other professional and consulting fees and $0.3 million of expenses associated with closing three office locations.

Restructuring charges by operating segment for the years ended December 31, were as follows:



	December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Executive Search
Americas	$	4,102	$	—	$	784
Europe	—		—		3,993
Asia Pacific	—		—		2,046
Total Executive Search	4,102		—		6,823
Heidrick Consulting	—		—		3,393
Global Operations Support	28		—		5,450
Total restructuring	$	4,130	$	—	$	15,666

Changes in the restructuring accrual for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 were as follows:



	Employee Related			Office Related			Other			Total
Accrual balance at December 31, 2016	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Restructuring charges	13,065			308			2,293			15,666
Cash payments	(1,199		)	(5		)	(1,282		)	(2,486		)
Non-cash write-offs	—			(155		)	—			(155		)
Accrual balance at December 31, 2017	11,866			148			1,011			13,025
Cash payments	(8,689		)	(248		)	(993		)	(9,930		)
Non-cash write-offs	—			195			—			195
Other	(1,843		)	(95		)	5			(1,933		)
Exchange rate fluctuations	(65		)	—			(6		)	(71		)
Accrual balance at December 31, 2018	1,269			—			17			1,286
Restructuring charges	4,130			—			—			4,130
Cash payments	(2,213		)	—			—			(2,213		)
Non-cash write-offs	—			—			(17		)	(17		)
Other	4			—			—			4
Exchange rate fluctuations	55			—			—			55
Accrual balance at December 31, 2019	$	3,245		$	—		$	—		$	3,245

Stock-Based Compensation Stock-based Compensation - Phantom Stock Unit Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Schedule of Nonvested Performance-based Phantom Units [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 3.0	$ 1.2
Performance Shares [Member]
Schedule of Nonvested Performance-based Phantom Units [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	266,060	111,673	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	154,387	111,673
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	0	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	0	0

Acquisition	12 Months Ended
Acquisition	Dec. 31, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisition	2Get Holdings Limited In September 2019, the Company acquired 2GET Holdings Limited ("2GET"), a Brazil-based provider of executive search services, and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, the Company paid $5.2 million of initial consideration for substantially all of the outstanding equity of 2GET. The acquisition was funded with $4.1 million of existing cash at closing and $1.1 million of the Company's common stock transferred in October 2019. The common stock transferred as consideration was reissued from the Company's treasury stock. The former owners of 2GET are eligible to receive additional cash consideration, which the Company estimates to be between $5.0 million and $15.0 million, based on the achievement of certain revenue and EBITDA milestones for the period from acquisition through 2023. The additional consideration is linked to future service with the Company and is accounted for as compensation expense. The Company recorded $0.7 million of intangible assets, consisting of the trade name of $0.4 million and customer relationships of $0.3 million, $3.8 million of goodwill, and $0.7 million of net working capital. The goodwill is primarily related to the acquired workforce and strategic fit. The Company will not be able to deduct the recorded goodwill for tax purposes. Amrop A/S In January 2018, the Company acquired Amrop A/S ("Amrop"), a Denmark-based provider of executive search services for 24.3 million Danish Kroner (equivalent to $3.9 million on the acquisition date) of initial consideration which was funded from existing cash. The former owners of Amrop are expected to receive additional cash consideration based on fee revenue generated during the two-year period following the completion of the acquisition. When estimating the value of future cash consideration, the Company has accrued $5.3 million as of December 31, 2019. The Company recorded $1.7 million of intangible assets related to customer relationships and $5.5 million of goodwill. The goodwill is primarily related to the acquired workforce and strategic fit.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Intangible Assets- Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 04, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired		$ 700,000
Net Carrying Amount		1,935,000	$ 2,216,000
Intangible asset amortization expense, excluding impairment charge		900,000	1,500,000	$ 4,400,000
Estimated Intangible asset amortization expense 2020		798,000
Estimated Intangible asset amortization expense 2021		507,000
Estimated Intangible asset amortization expense 2022		319,000
Estimated Intangible asset amortization expense 2023		188,000
Estimated Intangible asset amortization expense 2024		76,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Five		47,000
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 1,700,000	300,000
Net Carrying Amount		1,619,000	2,216,000
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired		400,000
Net Carrying Amount		$ 316,000	$ 0

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Estimated Useful Life of Property and Equipment (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Office Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of assets	5 years
Office Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of assets	10 years
Computer Equipment and Software [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of assets	3 years
Computer Equipment and Software [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of assets	7 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of assets	3 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of assets	10 years

Marketable Securities and Investments Cash and Available-for-sale Securities by Significant Investment Type (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Cash and Available-for-sale Securities by Significant Investment Category [Line Items]

Cash and Available-for-sale Securities by Significant Investment Category [Table Text Block]

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

The Company's cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities by significant investment category are as follows:



	Fair Value								Balance Sheet Classification
	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Cash and Cash Equivalents		Marketable Securities
Balance at December 31, 2019
Cash									$	177,493	$	—

Level 1:
Money market funds							15,661		15,661		—
U.S. Treasury securities	139,705		13		—		139,718		78,565		61,153
Total Level 1	155,366		13		—		155,379		94,226		61,153

Total	$	155,366	$	13	$	—	$	155,379	$	271,719	$	61,153



	Fair Value								Balance Sheet Classification
	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Cash and Cash Equivalents		Marketable Securities
Balance at December 31, 2018
Cash									$	279,829	$	—

Level 1:
Money market funds							77		77		—

Total	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	77	$	279,906	$	—

Segment Information - Revenue, Operating Income, Depreciation and Amortization, and Capital Expenditures, by Segment (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net of Reimbursements	$ 706,924	$ 716,023	$ 621,400
Revenue:
Reimbursements Revenue	18,690	19,632	18,656
Total revenue	725,614	735,655	640,056
Operating income (loss)
Operating (loss) income	63,511	68,857	(26,523)
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	10,371	12,522	14,774
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures	$ 3,352	6,185	15,686
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments	4
Operating income (loss)
Operating (loss) income	$ 98,950	105,109	13,519
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	9,539	11,563	13,786
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures	3,027	5,179	12,388
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Operating income (loss)
Operating (loss) income	(35,439)	(36,252)	(40,042)
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	832	959	988
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures	325	1,006	3,298
Executive Search [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net of Reimbursements	646,352	652,891	552,044
Operating income (loss)
Operating (loss) income	117,449	118,728	75,887
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	8,460	9,986	9,687
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures	2,486	4,598	11,216
Heidrick Consulting [Domain] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net of Reimbursements	60,572	63,132	69,356
Operating income (loss)
Operating (loss) income	(18,499)	(13,619)	(62,368)
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	1,079	1,577	4,099
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures	541	581	1,172
Americas [Member] \| Executive Search [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net of Reimbursements	415,455	405,267	339,793
Operating income (loss)
Operating (loss) income	100,833	96,880	75,337
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	4,204	4,605	4,794
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures	1,121	601	7,123
Europe [Member] \| Executive Search [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net of Reimbursements	135,070	145,348	125,346
Operating income (loss)
Operating (loss) income	3,026	5,849	13
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	2,784	3,735	3,328
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures	1,070	3,557	1,460
Asia Pacific [Member] \| Executive Search [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net of Reimbursements	95,827	102,276	86,905
Operating income (loss)
Operating (loss) income	13,590	15,999	537
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	1,472	1,646	1,565
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures	$ 295	$ 440	$ 2,633

Leases Lease, Cost (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Leases [Abstract]

Lease, Cost [Table Text Block]

Lease cost components included within General and Administrative Expenses in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the year ended December 31, 2019, were as follows:



Operating lease cost	$	24,928
Variable lease cost	7,932
Total lease cost	$	32,860

Guarantees - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Guarantees - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Guarantees [Abstract]
Extend termination dates of the leases	extend through 2030
Maximum undiscounted payments under outstanding guarantees	$ 2.5

Pension Plan and Life Insurance Contract - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	$ 338	$ 373	$ 362
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gain (Loss)	35	92	111
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)	$ 373	$ 465	$ 473
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate	1.71%	1.64%	1.49%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Rate of Compensation Increase	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Defined Benefit Plan Amounts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Not Yet Recognized In Net Periodic Benefit Cost	$ 4,000	$ 2,600
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	15,296	$ 16,384
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Next Fiscal Year	$ 1,318

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") by Component (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 4,062
Ending balance	3,824
Available-for-Sale Securities Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0
Other comprehensive income before classification, net of tax	13
Ending balance	13
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	5,258
Other comprehensive income before classification, net of tax	844
Ending balance	6,102
Pension Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(1,196)
Other comprehensive income before classification, net of tax	(1,095)
Ending balance	(2,291)
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income before classification, net of tax	$ (238)

Income Taxes - Summary of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Deferred tax assets attributable to:
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards	$ 17,940	$ 18,259
Accrued compensation and employee benefits	14,506	15,442
Deferred compensation	17,110	15,587
Foreign tax credit carryforwards	6,493	8,163
Accrued rent	2,655	3,096
Other accrued expenses	5,882	6,290
Deferred tax assets, after valuation allowance	64,586	66,837
Valuation allowance	(24,200)	(26,460)
Deferred tax assets, after valuation allowance	40,386	40,377
Deferred tax liabilities attributable to:
Goodwill	5,440	2,203
Taxes provided on unremitted earnings	0	765
Depreciation on property and equipment	1,652	2,040
Other	533	686
Deferred tax liabilities	7,625	5,694
Net deferred tax assets	32,761	34,683
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	116,100	118,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards	6,500	8,200
Tax Credit Carryforward, Valuation Allowance	6,500	8,200
Deferred tax liabilities attributable to:
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Valuation Allowance	$ 76,900	$ 59,800
Minimum [Member]
Deferred tax liabilities attributable to:
Foreign Tax Credit Carryforward Expiring Period	5 years	5 years
Maximum [Member]
Deferred tax liabilities attributable to:
Foreign Tax Credit Carryforward Expiring Period	20 years	20 years

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Schedule of Finite Lived Intangible Assets by Segment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]

Schedule Of Finite Lived Intangible Assets By Segment [Table Text Block]

The Company’s other intangible assets, net, by segment, are as follows:



	December 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Executive Search
Americas	$	557	$	52
Europe	1,314		2,086
Asia Pacific	64		78
Total Executive Search	1,935		2,216
Heidrick Consulting	—		—
Total Other Intangible Assets, Net	$	1,935	$	2,216

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019	Feb. 21, 2020	Jun. 28, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	HSII
Entity Registrant Name	HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001066605
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		19,170,352
Entity Public Float			$ 484,944,428

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Receivables [Abstract]

Summary of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The activity of the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended:



	December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Balance at January 1,	$	3,502		$	2,534		$	2,575
Provision charged to income	5,900			3,790			963
Write-offs	(4,270		)	(2,708		)	(1,134		)
Foreign currency translation	8			(114		)	130
Balance at December 31,	$	5,140		$	3,502		$	2,534

Stock-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company's Second Amended and Restated 2012 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program (the "2012 Program') provides for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights and other stock-based awards that are valued based upon the grant date fair value of shares. These awards may be granted to directors, selected employees and independent contractors.

As of December 31, 2019, 2,551,441 shares have been issued under the 2012 Program and 981,682 shares remain available for future awards, which includes 683,123 forfeited shares. The 2012 Program provides that no awards can be granted after May 24, 2028.

In September 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with its former Chief Executive Officer pursuant to which Mr. Wolstencroft voluntarily agreed, with the concurrence of the Board of Directors, to forfeit 100 percent of his 2017 restricted stock unit and performance stock unit grants totaling 39,352 restricted stock units and 39,352 performance stock units. Mr. Wolstencroft vested in 41,667 restricted stock units, or 100 percent of his 2014 sign-on restricted stock unit grant, without proration. With respect to his 2015 and 2016 restricted stock unit and performance stock unit grants, Mr. Wolstencroft vested an agreed upon pro-rata portion of the tranches scheduled to vest in 2017 through 2019 (and with the performance goals for performance stock units deemed to have been achieved at target level performance) totaling 9,948 restricted stock units and 50,007 performance stock units, and he agreed to forfeit the remaining portions of such 2015 and 2016 restricted stock unit and performance stock unit awards totaling 28,903 restricted stock units and 26,246 performance stock units.

The Company measures its stock-based compensation costs based on the grant date fair value of the awards and recognizes these costs in the financial statements over the requisite service period.

A summary of information with respect to stock-based compensation is as follows:



	December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Salaries and employee benefits (1)	$	12,857	$	9,548	$	4,597
General and administrative expenses	460		562		338
Income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation included in net income	3,529		2,674		1,948

(1) Includes $3.0 million and $1.2 million of expense related to cash settled restricted stock units for the years ended December 31, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock units are generally subject to ratable vesting over a three-year period. Beginning in 2018, a portion of the Company's restricted stock units are subject to ratable vesting over a four-year period. Compensation expense related to service-based restricted stock units is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

Restricted stock unit activity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:



	Number of Restricted Stock Units		Weighted- Average Grant-date Fair Value
Outstanding on December 31, 2017	491,154		$	21.92
Granted	297,664		34.64
Vested and converted to common stock	(199,550	)	21.66
Forfeited	(76,822	)	25.76
Outstanding on December 31, 2018	512,446		28.83
Granted	270,488		33.55
Vested and converted to common stock	(175,792	)	24.19
Forfeited	(8,154	)	34.29
Outstanding on December 31, 2019	598,988		$	32.25

As of December 31, 2019, there was $11.4 million of pre-tax unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock units, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 2.5 years.

Performance Stock Units

The Company grants performance stock units to certain of its senior executives. The performance stock units are generally subject to a cliff vesting at the end of a three-year period. The vesting will vary between 0% - 200% based on the attainment of operating income goals over the three-year vesting period. The performance stock units are expensed on a straight-line basis over the three-year vesting period.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, performance stock units were granted to certain employees of the Company, subject to a cliff vesting period of three years and certain other performance conditions. Half of award is based on the achievement of certain operating margin thresholds and half of the award is based on the Company's total shareholder return, relative to a peer group. The fair value of the awards based on total shareholder return was determined using the Monte-Carlo simulation model. A Monte Carlo simulation model uses stock price volatility and other variables to estimate the probability of satisfying the performance conditions and the resulting fair value of the award.

Performance share unit activity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was as follows:



	Number of Performance Stock Units		Weighted- Average Grant-date Fair Value
Outstanding on December 31, 2017	185,891		$	23.82
Granted	102,138		25.81
Vested and converted to common stock	(43,361	)	23.64
Forfeited	(47,551	)	23.87
Outstanding on December 31, 2018	197,117		24.88
Granted	81,661		35.58
Vested and converted to common stock	(99,219	)	25.04
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding on December 31, 2019	179,559		$	32.63

As of December 31, 2019, there was $3.4 million of pre-tax unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested performance stock units, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 1.8 years.

Phantom Stock Units

Phantom stock units are grants of phantom stock with respect to shares of the Company's common stock that are settled in cash and are subject to various restrictions, including restrictions on transferability, vesting and forfeiture provisions. Shares of phantom stock that do not vest for any reason will be forfeited by the recipient and will revert to the Company.

Phantom stock units are subject to vesting over a period of four years and certain other conditions, including continued service to the Company. As a result of the cash-settlement feature of the awards, the Company considers the awards to be liability awards, which are measured at fair value at each reporting date and the vested portion of the award is recognized as a liability to the extent that the service condition is deemed probable. The fair value of the phantom stock awards on the balance sheet date was determined using the closing share price of the Company's common stock on that date and is included within Accrued salaries and benefits - non-current on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company recorded phantom stock-based compensation expense of $3.0 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Phantom stock unit activity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 was as follows:



		Number of Phantom Stock Units
Outstanding on December 31, 2017		—
Granted		111,673
Vested		—
Forfeited		—
Outstanding on December 31, 2018		111,673
Granted		154,387
Vested		—
Forfeited		—
Outstanding on December 31, 2019		266,060

As of December 31, 2019, there was $5.2 million of pre-tax unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested phantom stock units, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 3.3 years.

Other Non-Current Liabilities - Components of Other Non-Current Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Premise related costs	$ 2,392	$ 15,473
Other	2,242	1,950
Total other non-current liabilities	$ 4,634	$ 17,423

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Amounts of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at January 1,	$ 1,128	$ 740	$ 1,038
Gross increases for tax positions of prior years	389	608	167
Gross decreases for tax positions of prior years	(377)	0	0
Settlements	(1,010)	(220)	(465)
Lapse of statute of limitations	0	0	0
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at December 31,	$ 130	$ 1,128	$ 740

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	19,585,777	19,585,777
Common stock, shares outstanding	19,165,954	18,954,275
Treasury stock, shares	419,823	631,502

Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is engaged in providing executive search and consulting services to clients on a retained basis. The Company operates in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. The consolidated financial statements include Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries and have been prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Significant items subject to estimates and assumptions include revenue recognition, allowances for deferred tax assets and liabilities, and assessment of goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment. Estimates are subject to a degree of uncertainty and actual results could differ from these estimates.

Marketable Securities and Investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]

Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Table Text Block]



				Balance Sheet Classification
	Fair Value			Other Current Assets		Assets Designated for Retirement and Pension Plans		Investments		Other Current Liabilities			Retirement and Pension Plans
Balance at December 31, 2019

Level 1:
U.S. non-qualified deferred compensation plan	$	25,409		$	—	$	—	$	25,409	$	—		$	—

Level 2:
Retirement and pension plan assets	15,296			1,318		13,978		—		—			—
Pension benefit obligation	(20,918		)	—		—		—		(1,318		)	(19,600		)
Total Level 2	(5,622		)	1,318		13,978		—		(1,318		)	(19,600		)

Total	$	19,787		$	1,318	$	13,978	$	25,409	$	(1,318	)	$	(19,600	)



				Balance Sheet Classification
	Fair Value			Other Current Assets		Assets Designated for Retirement and Pension Plans		Investments		Other Current Liabilities			Retirement and Pension Plans
Balance at December 31, 2018

Level 1:
U.S. non-qualified deferred compensation plan	$	19,442		$	—	$	—	$	19,442	$	—		$	—

Level 2:
Retirement and pension plan assets	16,384			1,349		15,035		—		—			—
Pension benefit obligation	(20,908		)	—		—		—		(1,349		)	(19,559		)
Total Level 2	(4,524		)	1,349		15,035		—		(1,349		)	(19,559		)

Total	$	14,918		$	1,349	$	15,035	$	19,442	$	(1,349	)	$	(19,559	)

Guarantees	12 Months Ended
Guarantees	Dec. 31, 2019
Guarantees [Abstract]
Guarantees	The Company has utilized letters of credit to support certain obligations, primarily the payment of office lease obligations and business license requirements for certain of its subsidiaries in Europe and Asia Pacific. The letters of credit were made to secure the respective agreements and are for the terms of the agreements, which extend through 2030. For each letter of credit issued, the Company would have to use cash to fulfill the obligation if the subsidiary defaults on a lease payment. The maximum amount of undiscounted payments the Company would be required to make in the event of default on all outstanding letters of credit was approximately $2.5 million as of December 31, 2019. The Company has not accrued for these arrangements as no event of default exists or is expected to exist.

Leases (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Leases [Abstract]

Lessee Operating Leases Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Table Text Block]

Supplemental cash flow information related to the Company's operating leases for the year ended December 31, 2019, was as follows:



Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	33,797
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	$	19,640

Lessee Operating Lease Weighted Averages [Table Text Block]

The weighted average remaining lease term and weighted average discount rate for our operating leases as of December 31, 2019 was as follows:



Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term
Operating leases	4.7 years
Weighted Average Discount Rate
Operating leases	3.9	%

Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block]

The future maturities of the Company's operating lease liabilities for the years ended December 31, were as follows:



	Operating Lease Maturity
2020	$	30,246
2021	27,229
2022	23,577
2023	20,555
2024	9,981
Thereafter	8,983
Total lease payments	120,571
Less: Interest	(10,228		)
Present value of lease liabilities	$	110,343

Line of Credit	12 Months Ended
Line of Credit	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Line of Credit	On October 26, 2018, the Company entered into a new Credit Agreement (the "2018 Credit Agreement") to replace the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Restated Credit Agreement") executed on June 30, 2015. The 2018 Credit Agreement provides the Company with a senior unsecured revolving line of credit with an aggregate commitment of $175 million, which includes a sublimit of $25 million for letters of credit, and a $10 million swingline loan sublimit. The agreement also includes a $75 million expansion feature. The 2018 Credit Agreement will mature in October 2023. Borrowings under the 2018 Credit Agreement bear interest at the Company's election of the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the 2018 Credit Agreement) or Adjusted LIBOR (as defined in the 2018 Credit Agreement) plus a spread as determined by the Company’s leverage ratio. Borrowings under the 2018 Credit Agreement may be used for working capital, capital expenditures, Permitted Acquisitions (as defined in the 2018 Credit Agreement) and for other general purposes of the Company and its subsidiaries. The obligations under the 2018 Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain of the Company's subsidiaries. The Company capitalized approximately $1.0 million of loan acquisition costs related to the 2018 Credit Agreement, which will be amortized over the remaining term of the agreement. Before October 26, 2018, the Company was party to its Restated Credit Agreement. The Restated Credit Agreement provided a single senior unsecured revolving line of credit with an aggregate commitment of up to $100 million, which includes a sublimit of $25 million for letters of credit, and a $50 million expansion feature (the “Replacement Facility”). Borrowings under the Restated Credit Agreement bore interest at the Company’s election of the existing Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Restated Credit Agreement) or Adjusted LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Restated Credit Agreement) plus a spread as determined by the Company’s leverage ratio. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company borrowed $20 million under the Restated Credit Agreement and elected the Adjusted LIBOR Rate. The Company subsequently repaid $8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and $12 million during the three months ended June 30, 2018. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company borrowed $40 million under the Restated Credit Agreement and elected the Adjusted LIBOR rate. The Company subsequently repaid $15 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and $25 million during the three months ended June 30, 2017. As of December 31, 2019, and 2018, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the 2018 Credit Agreement. The Company was in compliance with the financial and other covenants under the 2018 Credit Agreement and no event of default existed.

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Dec. 31, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Litigation The Company has contingent liabilities from various pending claims and litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of the Company’s business, some of which involve claims for damages that are substantial in amount. Some of these matters are covered by insurance. Based upon information currently available, the Company believes the ultimate resolution of such claims and litigation will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Other Current Assets and Non-Current Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]

Other Non-Current Liabilities

The components of other current assets are as follows:



	December 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Contract assets	$	22,257	$	23,975
Other	5,591		5,623
Total other current assets	$	27,848	$	29,598

The components of other non-current liabilities are as follows:



	December 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Premise related costs	$	2,392	$	15,473
Other	2,242		1,950
Total other non-current liabilities	$	4,634	$	17,423

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

The sources of income (loss) before income taxes are as follows:



	December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
United States	$	53,461	$	47,191	$	(28,577	)
Foreign	15,828		23,301		(841		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	69,289	$	70,492	$	(29,418	)

The provision for (benefit from) income taxes are as follows:



	December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Current
Federal	$	11,311		$	12,311		$	10,107
State and local	4,422			4,843			2,372
Foreign	4,423			6,907			8,257
Current provision for income taxes	20,156			24,061			20,736
Deferred
Federal	2,031			6,403			5,642
State and local	698			(354		)	(2,951		)
Foreign	(465		)	(8,913		)	(4,210		)
Deferred provision (benefit) for income taxes	2,264			(2,864		)	(1,519		)
Total provision for income taxes	$	22,420		$	21,197		$	19,217



	December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Income tax provision (benefit) at the statutory U.S. federal rate	$	14,551		$	14,803		$	(10,296	)
State income tax provision (benefit), net of federal tax benefit	3,509			3,242			(593		)
Nondeductible expenses, net	1,570			1,651			3,282
Foreign taxes (includes rate differential and changes in foreign valuation allowance)	698			(35		)	5,465
Release of valuation allowance	(117		)	(43		)	(3,200		)
Additional U.S. tax on foreign operations	2,550			1,628			—
Current/deferred true-up	(157		)	(1,199		)	567
Tax reform	—			—			23,732
Other, net	(184		)	1,150			260
Total provision for income taxes	$	22,420		$	21,197		$	19,217

The deferred tax assets and liabilities are attributable to the following components:



	December 31,
	2019			2018
Deferred tax assets attributable to:
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards	$	17,940		$	18,259
Accrued compensation and employee benefits	14,506			15,442
Deferred compensation	17,110			15,587
Foreign tax credit carryforwards	6,493			8,163
Accrued rent	2,655			3,096
Other accrued expenses	5,882			6,290
Deferred tax assets, before valuation allowance	64,586			66,837
Valuation allowance	(24,200		)	(26,460		)
Deferred tax assets, after valuation allowance	40,386			40,377
Deferred tax liabilities attributable to:
Goodwill	5,440			2,203
Taxes provided on unremitted earnings	—			765
Depreciation on property and equipment	1,652			2,040
Other	533			686
Deferred tax liabilities	7,625			5,694
Net deferred tax assets	$	32,761		$	34,683

The recognition of deferred tax assets is based on management’s belief that it is more likely than not that the tax benefits associated with temporary differences, net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits will be utilized. The Company assesses the recoverability of the deferred tax assets on an ongoing basis. In making this assessment, the Company considers all positive and negative evidence, and all potential sources of taxable income including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, tax-planning strategies, projected future taxable income and recent financial performance. Certain of the Company's deferred tax liabilities of $0.3 million and $0.2 million do not qualify for deferred tax netting and are included in Other non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The valuation allowance decreased from $26.5 million at December 31, 2018 to $24.2 million at December 31, 2019. The valuation allowance at December 31, 2019 was related to foreign net operating loss carryforwards, foreign tax credit carryforwards, and certain foreign deferred tax assets. The Company intends to maintain these valuation allowances until sufficient evidence exists to support their reversal.

At December 31, 2019, the Company had a net operating loss carryforward of $116.1 million related to its foreign tax filings. Of the $116.1 million net operating loss carryforward, $76.9 million is subject to a valuation allowance. Depending on the tax rules of the tax jurisdictions, the losses can be carried forward indefinitely or for periods ranging from five to twenty years. The Company also has a foreign tax credit carryforward of $6.5 million subject to a valuation allowance of $6.5 million.

At December 31, 2018, the Company had a net operating loss carryforward of $118.0 million related to its foreign tax filings. Of the $118.0 million net operating loss carryforward, $59.8 million is subject to a valuation allowance. Depending on the tax rules of the tax jurisdictions, the losses can be carried forward indefinitely or for periods ranging from five to twenty years. The Company also has a foreign tax credit carryforward of $8.2 million subject to a valuation allowance of $8.2 million.

As of December 31, 2018, the Company had $1.1 million of unrecognized tax benefits. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had $0.1 million of unrecognized tax benefits of which, if recognized, would be recorded as a component of income tax expense.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:



	December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at January 1,	$	1,128		$	740		$	1,038
Gross increases for tax positions of prior years	389			608			167
Gross decreases for tax positions of prior years	(377		)	—			—
Settlements	(1,010		)	(220		)	(465		)
Lapse of statute of limitations	—			—			—
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at December 31,	$	130		$	1,128		$	740

In many cases the Company’s uncertain tax positions are related to tax years that remain subject to examination by the relevant taxable authorities. Years 2016 through 2018 are subject to examination by the state taxing authorities. The years 2016 through 2018 are subject to examination by the federal taxing authority. There are certain foreign jurisdictions that are subject to examination for years prior to 2016.

The Company is currently under audit by some jurisdictions. It is likely that the examination phase of several of these audits will conclude in the next twelve months. No significant increases or decreases in unrecognized tax benefits are expected to occur by December 31, 2020.

Estimated interest and penalties related to the underpayment of income taxes are classified as a component of the provision for income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). Accrued interest and penalties are less than $0.1 million as of December 31, 2019.

The “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” was enacted in December 22, 2017. The Tax Act included a territorial tax system, beginning in 2018, and it included two new U.S. tax base erosion provisions, the global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) provisions and the base-erosion and anti-abuse tax (“BEAT”) provisions.

The Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income ("GILTI") provisions require the Company to include in its U.S. income tax return foreign subsidiary earnings in excess of an allowable return on the foreign subsidiary’s tangible assets. The Company became subject to incremental U.S. tax on GILTI income beginning in 2018 due to expense allocations required by the U.S. foreign tax credit rules. The Company has elected to account for GILTI tax in the period in which it is incurred, and therefore has not provided any deferred tax impacts of GILTI in its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.

The Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse Tax ("BEAT") provisions in the Tax Reform Act eliminates the deduction of certain base-erosion payments made to related foreign corporations and impose a minimum tax if greater than regular tax. The Company does not expect it will be subject to this tax and therefore has not included any tax impacts of BEAT in its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)	$ 706,924	$ 716,023	$ 621,400
Revenue:
Reimbursements	18,690	19,632	18,656
Total revenue	725,614	735,655	640,056
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	501,791	506,349	434,219
General and administrative expenses	137,492	140,817	147,316
Impairment charges	0	0	50,722
Restructuring charges	4,130	0	15,666
Reimbursed expenses	18,690	19,632	18,656
Total operating expenses	662,103	666,798	666,579
Operating income (loss)	63,511	68,857	(26,523)
Non-operating income (expense):
Interest, net	2,880	1,141	385
Other, net	2,898	494	(3,280)
Net non-operating income (expense)	5,778	1,635	(2,895)
Income (loss) before income taxes	69,289	70,492	(29,418)
Provision for income taxes	22,420	21,197	19,217
Net income (loss)	46,869	49,295	(48,635)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	844	(3,885)	6,853
Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments	13	0	2,660
Pension gain (loss) adjustment	(1,095)	721	480
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(238)	(3,164)	9,993
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 46,631	$ 46,131	$ (38,642)
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	19,103	18,917	18,735
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	19,551	19,532	18,735
Basic net income (loss) per common share	$ 2.45	$ 2.61	$ (2.60)
Diluted net income (loss) per common share	2.40	2.52	(2.60)
Cash dividends paid per share	$ 0.60	$ 0.52	$ 0.52

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Concentration of Risk (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Concentration of Risk [Abstract]
Concentration Risk, Customer	0

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Carrying Amount of Amortizable Intangible Assets and Related Accumulated Amortization (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 900,000	$ 1,500,000	$ 4,400,000
Weighted Average Life (in years)	6 years 4 months
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 16,664,000	15,910,000
Accumulated Amortization	14,729,000	13,694,000
Net Carrying Amount	$ 1,935,000	2,216,000
Client relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Life (in years)	6 years 7 months
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 16,302,000	15,910,000
Accumulated Amortization	14,683,000	13,694,000
Net Carrying Amount	$ 1,619,000	2,216,000
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Life (in years)	5 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 362,000	0
Accumulated Amortization	46,000	0
Net Carrying Amount	$ 316,000	$ 0

Investments Cash and Available-for-sale Securities by Significant Investment Category (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash and Available-for-sale Securities by Significant Investment Category [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	$ 271,719	$ 279,906	$ 207,534
Marketable Securities	61,153	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	155,366	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	13
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	155,379	77
Cash [Member]
Cash and Available-for-sale Securities by Significant Investment Category [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	177,493	279,829
Marketable Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Cash and Available-for-sale Securities by Significant Investment Category [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	94,226
Marketable Securities	61,153
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	155,366
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	13
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	155,379
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Money Market Funds [Member]
Cash and Available-for-sale Securities by Significant Investment Category [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	15,661	77
Marketable Securities	0	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	15,661	$ 77
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| US Treasury Securities [Member]
Cash and Available-for-sale Securities by Significant Investment Category [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	78,565
Marketable Securities	61,153
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	139,705
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	13
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	$ 139,718

Pension Plan and Life Insurance Contract Pension Plan and Life Insurance Contract

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]

The Company maintains a pension plan for certain current and former employees in Germany. The pensions are individually fixed Euro amounts that vary depending on the function and the eligible years of service of the employee.



	2019			2018
Benefit obligation at January 1,	$	20,908		$	23,886
Interest cost	338			373
Actuarial (gain) loss	1,506			(886		)
Benefits paid	(1,375		)	(1,450		)
Cumulative translation adjustment	(459		)	(1,015		)
Benefit obligation at December 31,	$	20,918		$	20,908

The benefit obligation amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:



	December 31,
	2019		2018
Current liabilities	$	1,318	$	1,349
Noncurrent liabilities	19,600		19,559
Total	$	20,918	$	20,908

The components of and assumptions used to determine the net periodic benefit cost are as follows:



	December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Net period benefit cost:
Interest cost	$	338		$	373		$	362
Amortization of net loss	35			92			111
Net periodic benefit cost	$	373		$	465		$	473
Weighted average assumptions
Discount rate (1)	1.71		%	1.64		%	1.49		%
Rate of compensation increase	—		%	—		%	—		%

Assumptions to determine the Company’s benefit obligation are as follows:



	December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Discount rate (1)	1.03	%	1.71	%	1.64	%
Rate of compensation increase	—	%	—	%	—	%
Measurement Date	12/31/2019		12/31/2018		12/31/2017


(1)	The discount rates are based on long-term bond indices adjusted to reflect the longer duration of the benefit obligation.

The amounts in Accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, that had not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost were $4.0 million and $2.6 million, respectively.

The Company’s investment strategy is to support its pension obligations through reinsurance contracts. The BaFin—German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority—supervises the insurance companies and the reinsurance contracts. The BaFin requires each reinsurance contract to guarantee a fixed minimum return. The Company’s pension benefits are fully reinsured by group insurance contracts with ERGO Lebensversicherung AG, and the group insurance contracts are measured in accordance with BaFin guidelines (including mortality tables and discount rates) which are considered Level 2 inputs (See Note 7, Financial Instruments and Fair Value). The fair value at December 31, 2019 and 2018, was $15.3 million and $16.4 million, respectively.

Since the pension assets are not segregated in trust from the Company’s other assets, the pension assets are not shown as an offset against the pension liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These assets are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2019 and 2018, as a component of Other current assets and Assets designated for retirement and pension plans.

The benefits expected to be paid in each of the next five years, and in the aggregate for the five years thereafter are as follows:



2020	$	1,318
2021	1,305
2022	1,288
2023	1,269
2024	1,245
2025 through 2029	5,713

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Summary of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 3,502	$ 2,534	$ 2,575
Provision charged to income	5,900	3,790	963
Write-offs	(4,270)	(2,708)	(1,134)
Foreign currency translation	(8)	114	(130)
Ending balance	$ 5,140	$ 3,502	$ 2,534

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]

Summary of Estimated Useful Life of Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment



Office furniture, fixtures and equipment		5–10 years
Computer equipment and software		3–7 years

Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lesser of the lease term or life of the asset improvement, which typically range from three to ten years.

Depreciation is calculated for tax purposes using accelerated methods, where applicable.

Property and Equipment



Office furniture, fixtures and equipment		5–10 years
Computer equipment and software		3–7 years

Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lesser of the lease term or life of the asset improvement, which typically range from three to ten years.

Depreciation is calculated for tax purposes using accelerated methods, where applicable.

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:



	December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Net income (loss)	$	46,869	$	49,295	$	(48,635	)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	19,103		18,917		18,735
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock units	285		406		—
Performance stock units	163		209		—
Diluted	19,551		19,532		18,735
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	2.45	$	2.61	$	(2.60	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	2.40	$	2.52	$	(2.60	)

Revenue (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Revenue [Abstract]

Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Text Block]

Executive Search

Revenue is recognized as we satisfy our performance obligations by transferring a good or service to a client. Generally, each of our executive search contracts contain one performance obligation which is the process of identifying potentially qualified candidates for a specific client position. In most contracts, the transaction price includes both fixed and variable consideration. Fixed compensation is comprised of a retainer, equal to approximately one-third of the estimated first year compensation for the position to be filled, and indirect expenses, equal to a specified percentage of the retainer, as defined in the contract. The Company generally bills its clients for its retainer and indirect expenses in one-third increments over a three-month period commencing in the month of a client’s acceptance of the contract. If actual compensation of a placed candidate exceeds the original compensation estimate, the Company is often authorized to bill the client for one-third of the excess compensation. The Company refers to this additional billing as uptick revenue. In most contracts, variable consideration is comprised of uptick revenue and direct expenses. The Company bills its clients for uptick revenue upon completion of the executive search, and direct expenses are billed as incurred.

As required under ASU No. 2014-09, the Company now estimates uptick revenue at contract inception, based on a portfolio approach, utilizing the expected value method based on a historical analysis of uptick revenue realized in the Company’s geographic regions and industry practices, and initially records a contract’s uptick revenue in an amount that is probable not to result in a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized when the actual amount of uptick revenue for that contract is known. Differences between the estimated and actual amounts of variable consideration are recorded when known. The Company does not estimate revenue for direct expenses as it is not materially different than recognizing revenue as direct expenses are incurred.

Revenue from our executive search engagement performance obligation is recognized over time as our clients simultaneously receive and consume the benefits provided by the Company's performance. Revenue from executive search engagements is recognized over the expected average period of performance, in proportion to the estimated personnel time incurred to fulfill our obligations under the executive search contract. Revenue is generally recognized over a period of approximately six months.

Our executive search contracts contain a replacement guarantee which provides for an additional search to be completed, free of charge except for expense reimbursements, should the candidate presented by the Company be hired by the client and subsequently terminated by the client for performance reasons within a specified period of time. The replacement guarantee is an assurance warranty, which is not a performance obligation under the terms of the executive search contract, as the Company does not provide any services under the terms of the guarantee that transfer benefits to the client in excess of assuring that the identified candidate complies with the agreed-upon specifications. The Company accounts for the replacement guarantee under the relevant warranty guidance in ASC 460 - Guarantees.

Heidrick Consulting

Revenue is recognized as we satisfy our performance obligations by transferring a good or service to a client. Heidrick Consulting enters into contracts with clients that outline the general terms and conditions of the assignment to provide succession planning, executive assessment, top team and board effectiveness and culture shaping programs. The consideration the Company expects to receive under each contract is generally fixed. Most of our consulting contracts contain one performance obligation, which is the overall process of providing the consulting service requested by the client. The majority of our consulting revenue is recognized over time utilizing both input and output methods. Contracts that contain coaching sessions, training sessions or the completion of assessments are recognized using the output method as each session or assessment is delivered to the client. Contracts that contain general consulting work are recognized using the input method utilizing a measure of progress that is based on time incurred on the project.

The Company enters into enterprise agreements with clients to provide a license for online access, via the Company's Culture Connect platform, to training and other proprietary material related to the Company's culture shaping programs. The consideration the Company expects to receive under the terms of an enterprise agreement is comprised of a single fixed fee. Our enterprise agreements contain multiple performance obligations, the delivery of materials via Culture Connect and material rights related to options to renew enterprise agreements at a significant discount. The Company allocates the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract on a stand-alone selling price basis. The stand-alone selling price for the initial term of the enterprise agreement is outlined in the contract and is equal to the price paid by the client for the agreement over the initial term of the contract. The stand-alone selling price for the options to renew, or material right, are not directly observable and must be estimated. This estimate is required to reflect the discount the client would obtain when exercising the option to renew, adjusted for the likelihood that the option will be exercised. The Company estimates the likelihood of renewal using a historical analysis of client renewals. Access to Culture Connect represents a right to access the Company’s intellectual property that the client simultaneously receives and consumes as the Company performs under the agreement, and therefore the Company recognizes revenue over time. Given the continuous nature of this commitment, the Company utilizes straight-line ratable revenue recognition over the estimated subscription period as the Company's clients will receive and consume the benefits from Culture Connect equally throughout the contract period. Revenue related to client renewals of enterprise agreements is recognized over the term of the renewal, which is generally twelve months. Enterprise agreements do not comprise a significant portion of the Company's revenue.

Contract Balances

Contract assets and liabilities are reported in a net position on a contract-by-contract basis at the end of each reporting period. Contract assets and liabilities are classified as current due to the nature of the Company's contracts, which are completed within one year. Contract assets are included within Other Current Assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Unbilled receivables: Unbilled revenue represents contract assets from revenue recognized over time in excess of the amount billed to the client and the amount billed to the client is solely dependent upon the passage of time. This amount includes revenue recognized in excess of billed executive search retainers and Heidrick Consulting fees.

Contract assets: Contract assets represent revenue recognized over time in excess of the amount billed to the client and the amount billed to the client is not solely subject to the passage of time. This amount primarily includes revenue recognized for upticks and contingent placement fees in executive search contracts.

Deferred revenue: Contract liabilities consist of deferred revenue, which is equal to billings in excess of revenue recognized.

The following table outlines the changes in our contract asset and liability balances at the end of and during the period:



	December 31, 2019		December 31, 2018		Variance
Contract assets
Unbilled receivables	$	7,585	$	8,684	$	(1,099	)
Contract assets	14,672		15,291		(619		)
Total contract assets	22,257		23,975		(1,718		)

Contract liabilities
Deferred revenue	$	41,267	$	40,673	$	594

During the year ended December 31, 2019, we recognized revenue of $26.6 million that was included in the contract liabilities balance at the beginning of the period. The amount of revenue recognized during the year ended December 31, 2019 from performance obligations partially satisfied in previous periods as a result of changes in the estimates of variable consideration was $19.4 million. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we recognized revenue of $28.0 million that was included in the contract liabilities balance at the beginning of the period. The amount of revenue recognized during the year ended December 31, 2018, from performance obligations partially satisfied in previous periods as a result of changes in the estimates of variable consideration was $21.8 million.

Each of the Company's contracts has an expected duration of one year or less. Accordingly, the Company has elected to utilize the available practical expedient related to the disclosure of the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations under its contracts. The Company has also elected the available practical expedients related to adjusting for the effects of a significant financing component and the capitalization of contract acquisition costs. The Company charges and collects from its clients, sales tax and value added taxes as required by certain jurisdictions. The Company has made an accounting policy election to exclude these items from the transaction price in its contracts.

Property and Equipment, net

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment, net

The components of the Company’s property and equipment are as follows:



	December 31,
	2019			2018
Leasehold improvements	$	47,269		$	48,455
Office furniture, fixtures and equipment	17,740			17,919
Computer equipment and software	27,531			27,063
Property and equipment, gross	92,540			93,437
Accumulated depreciation	(63,890		)	(59,566		)
Property and equipment, net	$	28,650		$	33,871

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, was $9.5 million, $11.0 million and $10.4 million, respectively.

Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Unbilled Receivables, Contract Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Percentage Of Estimated First Year Compensation Received For Executive Search Services	33.33%
Percentage Of Excess Of Actual Over Estimated Compensation Of Placed Candidate Billed To Client	33.33%
Percentage Increments Billed To Clients For Retainer And Indirect Expenses	33.33%
Unbilled Contracts Receivable	$ 7,585	$ 8,684
Increase (Decrease) in Unbilled Contracts Receivable	(1,099)
Contract with Customer, Asset, Net	14,672	15,291
Increase (Decrease) in Contract Assets	(619)
Contract Assets	22,257	23,975
Total Contract Asset Increase Decrease	(1,718)
Deferred Revenue, Current	41,267	40,673
Increase (Decrease) in Contract Liabilities	594
Deferred Revenue, Revenue Recognized	26,600	28,000
Contract with Customer, Performance Obligation Satisfied in Previous Period	$ 19,400	$ 21,800

Restructuring Restructuring Charges Additional Details (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	$ 4,130	$ 0	$ 15,666
Restructuring and Related Cost, Number of Positions Eliminated			251
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	4,130		$ 13,065
Other Professional and Consulting Fees [Domain]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	0		2,293
Real Estate Related Expenses [Domain]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	0		308
Operating Segments [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	28	0	5,450
Operating Segments [Member] \| Executive Search [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	4,102	0	6,823
Operating Segments [Member] \| Heidrick Consulting [Domain]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	0	0	3,393
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	100
Americas [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member] \| Executive Search [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	4,102	0	784
Europe Segment [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member] \| Executive Search [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	0	0	3,993
Asia Pacific Segment [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member] \| Executive Search [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	$ 0	$ 0	$ 2,046

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Summary of Information with Respect to Stock-based Compensation

A summary of information with respect to stock-based compensation is as follows:



	December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Salaries and employee benefits (1)	$	12,857	$	9,548	$	4,597
General and administrative expenses	460		562		338
Income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation included in net income	3,529		2,674		1,948

Restricted Stock Unit Activity

Restricted stock unit activity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:



	Number of Restricted Stock Units		Weighted- Average Grant-date Fair Value
Outstanding on December 31, 2017	491,154		$	21.92
Granted	297,664		34.64
Vested and converted to common stock	(199,550	)	21.66
Forfeited	(76,822	)	25.76
Outstanding on December 31, 2018	512,446		28.83
Granted	270,488		33.55
Vested and converted to common stock	(175,792	)	24.19
Forfeited	(8,154	)	34.29
Outstanding on December 31, 2019	598,988		$	32.25

Performance Stock Unit Activity

Performance share unit activity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was as follows:



	Number of Performance Stock Units		Weighted- Average Grant-date Fair Value
Outstanding on December 31, 2017	185,891		$	23.82
Granted	102,138		25.81
Vested and converted to common stock	(43,361	)	23.64
Forfeited	(47,551	)	23.87
Outstanding on December 31, 2018	197,117		24.88
Granted	81,661		35.58
Vested and converted to common stock	(99,219	)	25.04
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding on December 31, 2019	179,559		$	32.63

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Restricted Cash



	December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Cash and cash equivalents	$	271,719	$	279,906	$	207,534
Restricted cash included within other current assets	—		108		526
Restricted cash included within other non-current assets	—		248		102
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	271,719	$	280,262	$	208,162

Cash And Cash Equivalents Maximum Maturity Period

3 months

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Salaries and Employee Benefits (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
Vesting Period Of Deferred Cash Bonuses	3 years
Additional Vesting Period After Deferral Date For Bonus Payment	3 years
Maximum [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
Variation Percentage Of Deferred Cash Bonuses	15.00%

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Reclassifications [Line Items]

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Heidrick Consulting

Contract Balances

Deferred revenue: Contract liabilities consist of deferred revenue, which is equal to billings in excess of revenue recognized.

Marketable Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Marketable Securities

The Company’s marketable securities consist of available-for-sale debt securities with original maturities exceeding three months.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Concentration of Risk

Accounts Receivable

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Property and Equipment



Office furniture, fixtures and equipment		5–10 years
Computer equipment and software		3–7 years

Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lesser of the lease term or life of the asset improvement, which typically range from three to ten years.

Depreciation is calculated for tax purposes using accelerated methods, where applicable.

Property and Equipment



Office furniture, fixtures and equipment		5–10 years
Computer equipment and software		3–7 years

Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lesser of the lease term or life of the asset improvement, which typically range from three to ten years.

Depreciation is calculated for tax purposes using accelerated methods, where applicable.

Long-lived Assets

Investments

The Company’s investments consist primarily of available-for-sale investments within the U.S. non-qualified deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”).

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Restructuring Charges

The Company accounts for restructuring charges by recognizing a liability at fair value when the costs are incurred.

Reimbursements

The Company incurs certain out-of-pocket expenses that are reimbursed by its clients, which are accounted for as revenue and expense in its Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Salaries and Employee Benefits

Salaries and Benefits

Income Taxes

Earnings per Common Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:



	December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Net income (loss)	$	46,869	$	49,295	$	(48,635	)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	19,103		18,917		18,735
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock units	285		406		—
Performance stock units	163		209		—
Diluted	19,551		19,532		18,735
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	2.45	$	2.61	$	(2.60	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	2.40	$	2.52	$	(2.60	)

Translation of Foreign Currencies

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Restricted Cash



	December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Cash and cash equivalents	$	271,719	$	279,906	$	207,534
Restricted cash included within other current assets	—		108		526
Restricted cash included within other non-current assets	—		248		102
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	271,719	$	280,262	$	208,162

Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted Financial Accounting Standards

Additional information and disclosures required by the new standard are contained in Note 6, Leases.

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2016
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Liability, Not Eligible for Netting	$ 300	$ 200
Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate	21.00%		35.00%
Valuation allowance	$ 24,200	26,460
Foreign tax credit carryforwards	$ 6,493	8,163
Losses carried forward	Indefinitely or for periods ranging from five to twenty years
Unrecognized tax benefits	$ 130	$ 1,128	$ 740	$ 1,100	$ 1,038
Several statutes of limitation expected to close	12 months
Accrued interest and penalties	$ 100
Minimum [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Foreign tax credit carryforward expiring	5 years	5 years
Operating loss carryforwards ranging period	5 years
Maximum [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Foreign tax credit carryforward expiring	20 years	20 years
Operating loss carryforwards ranging period	20 years
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforward	$ 116,100	$ 118,000
Net operating loss carryforward subject to valuation allowance	$ 76,900	59,800
Income tax examination years subject to examination	Years prior to 2014
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards	$ 6,500	8,200
Tax Credit Carryforward, Valuation Allowance	$ 6,500	$ 8,200
Federal Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax examination years subject to examination	2015 through 2017
State Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax examination years subject to examination	2015 through 2017

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash flows - operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 46,869	$ 49,295	$ (48,635)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	10,371	12,522	14,774
Deferred income taxes	1,644	(3,496)	(1,690)
Stock-based compensation expense	10,298	8,947	4,935
Accretion expense related to earnout payments	668	1,285	1,038
Impairment charges	0	0	50,722
Marketable Securities, Gain (Loss)	(595)	0	0
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	6,899	(16,759)	(1,882)
Accounts payable	(994)	(526)	1,474
Accrued expenses	2,441	71,526	18,330
Restructuring accrual	1,959	(11,617)	13,025
Deferred revenue	175	(1,899)	2,010
Income taxes (payable) recoverable, net	(5,450)	757	3,381
Retirement and pension plan assets and liabilities	3,258	(1,492)	3,065
Prepaid expenses	(455)	(893)	797
Other assets and liabilities, net	1,557	(4,748)	5,626
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	78,645	102,902	66,970
Cash flows - investing activities:
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired	(3,520)	(3,083)	(364)
Capital expenditures	(3,352)	(5,960)	(14,022)
Purchases of available for sale investments	(130,411)	(2,201)	(2,269)
Proceeds from sale of available for sale investments	67,968	2,995	1,404
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	(69,315)	(8,249)	(15,251)
Cash flows - financing activities:
Proceeds from Lines of Credit	0	20,000	40,000
Repayments of Lines of Credit	0	20,000	40,000
Debt issuance costs	0	981	0
Cash dividends paid	(11,835)	(10,181)	(10,111)
Payment of employee tax withholdings on equity transactions	(4,552)	(2,234)	(2,392)
Acquisition earnout payments	(1,853)	(3,592)	(4,557)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	(18,240)	(16,988)	(17,060)
Effect of exchange rates fluctuations on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	367	(5,565)	7,933
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(8,543)	72,100	42,592
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	271,719	280,262	208,162
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	271,719	279,906	207,534
Cash paid for
Income taxes	27,338	22,616	14,814
Interest	$ 0	$ 67	$ 193

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Goodwill by Segment [Line Items]

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]

The Company's estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets as of December 31, 2019 for the years ended December 31st is as follows:



2020	$	798
2021	507
2022	319
2023	188
2024	76
Thereafter	47
Total	$	1,935

Goodwill by Segment [Table Text Block]

The Company's goodwill by segment is as follows:



	December 31, 2019			December 31, 2018
Executive Search
Americas	$	92,497		$	88,410
Europe	25,579			24,924
Asia Pacific	8,755			8,758
Total Executive Search	126,831			122,092
Heidrick Consulting	36,257			36,257
Goodwill, gross	163,088			158,349
Accumulated impairment	(36,257		)	(36,257		)
Goodwill, net	$	126,831		$	122,092

Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 were as follows:



	Executive Search
	Americas			Europe			Asia Pacific			Heidrick Consulting			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2016
Goodwill	$	88,101		$	19,092		$	8,893		$	35,758		$	151,844
Accumulated impairment	—			—			—			—			—
Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2016	88,101			19,092			8,893			35,758			151,844
Philosophy IB acquisition	357			—			—			7			364
Foreign currency translation	232			1,808			409			492			2,941
Impairment	—			—			—			(36,257		)	(36,257		)
Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2017	88,690			20,900			9,302			—			118,892
Amrop acquisition	—			5,478			—			—			5,478
Foreign currency translation	(280		)	(1,454		)	(544		)	—			(2,278		)
Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2018	88,410			24,924			8,758			—			122,092
2GET acquisition	3,793			—			—			—			3,793
Foreign currency translation	294			655			(3		)	—			946
Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2019	$	92,497		$	25,579		$	8,755		$	—		$	126,831

Carrying Amount of Amortizable Intangible Assets and Related Accumulated Amortization

In September 2019, the Company acquired 2GET and recorded customer relationships and trade name intangible assets in the Americas segment of $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

The carrying amount of amortizable intangible assets and the related accumulated amortization were as follows:



		December 31, 2019							December 31, 2018
	Weighted Average Life (in years)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Client relationships	6.6	$	16,302	$	(14,683	)	$	1,619	$	15,910	$	(13,694	)	$	2,216
Trade name	5.0	362		(46		)	316		—		—			—
Total intangible assets	6.3	$	16,664	$	(14,729	)	$	1,935	$	15,910	$	(13,694	)	$	2,216

Property and Equipment, net (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Components of Company's Property and Equipment

The components of the Company’s property and equipment are as follows:



	December 31,
	2019			2018
Leasehold improvements	$	47,269		$	48,455
Office furniture, fixtures and equipment	17,740			17,919
Computer equipment and software	27,531			27,063
Property and equipment, gross	92,540			93,437
Accumulated depreciation	(63,890		)	(59,566		)
Property and equipment, net	$	28,650		$	33,871

Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies, Lease Expiration Period (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies, Lease Expiration Period [Abstract]
Lease Expiration Period Description	Through 2026
Sublease Expiration Period	Through 2019

Pension Plan and Life Insurance Contract - Summary of Benefits Expected to Be Paid in Each of Next Five Years (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Next Fiscal Year	$ 1,318
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment, Year Two	1,305
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment, Year Three	1,288
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment, Year Four	1,269
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment, Year Five	1,245
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter	$ 5,713

Other Non-Current Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of Other Non-Current Liabilities

The components of other non-current liabilities are as follows:



	December 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Premise related costs	$	2,392	$	15,473
Other	2,242		1,950
Total other non-current liabilities	$	4,634	$	17,423

Line of Credit - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2015
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs					$ 0	$ 981	$ 0
Long-term Line of Credit, Noncurrent					0	0
Proceeds from Lines of Credit					$ 0	20,000	$ 40,000
Senior Unsecured Revolving Line Of Credit Member [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Borrowing amount under term loan facility								$ 100,000
Sublimit for letters of credit								25,000
Line of credit facility expansion feature								$ 50,000
Proceeds from Lines of Credit		$ 20,000		$ 40,000
Repayments of Long-term Debt	$ 12,000	$ 8,000	$ 25,000	$ 15,000
2018 Credit Agreement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Borrowing amount under term loan facility						175,000
Sublimit for letters of credit						25,000
Bridge Loan						10,000
Line of credit facility expansion feature						75,000
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs						$ 1,000

Income Taxes - Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current
Federal	$ 11,311	$ 12,311	$ 10,107
State and local	4,422	4,843	2,372
Foreign	4,423	6,907	8,257
Current provision for income taxes	20,156	24,061	20,736
Deferred
Federal	2,031	6,403	5,642
State and local	698	(354)	(2,951)
Foreign	(465)	(8,913)	(4,210)
Deferred provision (benefit) for income taxes	2,264	(2,864)	(1,519)
Total provision for income taxes	$ 22,420	$ 21,197	$ 19,217

Leases Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Abstract]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	$ 30,246,000	$ 34,456,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	27,229,000	31,808,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	23,577,000	27,381,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	20,555,000	23,445,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	9,981,000	20,087,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	8,983,000	14,448,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	120,571,000	$ 151,625,000
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount	10,228,000
Operating Lease, Liability	$ 110,343,000

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	21.00%		35.00%
Income tax provision (benefit) at the statutory U.S. federal rate	$ 14,551	$ 14,803	$ (10,296)
State income tax provision (benefit), net of federal tax benefit	3,509	3,242	(593)
Nondeductible expenses, net	1,570	1,651	3,282
Foreign taxes (includes rate differential and changes in foreign valuation allowance)	698	(35)	5,465
Release of valuation allowance	(117)	(43)	(3,200)
U.S. tax on foreign operations	(2,550)	(1,628)	0
Current/deferred true-up	(157)	(1,199)	567
Effective Income Tax Reconciliation, Tax Reform	0	0	23,732
Other, net	(184)	1,150	260
Total provision for income taxes	$ 22,420	$ 21,197	$ 19,217

Leases Summary of Minimum Future Office Space and Equipment Lease Payments Due (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Summary of Minimum Future Office Space and Equipment Lease Payments Due [Abstract]

Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]

The minimum future operating lease payments due in each of the next five years as recorded under ASC 840 at December 2018, were as follows:



2019	$	34,456
2020	31,808
2021	27,381
2022	23,445
2023	20,087
Thereafter	14,448
Total	$	151,625

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Equity [Abstract]

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") by Component

The changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component for the year ended December 31, 2019, are summarized below:



	Available- for- Sale Securities		Foreign Currency Translation		Pension			AOCI
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	—	$	5,258	$	(1,196	)	$	4,062
Other comprehensive income before classification, net of tax	13		844		(1,095		)	(238		)
Balance at December 31, 2019	$	13	$	6,102	$	(2,291	)	$	3,824

Property and Equipment, Net - Components of Company's Property and Equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 92,540	$ 93,437
Accumulated depreciation	(63,890)	(59,566)
Property and equipment, net	28,650	33,871
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	47,269	48,455
Office Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	17,740	17,919
Computer Equipment and Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 27,531	$ 27,063

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Receivables [Abstract]

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The activity of the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended:



	December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Balance at January 1,	$	3,502		$	2,534		$	2,575
Provision charged to income	5,900			3,790			963
Write-offs	(4,270		)	(2,708		)	(1,134		)
Foreign currency translation	8			(114		)	130
Balance at December 31,	$	5,140		$	3,502		$	2,534

- Definition

The entire disclosure for claims held for amounts due a entity, excluding financing receivables. Examples include, but are not limited to, trade accounts receivables, notes receivables, loans receivables. Includes disclosure for allowance for credit losses.

+ References + Details

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Table Text Block]



				Balance Sheet Classification
	Fair Value			Other Current Assets		Assets Designated for Retirement and Pension Plans		Investments		Other Current Liabilities			Retirement and Pension Plans
Balance at December 31, 2019

Level 1:
U.S. non-qualified deferred compensation plan	$	25,409		$	—	$	—	$	25,409	$	—		$	—

Level 2:
Retirement and pension plan assets	15,296			1,318		13,978		—		—			—
Pension benefit obligation	(20,918		)	—		—		—		(1,318		)	(19,600		)
Total Level 2	(5,622		)	1,318		13,978		—		(1,318		)	(19,600		)

Total	$	19,787		$	1,318	$	13,978	$	25,409	$	(1,318	)	$	(19,600	)



				Balance Sheet Classification
	Fair Value			Other Current Assets		Assets Designated for Retirement and Pension Plans		Investments		Other Current Liabilities			Retirement and Pension Plans
Balance at December 31, 2018

Level 1:
U.S. non-qualified deferred compensation plan	$	19,442		$	—	$	—	$	19,442	$	—		$	—

Level 2:
Retirement and pension plan assets	16,384			1,349		15,035		—		—			—
Pension benefit obligation	(20,908		)	—		—		—		(1,349		)	(19,559		)
Total Level 2	(4,524		)	1,349		15,035		—		(1,349		)	(19,559		)

Total	$	14,918		$	1,349	$	15,035	$	19,442	$	(1,349	)	$	(19,559	)

Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Balance of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of Level 3 liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2019:



	Acquisition Earnout Accruals
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	(6,627	)
Earnout accretion	(668		)
Earnout payments	3,009
Earnout adjustment	(1,062		)
Foreign currency translation	70
Balance at December 31, 2019	$	(5,278	)

Fair Value Measurements - Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Balance of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities (Details) - Acquisition Earnout Accruals [Member] - Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Acquisition earnout accruals, beginning balance	$ (6,627)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Business Combination, Acquisition Earnout Adjustment, Fair Value	(1,062)
Earnout accretion	(668)
Earnout payments	3,009
Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Liability Foreign Currency Translation	70
Acquisition earnout accruals, ending balance	$ (5,278)

Leases (Details)	Dec. 31, 2019
Minimum [Member] \| Office Leases [Member]
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract	1 year
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract	1 year
Minimum [Member] \| Equipment Leases [Member]
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract	1 year
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract	1 year
Maximum [Member] \| Office Leases [Member]
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract	10 years 5 months
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract	10 years 5 months
Maximum [Member] \| Equipment Leases [Member]
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract	4 years 9 months
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract	4 years 9 months

Revenue (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Unbilled Receivables, Contract Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]

Unbilled Receivables, Contract Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]

he following table outlines the changes in our contract asset and liability balances at the end of and during the period:



	December 31, 2019		December 31, 2018		Variance
Contract assets
Unbilled receivables	$	7,585	$	8,684	$	(1,099	)
Contract assets	14,672		15,291		(619		)
Total contract assets	22,257		23,975		(1,718		)

Contract liabilities
Deferred revenue	$	41,267	$	40,673	$	594

Leases (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Leases [Abstract]

Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block]


6.	Leases

The Company's lease portfolio is comprised of operating leases for office space and equipment. The majority of the Company's leases include both lease and non-lease components, which the Company accounts for differently depending on the underlying class of asset. Certain of the Company's leases include one or more options to renew or terminate the lease at the Company's discretion. Generally, the renewal and termination options are not included in the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities as they are not reasonably certain of exercise. The Company regularly evaluates the renewal and termination options and when they are reasonably certain of exercise, includes the renewal or termination option in the Company's lease term.

As most of the Company's leases do not provide an implicit interest rate, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company has a centrally managed treasury function; therefore, a portfolio approach is applied in determining the incremental borrowing rate. The incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow on a fully collateralized basis over a similar term in an amount equal to the total lease payments in a similar economic environment.

As of December 31, 2019, office leases have remaining lease terms that range from less than one year to 10.4 years, some of which also include options to extend or terminate the lease. Most office leases contain both fixed and variable lease payments. Variable lease costs consist primarily of rent escalations based on an established index or rate and taxes, insurance, and common area or other maintenance costs, which are paid based on actual costs incurred by the lessor. The Company has elected to utilize the available practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for office leases.

As of December 31, 2019, equipment leases, which are comprised of vehicle and office equipment leases, have remaining terms that range from less than one year to 4.8 years, some of which also include options to extend or terminate the lease. The Company's equipment leases do not contain variable lease payments. The Company separates the lease and non-lease components for its equipment leases. Equipment leases do not comprise a significant portion of the Company's lease portfolio.



Operating lease cost	$	24,928
Variable lease cost	7,932
Total lease cost	$	32,860

Rent expense, as previously defined under ASC 840, which includes the base rent, maintenance costs, operating expenses and real estate taxes, and the costs of equipment leases for the years ended December 31, 2018, and 2017, was $33.2 million and $32.2 million, respectively.

Supplemental cash flow information related to the Company's operating leases for the year ended December 31, 2019, was as follows:



Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	33,797
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	$	19,640

The weighted average remaining lease term and weighted average discount rate for our operating leases as of December 31, 2019 was as follows:



Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term
Operating leases	4.7 years
Weighted Average Discount Rate
Operating leases	3.9	%

The future maturities of the Company's operating lease liabilities for the years ended December 31, were as follows:



	Operating Lease Maturity
2020	$	30,246
2021	27,229
2022	23,577
2023	20,555
2024	9,981
Thereafter	8,983
Total lease payments	120,571
Less: Interest	(10,228		)
Present value of lease liabilities	$	110,343

The minimum future operating lease payments due in each of the next five years as recorded under ASC 840 at December 2018, were as follows:



2019	$	34,456
2020	31,808
2021	27,381
2022	23,445
2023	20,087
Thereafter	14,448
Total	$	151,625

The Company has an obligation at the end of the lease term to return certain offices to the landlord in their original condition, which is recorded at fair value at the time the liability is incurred. The Company had $3.0 million and $2.7 million of asset retirement obligations as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which are recorded within Other current liabilities and Other non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Other Current Assets and Non-current Liabilities Other Current Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Other Current Assets - Components of Other Current Assets [Line Items]

Other Current Assets [Text Block]

The components of other current assets are as follows:



	December 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Contract assets	$	22,257	$	23,975
Other	5,591		5,623
Total other current assets	$	27,848	$	29,598

Restructuring (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Restructuring (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	$ 4,130	$ 0	$ 15,666
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	$ 100

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Other Intangible Assets Net by Segment (Detail) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Net Carrying Amount	$ 1,935,000	$ 2,216,000
Executive Search [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Net Carrying Amount	1,935,000	2,216,000
Executive Search [Member] \| Americas [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Net Carrying Amount	557,000	52,000
Executive Search [Member] \| Europe [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Net Carrying Amount	1,314,000	2,086,000
Executive Search [Member] \| Asia Pacific [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Net Carrying Amount	64,000	78,000
Heidrick Consulting [Domain]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Net Carrying Amount	$ 0	$ 0

Stock-based Compensation - Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	3 years
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 11.4
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Number of Stock Units, Beginning balance (in shares)	512,446	491,154
Number of Stock Units, Granted (in shares)	270,488	297,664
Number of Stock Units, Vested and converted to common stock (in shares)	(175,792)	(199,550)
Number of Stock Units, Forfeited (in shares)	(8,154)	(76,822)
Number of Stock Units, Ending balance (in shares)	598,988	512,446
Weighted- Average Grant-date Fair Value
Weighted-Average Grant-date Fair Value, Beginning balance (in dollars per share)	$ 28.83	$ 21.92
Weighted-Average Grant-date Fair Value, Granted (in dollars per share)	33.55	34.64
Weighted-Average Grant-date Fair Value, Vested and converted to common stock (in dollars per share)	24.19	21.66
Weighted-Average Grant-date Fair Value, Forfeited (in dollars per share)	34.29	25.76
Weighted-Average Grant-date Fair Value, Ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 32.25	$ 28.83
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	2 years 6 months
Special Restricted Stock Unit [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	4 years

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) kr in Thousands, $ in Thousands				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2019 USD ($)	Jan. 04, 2018 USD ($)	Jan. 04, 2018 DKK (kr)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	$ 5,200	$ 3,900	kr 24,300
Accrued additional cash consideration				$ 5,300
Accretion expense				668	$ 1,285	$ 1,038
Goodwill				126,831	$ 122,092	$ 118,892	$ 151,844
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Cash	4,100
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Other	$ 1,100
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired				700
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net		5,500		3,800
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets				700
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, Low				5,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High				15,000
Trade Names [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired				400
Customer Relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired		$ 1,700		$ 300