12 Best Technology Search Firms for Executive Positions

Each business owner knows that the only way to have a successful team is by hiring top talent. An executive search company assists in identifying and recruiting the best and most skilled people with skills, the right vision and industry expertise necessary to drive growth. In an era where information technology is changing, the quest for the best leadership is crucial right now, more than ever, in most firms. 

There has also been a rise in senior roles, including chief digital officers, which reflects the shift to acquire tech leaders in different companies. According to research by Deloitte, 27% of firms have a chief data officer, and at least 51% of organizations have a chief technology officer. Read on to understand what technology firms do and why you should hire some of the top and best technology search firms for executive positions.

What Are Technology Executive Search Firms?

Technology executive search firms refer to agencies that specialize in looking for and playing some of the top-level people in tech companies. These firms ate themselves in looking for companies with people who can guide the team in the proper direction to running a sustainable business.

It specializes in identifying, recruiting, and placing top talent in different companies. They focus on getting people with the right blend of technical experience, leadership skills and industrial experience. Some of the popular rules in executive positions are chief technology officer (CTO), chief marketing officer CMO, chief information security CISO, VP of Data Science/AI, VP of Engineering and more.

Why Should You Use A Technology Executive Search Firm?

According to Statista, the market size for tech search firms was 35 billion euros, with Korn Ferry leading in revenue with 3 billion US dollars. Tech search firms use data-driven approaches to how some of the best-performing technology leaders globally. These companies can locate experienced people, use the right technology and also make the process easy for you. 

Expertise in IT and Technology Leadership Roles

An executive search firm that deals with technology easily understands some of the issues related to the industry. Most of these firms understand the technology space and thus will screen candidates who are not only experienced but also have the right skills. They also know which is suitable for a leadership role if you’re searching for a Chief Information Officer (CIO), for instance.

Access to Passive Talent

The majority of employees in the technology field want to leverage the firm’s large database of professionals in the field. That allows them to get qualified individuals who might not be on the job market hunt but are ready to join your firm. With an executive search team, you will have lots of options on whom you can get to your company.

Streamlined Hiring with Technology

One of the most significant advancements in executive search technology is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). These technologies have enabled recruiters to go through the database pretty fast and find the ideal match for your firm. 

AI-powered platforms easily sift through many profiles, thus evaluating the candidates based on their experience, cultural background, and skills, which most technology search firms have.

Confidential and Strategic Hiring

Unfortunately, many candidates look great on paper but lack the right skills to help your business grow. An executive technology firm assists with strategic hiring so that they understand which skills and qualities are ideal for your firm.

It is easy for them to conduct a background check using their tools and know the relevant interview questions to ask so they don’t set you up for failure.

12 Best Technology Search Firms

Your IT infrastructure and technical stack are the key to your firm’s success. However, optimizing can be impossible, especially if you lack a strong team. That explains why recruitment agencies’ technology is rising in popularity, thus implying the hiring process. In 2024, 19,425 recruiting agencies in the US decreased by -4.1% from 2023. 

However, there are still some notable technology search firms to consider. In this section, we shall discuss the top 12 tech recruiting search firms based on their geographical location, reviews, and some of their notable clients. But before we do that, here’s a table to compare all the 12 firms.

Read further: 10 Best Growth Marketing Recruiting Agencies for Executive Positions, Top 10 Executive Search Firms in the USA

1. Globy

Globy was founded in 2022 and has become one of the top U.S. talent acquisition agencies dedicated to linking U.S. companies with some of the best software engineers from Latin America, Europe, and other parts of the world.

Globy will help you secure top-tier and thoroughly vetted engineers with the right communication skills and the best technical prowess that your firm needs. Notably, the firm will guide you through the hiring process and advise you on the best locations to find top talent.

Expertise

• Talent Acquisition
• Compliance and Payroll
• Staff Augmentation

2. Riviera Partners

Riviera Partners has redefined recruiting by utilizing technology to get the best tech leaders. It was founded in 2001 and has over 80 recruiting professionals. Notably, Riviera Partners serves over 120 US and EU cities, making them a reliable company for your recurring services. Some of their well-known companies include Bumble, Affirm, Grammarly, Discord, McAfee, HubSpot and more.

Expertise

• Healthcare
• Robotics
• Fintech
• Software
• Consumer
• Content and Data Management
• Education

3. Stanton Chase

Stanton Chase is an executive search firm that was founded in 1990 and has grown spontaneously since. The company has an 8.9 out of 10 customer satisfaction review. It often deals with over 300 annual placements, making it one of the most resourceful recruiting firms.

Stanton Chase is a global firm with experts in over 45 countries, including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific. Notably, they have over 70 offices, which makes it easy to get in touch with their executive consultants around the world.

Expertise

• Financial Services
• Natural Resources, Mining and Energy
• Life Sciences and Healthcare
• Technology

4. Heller Search Associates

Heller Search Associates specializes in getting chief technology officers (CTOs), chief information officers (CIOs) and other top IT executives. This women-owned executive search firm was established in 2010, with its headquarters in Westborough, MA. They’ve worked with a vast array of clients, including Resideo, Thorlabs, United Natural Foods and more.

Specialties

• Executive Recruiters of CTO, CIO
• IT and Leadership Roles
• Product Management
• Infrastructure
• IT Strategy

5. Cowen Partners

Cowen Partners is known to have a 96% success rate with 100% retention rates for all the employees they link companies with. The company prides itself in accessing a wide access of talent. It provides tailored expertise and also offers a proper strategic approach.

It was founded in 2015 and has its headquarters in Vancouver, Washington. Some of their past clients include Alaska, Costco Wholesale, T-Mobile and Nordstrom.

Expertise

• Technology
• Real Estate
• Private Equity
• Banking
• Family Business
• Software
• Blockchain Technology

6. Vell Executive Search

Vell Executive Search specializes in sourcing and hiring senior-level executives in Canada and the U.S. Founded in 2005, Vell Executive Search the company has been assisting both private and public enterprises to find the right talent. They’ve worked with companies such as Carbonite, AWeber, Plotly, Univision, Fleetmatics and more.

Expertise

• Software/SaaS
• Cloud
• Cybersecurity
• Digital Commerce
• Data and Analytics
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• IoT (Internet of Things)
• Edtech and Fintech
• Martech and Adtech

7. Spencer Stuart

Spencer Stuart is one of the leading firms in global executive search thanks to its deep understanding of the industry combined with a group of experienced consultants. Spencer Stuart was founded in 1956 and has over 60 officers while operating in over 30 countries.

These are the industries the company specializes in:

• Technology, Media & Telecommunications
• Consumer
• Financial Services
• Education & Social Impact
• Healthcare
• Industrial
• Private Equity
• Professional and Technology Services

8. Korn Ferry

It is one of the biggest recruiting firms in the world. Korn Ferry helps mainly with the design of optimal roles and responsibilities and with dealing with organizational structures. Therefore, they help startups get the right talent for their business. The company has an overall rating of 4.2 stars.

Expertise

• Executive Search
• Board & CEO Advisory
• CEO Succession Planning
• Executive Assessment
• Leadership Consulting
• HR & Talent Advisory
• CEO Performance Acceleration
• Digital Transformation
• Sustainability
• Restructuring
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Family Business
• Automotive and Aerospace
• Healthcare
• Financial Services

9. TGS US

The Good Search (TGS) U.S. is not your average type of executive search firm. Instead, their approach is different in that they make the search easier and more efficient, thus matching you with the right talent.

Their clients range from venture capital-backed startups to some of the best and most powerful technology companies. It was founded by an Emmy-Awards winning investigative journalist, Krista Bradford, in 1999. 

The firm uses AI to maximize better results. In addition to its executive search services, TGS is suitable for diversity, equity, and inclusion recruiting. They operate in different cities, including Greater Austin, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Portland, as well as across other U.S. cities. Some of their clients include Amazon, AWS, eBay and more.

Expertise

• Placement
• Recruiting
• Executive-Level
• Finance
• Accounting
• Treasury Audit

10. Redfish Technology

Redfish Technology is one of the leading tech recruitment companies that works with local and national-wide clients. The firm specializes in different fields, including artificial intelligence, big data, software, and other IT fields.

A lot of people enjoy working with Redfish Technology, with many raising ten for their exceptional services and dedication to giving their clients top-tier employees. Since its establishment in 1996, Redfish Technology has worked with different clients, including Vailmail, BillionVault, Atlassian and others.

Here’s their expertise

• High Tech
• Software
• Sales
• Marketing
• Cloud
• Edtech
• eLearning
• Product Management
• Account Executives
• Engineering
• Artificial Intelligence
• Fintech
• Mobile Apps
• Internet
• Security
• Health Tech
• Marketing Services
• Digital Media
• Cyber Security and Networking

11. Emergent Staffing

Emergent Staffing is one of the top staffing services located in Twin Cities, Minnesota. It was founded in 2020 and has helped lots of companies get professional IT members even to fill some of the top and most executive positions. Emergent Staffing has assisted companies such as NASDAQ, ByteMobile, Ellacoya Networks and others. 

The firm’s recruitment process involves proper vetting to ensure the employees have the right experience, and it also celebrates the different unique backgrounds and how these individuals blend in different countries. This is one of the best search firms for executive positions for both job seekers and employers. Their vertigo process is quite interesting as it involves:

• Profile Screening
• Culture Fit
• Skills Assessment
• Recruiter Interview
• Role-Based Challenge

Specialties

• IT Staffing Services
• IT Recruiting
• IT Permanent Placement
• Staff Augmentation
• IT Temporary Talent
• Recruitment Process Outsourcing

12. LaSalle Network

LaSalle Network is unique since it helps firms in recruiting one person or a group of people. It doesn’t matter if you need a direct hire or executive search, but LaSalle Network is out to help all types of businesses.

Established in 1998, LaSalle Network has worked with multiple clients and placed over 80,000 candidates in temporary and permanent positions. After being in the business for over 26 years, LaSalle Network has supported over 15,000 companies, with almost 300k candidates getting a life-changing opportunity in some of the best firms.

Specialties

• Technology
• Healthcare
• Accounting and Finance
• Marketing
• Sales
• Supply Chain

What Skills Are Most In-Demand for Executive Positions in Technology Search Firms?

As an executive, displaying a mix of crucial skills defining your capability to lead a dynamic business environment is essential. These are some of the highly sought-after competencies in executive-level candidates.

Visionary Leadership and Strategic Planning           

A visionary leader doesn’t always have to be grandiose and bombastic. A visionary leader sees the world differently and embraces the unknown. This is the reason why most people are great at planning. That allows them to turn their vision into reality since they already have clear goals that are well set and a plan that equips every team member at the individual levels.

Advanced Technical Expertise

Advanced technical expertise is one of the most in-demand qualities for executive positions in technology. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, cybersecurity, and blockchain require leaders with a deep understanding of how they work. 

Executives must navigate these changes and make informed decisions to keep their organizations competitive. Additionally, with the rising cybersecurity threats and data privacy regulations, executives must understand security risks and compliance requirements.

Business Acumen and Market Understanding

Executives with strong business acumen can easily align technology initiatives with business goals. They understand how to drive revenue, improve profitability, and position the company for long-term success. It is also an incredible way to understand market trends, customer needs, and emerging technologies.

Talent Development and Team Building

The tech industry is constantly evolving, and leaders must develop and upskill their teams to keep up with new technologies. With intense competition for skilled and top-tier talent who will give companies a competitive edge, working with the right tech recruiting company means that you only get qualified people in your circle. It is also an incredible way to comply with data privacy laws.

Adaptability and Change Management

Since companies are undergoing digital transformation, they must have leaders who can assist with these transformations—being in a position to adjust means that the company can easily deal with Uncertainties And Economic Volatility.

How to Choose the Best Technology Executive Search Firm

Choosing an executive search firm can be overwhelming, primarily because so many exist. Understanding your needs is the right way to go about it, but there are also other factors to consider, as listed below.

Evaluate Industry Expertise

One of the things that is growing pretty fast is the technological field. So, when selecting an executive search firm, be sure to look at their experience in the tech industry. Opt for those who understand how to recruit different tech personnel, including CIOs and CTOs.

Check Client Reviews

Other clients’ feedback will determine what type of observations the company will provide to you. Testimonies and customer satisfaction indicate what to expect from the company. Avoid those with lots of negative reviews.

Globy clients mainly praise their services for understanding their needs and being responsive. Heller Search Associates have commended the team for their in-depth knowledge of the COI talent pool, whereas Redfish Technology clients are happy with their supportive and enthusiastic team.

Assess Global Reach

A firm with a strong global network is essential if your organization operates internationally or seeks diverse talent. Finding a company that specializes in executive placements worldwide means that they will leverage their deep industry connections and regional expertise to find the best candidates across multiple markets.

Conclusion

Selecting the ideal technology search firm will significantly impact your firm’s success. Therefore, be careful who you partner with. Check their ratings, some of the companies they’ve worked with, and, most importantly if the team has experience hiring tech experts. 

During your research, consider a company that takes its pre-vetting process thoroughly. The company should offer practical assessments of the candidates before getting them to specific firms. Look at the reviews, they will let you know which firm is best for your next recruiting process.

Read further: Top 12 Talent Acquisition Companies,  5 Effective Ways to Equip Your Nearshore Team

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Article author

Vit Koval

Co-founder at Globy

A top Global Hiring voice on LinkedIn, co-founder of Globy, and host of Default Global. Using deep expertise in global hiring, remote work, and global business expansion to help companies excel worldwide with innovative strategies.