Executive Search Directory 2026
Tech Headhunters in New York
33 executive search firms with NYC presence • Big 5 to boutique
Looking for open CTO and VP Engineering roles in New York? Browse our executive tech job board — updated daily.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
New York Tech Market
New York City is the second-largest technology hiring market in the US and has the highest concentration of executive search firm headquarters anywhere. Three of the Big 5 — Spencer Stuart, Russell Reynolds, and Heidrick & Struggles — maintain major New York offices, and many of the boutique and specialist firms in this directory are headquartered in Manhattan.
The New York tech market is structurally different from the Bay Area. It runs on fintech (Stripe, Bloomberg, Plaid), media technology (The New York Times, Spotify, Warner Bros. Discovery), adtech (DoubleVerify, LiveRamp, The Trade Desk), and enterprise SaaS (Datadog, MongoDB, UiPath). CTO mandates in NYC often require domain knowledge in financial regulation, media operations, or enterprise sales cycles — not just engineering scale.
The density of search firms in New York gives hiring companies more options but also creates a noisier market for candidate attention. A CTO candidate at the growth-stage or pre-IPO level may be approached by several search firms at the same time. Firms with prior relationships in the NYC ecosystem — Christian & Timbers and True Search among them — tend to get first conversations.
New York Tech Leadership Salaries
Executive search fees scale with total compensation, so the NYC salary market directly affects search costs. Below: what technology leaders earn in New York in 2026.
| Role | Base Salary | Total Comp | Salary Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTO (Growth Stage) | $260K – $360K | $400K – $650K | CTO Salary Guide |
| VP Engineering | $240K – $330K | $375K – $575K | VP Eng Salary Guide |
| Chief AI Officer | $280K – $380K | $450K – $750K+ | CAIO Salary Guide |
| Director of Engineering | $210K – $285K | $280K – $475K | DoE Salary Guide |
The Monday Brief for Engineering Leaders
AI strategy, leadership lessons, and tech trends. In your inbox every Monday morning.
Subscribe to CTO Newsletter →