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Executive Search Directory 2026

Technology Executive Search Firms

41 firms • 38 cities • 7 tiers from Big 5 to boutique

Executive search directory — technology leadership headhunter firms

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41 Firms
38 Cities
7 Tiers
41 Showing

Big 5 executive search firm. Founded 1956.

One of the Big 5 global executive search firms. Technology, Media & Telecommunications practice places CTO, CIO, and board-level technology leaders across Fortune 500 companies.

Roles
CTOCIOVP EngineeringBoard +1
Offices
New YorkSan FranciscoLondon +3

Big 5 executive search firm. 47 offices worldwide.

Global leadership advisory firm with a dedicated Technology Officers practice. Known for placing CTOs and digital leaders at enterprise scale.

Roles
CTOCIOCDOVP Engineering +1
Offices
New YorkSan FranciscoLondon +2

Korn Ferry

Big 5

Big 5. Largest by revenue. Publicly traded (KFY).

Largest executive search firm globally by revenue. Technology practice covers the full C-suite and VP-level technology leadership across all industries.

Roles
CTOCIOCISOVP Engineering +2
Offices
Los AngelesNew YorkLondon +3

Big 5. Publicly traded (HSII). Founded 1953.

Global executive search and leadership consulting firm. Technology & Services practice focuses on CTO, CIO, and digital transformation leadership.

Roles
CTOCIOCDOVP Engineering +1
Offices
ChicagoNew YorkLondon +2

Egon Zehnder

Big 5

Big 5. Single-profit-pool partnership model. 63 offices.

Partnership-structured global executive search firm. Known for board-level and C-suite placements. Technology & Communications practice places senior technology leaders.

Roles
CTOCIOCDOBoard +1
Offices
ZurichLondonNew York +3

Offices in 35+ countries. Active scale-up/VC practice.

Global executive search firm with dedicated Technology Practice and Scale-Up Collective for high-growth companies. Strong presence across Europe, North America, and APAC.

Roles
CTOCIOCDOVP Engineering +1
Offices
LondonNew YorkMunich +3

Boyden

Global

Founded 1946. 75+ offices in 45 countries.

One of the oldest executive search firms globally. Technology and digital transformation practice covers CTO and CIO-level mandates across 45 countries.

Roles
CTOCIOVP EngineeringBoard
Offices
New YorkLondonFrankfurt +2

Caldwell

Global

Publicly traded (CWLPF). Founded 1970.

Canadian-origin global executive search firm. Technology practice places CTOs and engineering leaders, with strong ties to the North American VC ecosystem.

Roles
CTOCIOVP Engineering
Offices
TorontoNew YorkSan Francisco +1

Stanton Chase

Global

76 offices in 45 countries.

Global executive search and leadership consulting. Technology, industrial, and financial services C-suite. Strong Southeast Asia and DACH presence.

Roles
CTOCIOVP Engineering
Offices
BaltimoreSingaporeMunich +2

Christian & Timbers

Tech Specialist

Pure-play tech. 5,000+ C-suite placements.

Exclusively technology and AI executive search with 40+ years of experience. Over 5,000 C-suite placements in technology roles. The largest pure-play tech executive search firm.

Roles
CTOCIOCISOVP Engineering +1
Offices
ClevelandNew YorkSan Francisco +1

Daversa Partners

Tech Specialist

VC ecosystem specialist. Series B-D focus.

VC-backed and high-growth technology companies. Deep relationships with tier-1 venture firms (Sequoia, a16z, Bessemer). Known for fast timelines (8-9 weeks).

Roles
CTOVP EngineeringCPO
Offices
WestportNew YorkSan Francisco +1

DHR Global

Tech Specialist

50+ offices globally.

Global executive search with a dedicated Silicon Valley technology practice. Sits between boutique and Big 5 in reach and fee structure.

Roles
CTOCIOVP Engineering
Offices
ChicagoSan FranciscoNew York +1

ZRG Partners

Tech Specialist

Raised $120M. Data-driven search platform.

Data-driven executive search using proprietary "Zi" talent intelligence platform. Technology, private equity, and financial services focus.

Roles
CTOVP EngineeringCIO
Offices
New JerseyNew YorkSan Francisco +1

True Search

Tech Specialist

Technology-focused executive search specializing in high-growth companies. Places CTOs, VPs of Engineering, and product leaders at venture-backed startups and scale-ups.

Roles
CTOVP EngineeringCPOEngineering Manager
Offices
New YorkSan FranciscoLondon

Riviera Partners

Tech Specialist

Technology executive search firm focused on engineering and product leadership for high-growth companies. Known for deep Silicon Valley network.

Roles
CTOVP EngineeringEngineering Manager
Offices
San FranciscoNew York

Marlin Hawk

Tech Specialist

Global executive search firm specializing in transformational leadership. Strong focus on digital, data, and technology roles at the C-suite level.

Roles
CTOCDOCIOVP Engineering
Offices
LondonNew YorkSingapore

KTG Search

Tech Specialist

Technology executive search focused on placing engineering and product leaders at high-growth technology companies.

Roles
CTOVP Engineering
Offices
New YorkSan Francisco

Harnham

AI & Data

Data/AI pure-play. Growing US presence.

Data, analytics, and AI executive search exclusively. Covers CDO, VP of Data, Head of ML, and Chief AI Officer roles. The go-to specialist for data and AI leadership.

Roles
CDOVP DataHead of MLCAIO
Offices
LondonNew YorkSan Francisco +1

Talentfoot

AI & Data

Ranked #1 AI executive search (multiple rankings).

Digital, technology, and AI leadership search. Ranked among top AI executive search firms. Serves 2,500+ companies placing CAIOs, CDOs, and AI product leaders.

Roles
CAIOCDOVP AICTO
Offices
ChicagoNew YorkSan Francisco

Cowen Partners

AI & Data

Average placement in 6 weeks.

Boutique retained executive search with growing AI and CTO practice. Known for Chief AI Officer and data leadership placements at PE-backed and mid-market companies.

Roles
CTOCAIOCISOCOO
Offices
PortlandNew YorkChicago

Kienbaum

European

Founded 1945. Dominant in DACH region.

Germany's oldest and most established consulting and executive search firm. Dominant in the DACH market for digital transformation and technology leadership mandates.

Roles
CTOCIOCDOVP Engineering
Offices
DüsseldorfMunichBerlin +3

Leathwaite

European

AESC Top 50 recruiter.

Corporate function leadership search specializing in CTO, CIO, CDO, and CISO roles. Strong in financial services and professional services technology leadership.

Roles
CTOCIOCDOCISO +1
Offices
LondonNew YorkHong Kong +3

56 offices in 50 countries.

Global executive search with strength in emerging markets, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. Technology practice group for CTO-level searches.

Roles
CTOCIOVP Engineering
Offices
CopenhagenLondonSingapore +2

Signium

European

90%+ repeat business rate.

Partner-owned global executive search network. Strong in Germany, Switzerland, Nordics, and Latin America for digital and technology leadership mandates.

Roles
CTOCIOVP Engineering
Offices
ZurichFrankfurtStockholm +2

Amrop

European

Partner-owned network. 69 offices.

Partner-owned global executive search with digital and technology practice. Popular for mid-market and European tech mandates. 69 offices across 55 countries.

Roles
CTOCDOCIOBoard
Offices
BrusselsParisMilan +3

BTI Executive Search

Asia-Pacific

Pan-ASEAN focus.

One of the top independent executive search firms in Southeast Asia. Covers technology, industrial, and financial services C-suite across the ASEAN corridor.

Roles
CTOCIOVP Engineering
Offices
SingaporeKuala LumpurJakarta +1

Kestria

Asia-Pacific

Formerly IRC Global. 40+ countries.

Global member-owned executive search alliance with coverage across 40+ countries. Technology practice active across Nordics, APAC, and emerging markets.

Roles
CTOCIOVP Engineering
Offices
SingaporeStockholmSydney +2

Hunt Club

Boutique

Expert network-driven executive search platform. Leverages a curated network of 10,000+ executives to source and vet candidates for technology leadership roles.

Roles
CTOVP EngineeringEngineering Manager
Offices
ChicagoNew YorkSan Francisco

Husk Talent

Boutique

Boutique technology executive search focused on placing engineering and product leaders at high-growth startups and scale-ups.

Roles
CTOVP Engineering
Offices
New YorkSan Francisco

GM Ryan

Boutique

Boutique executive search firm specializing in technology leadership placements. Known for hands-on partner involvement throughout the search process.

Roles
CTOVP EngineeringEngineering Manager
Offices
New York

Shine

Boutique

Technology-focused executive search placing CTOs, VPs of Engineering, and product leaders at venture-backed companies.

Roles
CTOVP EngineeringCPO
Offices
San FranciscoNew York

Connexus Global

Boutique

Global executive search firm connecting technology leaders with growth-stage and enterprise companies across North America and Europe.

Roles
CTOCIOVP Engineering
Offices
New YorkLondon

A-List Search

Boutique

Boutique technology executive search focused on placing senior engineering and product leaders.

Roles
CTOVP Engineering
Offices
New York

TWG Global

Boutique

Executive search firm specializing in technology and engineering leadership placements at high-growth companies.

Roles
CTOVP Engineering
Offices
New YorkSan Francisco

Parker + Remick

Boutique

Boutique executive search placing technology leaders at growth-stage companies.

Roles
CTOVP Engineering
Offices
New York

Adison Partners

Boutique

Executive search firm focused on technology and digital leadership placements.

Roles
CTOVP EngineeringCIO
Offices
New York

680 Partners

Boutique

Boutique executive search firm specializing in technology leadership roles.

Roles
CTOVP Engineering
Offices
New York

Safire Partners

Boutique

Boutique executive search placing technology and engineering leaders at venture-backed companies.

Roles
CTOVP Engineering
Offices
San Francisco

Boutique technology executive search firm.

Roles
CTOVP Engineering
Offices
New York

Korn Ferry network.

Technology staffing and executive search. Part of the Korn Ferry network for specialized technology leadership placements.

Roles
CTOVP EngineeringEngineering Manager
Offices
New York

Boutique executive search firm specializing in technology leadership placements.

Roles
CTOVP Engineering
Offices
New York

Independent directory. Firms listed by tier and alphabetically within tier. Listings are not endorsements or rankings.

Featured Firms

The Big 5 executive search firms dominate senior technology placements at enterprise scale. Below them, a handful of tech-specialist firms have built deep networks in Silicon Valley and the VC ecosystem. These eight firms cover the widest range of CTO, VP Engineering, and Chief AI Officer search capability.

The Big 5

Firm Founded Offices Strength
Spencer Stuart 1956 New York, SF, London, Munich TMT practice, Fortune 500 CTO/CIO
Russell Reynolds 1969 New York, SF, London, Hong Kong Technology Officers practice, digital leaders
Korn Ferry 1969 Los Angeles, New York, London Largest by revenue, full C-suite tech
Heidrick & Struggles 1953 Chicago, New York, London, SF Digital transformation leadership
Egon Zehnder 1964 Zurich, London, New York, Munich Partnership model, board-level tech

Tech Specialists

Firm Focus Known For
Christian & Timbers CTO, CIO, CAIO Pure-play tech search, 5,000+ C-suite placements
Daversa Partners CTO, VP Eng, CPO VC ecosystem, fast timelines (8–9 weeks)
Riviera Partners CTO, VP Eng Deep Silicon Valley network, engineering leaders

How We Select Firms

This directory is independent and editorially curated. No firm pays for inclusion, and no placement is ranked above another within its tier. Firms are listed based on their public track record of technology leadership placements, not on advertising or partnership agreements.

Each firm is categorized by tier: the Big 5 (Spencer Stuart, Russell Reynolds, Korn Ferry, Heidrick & Struggles, Egon Zehnder) are the five largest global executive search firms by revenue and office footprint. Below them, we distinguish between global firms with broad practice areas, tech specialists focused on engineering and product leadership, AI and data specialists, European firms, APAC-focused firms, and boutiques.

Specialties are assigned based on the roles each firm publicly advertises placing. Geography reflects offices and active search markets, not just headquarters. The "tech-focused" and "AI-focused" flags indicate firms where technology or AI leadership is a primary practice, not a sideline.

We review and update this directory quarterly. Firms are added when they show a track record of placing CTOs, VPs of Engineering, Chief AI Officers, or equivalent roles. Firms are removed if they cease operations or pivot away from technology executive search. If you represent a firm that should be listed, contact us with three verifiable technology leadership placements from the past 12 months.

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