about us
We don’t just help you move on. We help you
move forward.
Challenger, Gray & Christmas makes career shifts a turning point to bounce back and move forward—for people, for business, for good.
Where you’ve seen us
The philosophy behind every transition
At Challenger, we approach every individual’s career shift with personalized coaching, the latest technology, and structured accountability—providing the right balance of support and momentum. This approach ensures every transition is strategic, seamless, and successful, backed by the core principles that set us apart.
Exceptional execution
A singular focus on outplacement and career coaching with results that prove we deliver what we promise, every time.
Dependable by design
We solve problems before they happen and ensure every person and company feels cared for and confident in the next step.
Forward, together
For HR leaders, we ensure business continuity. For employees, we inspire confidence in what’s next.
Custom-fit expertise
We know careers, industries, and transitions inside and out. Whatever the challenge, we customize solutions to meet the moment.
The company that Created Outplacement
Challenger, Gray & Christmas was born from the belief that career shifts, no matter how difficult, can be moments of empowerment, growth, and clarity. Our mission is to ensure that no individual feels lost, and no organization feels overwhelmed during these times of change.
In 1961, James E. Challenger was let go from his position. During this time, he experienced firsthand the lack of resources and support for those out of work. Motivated to fill this gap, James founded the first outplacement firm in the U.S. in 1966 to provide career transition services.
Today, Challenger, Gray & Christmas continues to lead the industry with a coaching-first approach that pairs human expertise with advanced technology. From deeply personal career plans to AI-driven job tools, we set the standard for what outplacement can achieve.
For employees, it’s about more than finding another job. It’s about rediscovering their confidence and stepping into the right role for their skills and aspirations. For companies, it’s about handling these moments with respect and maintaining trust with their retained teams.
This intersection of humanity and opportunity drives everything we do, and our pursuit of better outcomes for everyone ensures we’ll continue to transform career shifts for decades to come.
Through compassionate service, unparalleled expertise, and game-changing technology, Challenger, Gray & Christmas exists to redefine what career transitions mean. We honor every individual’s journey, simplify complexity for HR leaders, and create measurable results that matter. Together, we make career shifts a turning point to bounce back and move forward—for people, for business, for good.
Built on one bold idea
“Challenger helps clients represent themselves in a way that reinforces self-worth. Everything is very positive — and people need this.”
James E. Challenger | Founder
The team behind
the impact
Successful outplacement starts with expertise. Our career transition strategists design and implement programs that drive results and support every employee’s next move.