Executive Search Directory 2026
Technology Executive Search Firms
41 firms • 38 cities • 7 tiers from Big 5 to boutique
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Spencer Stuart
Big 5Big 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.
Russell Reynolds
Big 5Big 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.
Korn Ferry
Big 5Big 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.
Heidrick & Struggles
Big 5Big 5. Publicly traded (HSII). Founded 1953.
Global executive search and leadership consulting firm. Technology & Services practice focuses on CTO, CIO, and digital transformation leadership.
Egon Zehnder
Big 5Big 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.
Odgers Berndtson
GlobalOffices 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.
Boyden
GlobalFounded 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.
Caldwell
GlobalPublicly 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.
Stanton Chase
Global76 offices in 45 countries.
Global executive search and leadership consulting. Technology, industrial, and financial services C-suite. Strong Southeast Asia and DACH presence.
Christian & Timbers
Tech SpecialistPure-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.
Daversa Partners
Tech SpecialistVC 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).
DHR Global
Tech Specialist50+ offices globally.
Global executive search with a dedicated Silicon Valley technology practice. Sits between boutique and Big 5 in reach and fee structure.
ZRG Partners
Tech SpecialistRaised $120M. Data-driven search platform.
Data-driven executive search using proprietary "Zi" talent intelligence platform. Technology, private equity, and financial services focus.
True Search
Tech SpecialistTechnology-focused executive search specializing in high-growth companies. Places CTOs, VPs of Engineering, and product leaders at venture-backed startups and scale-ups.
Riviera Partners
Tech SpecialistTechnology executive search firm focused on engineering and product leadership for high-growth companies. Known for deep Silicon Valley network.
Marlin Hawk
Tech SpecialistGlobal executive search firm specializing in transformational leadership. Strong focus on digital, data, and technology roles at the C-suite level.
KTG Search
Tech SpecialistTechnology executive search focused on placing engineering and product leaders at high-growth technology companies.
Harnham
AI & DataData/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.
Talentfoot
AI & DataRanked #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.
Cowen Partners
AI & DataAverage 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.
Kienbaum
EuropeanFounded 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.
Leathwaite
EuropeanAESC Top 50 recruiter.
Corporate function leadership search specializing in CTO, CIO, CDO, and CISO roles. Strong in financial services and professional services technology leadership.
Pedersen & Partners
European56 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.
Signium
European90%+ repeat business rate.
Partner-owned global executive search network. Strong in Germany, Switzerland, Nordics, and Latin America for digital and technology leadership mandates.
Amrop
EuropeanPartner-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.
BTI Executive Search
Asia-PacificPan-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.
Kestria
Asia-PacificFormerly IRC Global. 40+ countries.
Global member-owned executive search alliance with coverage across 40+ countries. Technology practice active across Nordics, APAC, and emerging markets.
Hunt Club
BoutiqueExpert network-driven executive search platform. Leverages a curated network of 10,000+ executives to source and vet candidates for technology leadership roles.
Husk Talent
BoutiqueBoutique technology executive search focused on placing engineering and product leaders at high-growth startups and scale-ups.
GM Ryan
BoutiqueBoutique executive search firm specializing in technology leadership placements. Known for hands-on partner involvement throughout the search process.
Shine
BoutiqueTechnology-focused executive search placing CTOs, VPs of Engineering, and product leaders at venture-backed companies.
Connexus Global
BoutiqueGlobal executive search firm connecting technology leaders with growth-stage and enterprise companies across North America and Europe.
A-List Search
BoutiqueBoutique technology executive search focused on placing senior engineering and product leaders.
TWG Global
BoutiqueExecutive search firm specializing in technology and engineering leadership placements at high-growth companies.
Parker + Remick
BoutiqueBoutique executive search placing technology leaders at growth-stage companies.
Adison Partners
BoutiqueExecutive search firm focused on technology and digital leadership placements.
680 Partners
BoutiqueBoutique executive search firm specializing in technology leadership roles.
Safire Partners
BoutiqueBoutique executive search placing technology and engineering leaders at venture-backed companies.
Holliday Partners
BoutiqueBoutique technology executive search firm.
Infinity Consulting
BoutiqueKorn Ferry network.
Technology staffing and executive search. Part of the Korn Ferry network for specialized technology leadership placements.
Frohlinger & Associates
BoutiqueBoutique executive search firm specializing in technology leadership placements.
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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