More than seven in 10 (73%) of senior executives are actively seeking a new role this year, according to the BlueSteps 2011 Executive Mobility report.

In contrast to 2009’s Executive Mobility Report, where 34% of executives expected to stay at their level for just one year before progressing upwards, 65% of executives are now saying they plan to stay at their current level for the next three to five years.

The report also shows that 58% of executives around the world believe there is now more competition for executive level jobs compared with five years ago, with the competition changing to include younger and out of work executives. Almost half of female respondents (46%) feel they now have fewer opportunities for senior level positions than five years ago.

Peter Felix, president of the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) and BlueSteps.com, says: “Senior executives around the world are eager and ready to make career moves after waiting out the recession and the unstable economy of the last few years.

“That said, trends in the senior executive job market are making it more difficult to move up the ladder quickly, especially in the West where many executives have put off retirement.

“Trends in the emerging markets are slightly different — with the growth of multi-nationals in these regions, executives have more opportunity than ever, and can therefore progress their careers faster.”