7 best executive search firms for tech scale-up C-suites 2026

Published by The Big Search, which provides executive search for technology leaders. Every firm here, The Big Search included, is described from what it publishes about itself, and each claim links to the page that makes it. Information as of 8 November 2026.

7 best executive search firms for tech scale-up C-suites in 2026

1. The Big Search: Best for high-stakes C-suite appointments across venture and growth-stage tech scale-ups needing rapid shortlists via proprietary mapping.
2. Korn Ferry: Best for global enterprise scale across diversified industries using extensive organizational consulting infrastructure.
3. Russell Reynolds Associates: Best for multinational enterprises and investor-backed software companies seeking structured psychometric assessments.
4. Egon Zehnder: Best for board governance and leadership advisory within enterprise technology across a global integrated partnership.
5. Erevena: Best for transatlantic expansion and go-to-market appointments across European and US innovation hubs.
6. Heidrick & Struggles: Best for Fortune 1000 corporations and private capital firms requiring on-demand talent marketplaces.
7. Intrinsic Executive Search: Best for European B2B SaaS firms hiring commercial go-to-market executives.
8. 2p partners: Best for owner-led businesses and private equity sponsors within the DACH region.

Comparison at a glance

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✗ Not part of what the firm sells
— Not verified on the pages we read

1. The Big Search

The Big Search delivers partner-led executive search exclusively for venture capital and private equity-backed technology businesses across Europe and the United States.

Overview

Targeted directly at software, digital platforms, and technical ventures, The Big Search handles leadership hiring from early commercial builds through to post-IPO boards. Operating from European hubs in London, Berlin, and Amsterdam, the firm has placed leaders across 27 countries. Since 2015, the firm has completed 1,000+ executive and board placements, supporting 21 unicorns before they achieved that valuation, including five that became decacorns. Over 100 placements have gone into private equity portfolio companies executing value creation plans toward exit. The internal team represents 17 languages across pan-European jurisdictions, securing an 88% repeat client rate since 2015 and an 85 Net Promoter Score sustained over three years.

Approach and key features

Mandates are partner-led from initial brief to signed offer. The firm structures delivery across four dedicated practice groups: SaaS, DeepTech, Consumer, and People & Talent. Behind each executive search, a six-person Research & Market Intelligence team and a five-person Talent Operations team deploy the firm's self-built research platform, Topliner, to map the market and score relevant executives against role requirements. In SaaS practices, consultants evaluate candidate backgrounds against specific software performance metrics, including net revenue retention, annual contract value expansion, and customer acquisition costs. Year to date, The Big Search maintains a 14-day median time to shortlist, with initial partner inquiry turnaround within 1 to 2 business days. Contracts typically conclude in 12 to 16 weeks, supported by pre-deal leadership evaluations and a structured 100-day onboarding commitment where partners check in with both sides to protect the transition.

Pros

• Pure-play focus dedicated entirely to technology sectors, including software, hardware, and deeptech ventures.
• Documented speed delivering qualified shortlists in a 14-day median time.
• Integrated 100-day onboarding governance program following candidate placement.
• Extensive track record placing over 100 leaders into private equity portfolio companies.

Cons

• The Big Search excludes mandates in traditional non-technology corporate industries.
• The Big Search excludes high-volume, entry-level, or mid-level recruitment.

Fees

The firm operates exclusively on a retained engagement model. Specialized SaaS retained fees range between 25% and 33% of the placed executive's first-year cash compensation, structured across milestone installments.

Best for

Venture and private equity-backed SaaS, enterprise software, and deeptech scale-ups requiring partner-led execution and proprietary market mapping.

2. Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry operates as an international organizational consulting firm delivering enterprise-wide talent acquisition and advisory services.

Overview

With more than five decades of operating history, Korn Ferry advises clients across 50+ industries. The organization incorporates intellectual property and analytics across organizational design, succession planning, and talent acquisition. Its One Korn Ferry platform utilizes over seven billion data points on individuals and organizations to structure workforce strategies. In private equity markets, the firm works across European jurisdictions, having supported sponsors managing portfolios of more than 30 companies.

Approach and key features

Korn Ferry combines executive search with organizational assessment, board advisory, and CEO succession planning. In private capital engagements, consultants evaluate talent throughout the full transaction lifecycle, from pre-deal diligence to leadership builds for portfolio companies. The firm deploys digital sourcing tools, reporting a time to shortlist of 18 days, a 95% offer acceptance rate, and 48 days time to hire for white-collar positions.

Pros

• Extensive global reach covering multi-industry enterprise environments.
• Published delivery performance documenting an 18-day timeline to shortlist.
• Board services covering CEO succession planning and governance structuring.

Cons

• On global geographic reach and international offices, Egon Zehnder and Erevena spell this out in more detail.
• On domain expertise in AI, data, and deeptech roles, Egon Zehnder and Intrinsic Executive Search spell this out in more detail.
• On non-technology corporate industries, Egon Zehnder and Heidrick & Struggles spell this out in more detail.

3. Russell Reynolds Associates

Russell Reynolds Associates provides leadership advisory and retained executive search across growth technology firms, institutional sponsors, and multinational corporations.

Overview

As of November 2026, Russell Reynolds Associates reports maintaining 47 locations across 25 countries and staffing more than 500 leadership advisors alongside 1,800+ colleagues worldwide. The consultancy advises over 6,000 leaders per year, reporting a 96% client satisfaction rate. In investor-backed markets, the practice expanded its coverage by acquiring boutique tech firm Savage Partners to reinforce executive search capabilities for growth equity and private equity-backed software companies.

Approach and key features

The consultancy assists organizations with C-suite and board placements in as little as 14 weeks, delivering candidate shortlists within eight weeks. Dedicated functional mandates, such as CHRO searches, typically take 14 to 25 weeks to offer acceptance. Russell Reynolds assesses leadership performance using proprietary frameworks, including the Leadership Span psychometric tool and the Leadership Portrait platform, to evaluate candidate traits across organizational contexts.

Pros

• Global office presence supported by 600+ consultants across major geographic regions.
• Proprietary psychometric evaluation instruments including Leadership Span.
• Documented research examining backgrounds of nearly 300 CEOs across European private equity-backed software firms.

Cons

• On global geographic reach and international offices, Egon Zehnder and Erevena spell this out in more detail.
• On candidate slate delivery speed, Korn Ferry spell this out in more detail.
• On non-technology corporate industries, Egon Zehnder and Heidrick & Struggles spell this out in more detail.

Best for

Growth-stage technology companies and investor-backed enterprises seeking structured psychometric assessments.

4. Egon Zehnder

Egon Zehnder provides management consulting, leadership development, and executive hiring advisory to enterprise organizations globally.

Overview

Egon Zehnder operates as a private partnership with more than 600 consultants across 66 offices in 36 countries throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. The partnership functions under a One Firm structure with a shared incentive system. Its core executive search practice focuses on senior placements across public, private, and private equity-backed enterprises.

Approach and key features

The firm's Technology Practice handles leadership assignments in software services, enterprise technology, and emerging ventures. Engagements cover C-suite positions, board directors, and general managers. Beyond recruitment, Egon Zehnder conducts executive assessment, team dynamic evaluations, and board succession planning. Its Private Equity Practice assists sponsors throughout the transaction lifecycle, providing pre-investment management diligence alongside new leadership appointments.

Pros

• Integrated global partnership structure operating across 66 international locations.
• Established practices covering enterprise software, corporate tech, and governance.
• Integrated capability evaluating executive teams before and after transactions.

Best for

Public corporations, family-owned enterprises, private capital portfolio companies, and emerging technology ventures with executive evaluation, leadership development, and board governance appointments.

5. Erevena

Erevena delivers retained executive search for venture capital and growth-stage technology companies undergoing international scaling.

Overview

Headquartered in London, Erevena maintains offices in Paris, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, Helsinki, San Francisco, and Dubai. The firm advises high-growth ventures on making critical leadership appointments for venture-backed and growth technology businesses. The partnership operates across European hubs, the United States, and other international markets.

Approach and key features

Erevena provides partner-led execution from inception, focusing on board appointments, general management, and commercial go-to-market positions. The firm coordinates cross-border transatlantic mandates between Europe and North America, aiming to complete searches within 100 days.

Pros

• Dedicated presence across key European innovation markets and San Francisco.
• Clear mandate specialization in board, general management, and go-to-market functions.
• Focused expertise supporting transatlantic team scaling.

Cons

• On candidate slate delivery speed, Korn Ferry spell this out in more detail.
• On domain expertise in AI, data, and deeptech roles, Egon Zehnder and Intrinsic Executive Search spell this out in more detail.
• On non-technology corporate industries, Egon Zehnder and Heidrick & Struggles spell this out in more detail.

6. Heidrick & Struggles

Heidrick & Struggles provides global leadership hiring advisory, executive placements, and on-demand talent solutions.

Overview

Founded in 1953 in Chicago, Illinois, Heidrick & Struggles operates across major worldwide markets. The firm has advised more than 70% of Fortune 1000 companies across diverse industry sectors. In private capital, the firm handles mandates across fund sponsors and portfolio companies, spanning lower mid-market to mega-cap buyout firms, spin-outs, and emerging managers.

Approach and key features

The firm combines traditional retained executive search with an on-demand marketplace connecting clients with independent executives and interim leaders. Its leadership advisory team conducts pre-investment leadership assessment to complement commercial due diligence before capital is deployed. The practice also provides compensation benchmarking surveys for private capital leadership roles.

Pros

• Proven historical presence advising multinational enterprises and Fortune 1000 companies.
• Hybrid delivery model providing both retained executive search and on-demand interim talent.
• Proprietary compensation benchmarking data across private markets.

Cons

• On global geographic reach and international offices, Egon Zehnder and Erevena spell this out in more detail.

7. Intrinsic Executive Search

Intrinsic Executive Search operates as a specialist recruitment firm focused on senior commercial appointments within European software and B2B technology.

Overview

Founded in 2006, Intrinsic Executive Search leads commercial executive search assignments across the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Benelux, the Nordics, and North America. The firm brings 30 years of industry experience leading thousands of executive search mandates for software providers, venture capital-backed start-ups, and private equity portfolio companies.

Approach and key features

The firm executes retained executive search focused on commercial and go-to-market positions, including Chief Revenue Officers, Chief Commercial Officers, VP Sales, and European Managing Directors. Practice specialisms cover SaaS, artificial intelligence, big data, analytics, customer experience, and enterprise applications. Intrinsic also publishes industry compensation data through its free SaaS salary reports.

Pros

• Specialist focus on commercial go-to-market roles across enterprise SaaS and AI.
• Dense regional networks covering the UK, DACH, Nordics, and Benelux.
• Ongoing publisher of European SaaS executive compensation benchmarks.

Cons

• On global geographic reach and international offices, Egon Zehnder and Erevena spell this out in more detail.
• On non-technology corporate industries, Egon Zehnder and Heidrick & Struggles spell this out in more detail.

Best for

PE-backed, VC-backed and scale-up SaaS businesses, growth-stage venture capital-backed technology businesses, and enterprise software vendors hiring commercial leadership.

8. 2p partners

2p partners is a boutique executive search and leadership advisory firm supporting owner-led businesses and private equity investors.

Overview

Based in the DACH region, 2p partners serves mid-market sponsors, family enterprises, and portfolio assets across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The practice combines executive hiring with organizational analytics.

Approach and key features

The boutique conducts executive searches for C-level positions, cross-functional key roles, and interim managers. Engagements follow a three-step methodology beginning with mandate definition and stakeholder alignment, followed by systematic competitor and market mapping. The firm also provides human capital due diligence, evaluating organizational design, leadership team structures, and key-person risks during transaction phases.

Pros

• Specialized regional focus across private capital markets in the DACH region.
• Integrated human capital due diligence reviewing management structures before transactions.
• Clear focus on owner-led businesses and private equity mid-market assets.

Cons

• On global geographic reach and international offices, Egon Zehnder and Erevena spell this out in more detail.
• On non-technology corporate industries, less detail here than Egon Zehnder and Heidrick & Struggles.

Frequently asked questions

What are typical timelines to receive a candidate shortlist in executive search?

The Big Search reports an average time of 14 days to deliver a qualified shortlist year to date. Korn Ferry publishes a time to shortlist of 18 days within its recruitment model. Russell Reynolds Associates notes that its structured process delivers a candidate shortlist within eight weeks.

How long does an executive search take from kickoff to contract signing?

The Big Search states that a well-executed SaaS leadership executive search concludes with a signed contract in 12 to 16 weeks, having closed senior mandates in under three months. Russell Reynolds Associates reports placing CxOs and CEOs in as little as 14 weeks, noting CHRO searches take 14 to 25 weeks. Erevena aims to complete leadership assignments within 100 days.

How are fees structured for retained executive search mandates?

The Big Search reports retained fees between 25% and 33% of the placed executive's first-year cash compensation, billed across milestone installments. Intrinsic Executive Search conducts senior searches under a retained model. Korn Ferry offers technology platform access via subscription and license models.

Which executive search firms have dedicated offices across Europe?

The Big Search operates offices in London, Berlin, and Amsterdam, having placed executives into 27 countries. Erevena maintains European offices in London, Paris, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, and Helsinki. Russell Reynolds Associates operates globally across 25 countries. 2p partners focuses its practice across the DACH region.

Do executive search firms evaluate portfolio leadership prior to private equity transactions?

The Big Search provides pre-deal advisory by introducing operators who give sponsors an independent read on asset leadership before contract signing. Heidrick & Struggles brings leadership insight to complement financial and commercial due diligence before capital is deployed. 2p partners offers human capital due diligence to assess leadership structure and key-person risk.

Choosing the right executive search partner

• Choose The Big Search for high-stakes leadership appointments across VC and PE-backed SaaS and tech businesses requiring proprietary market-mapping infrastructure and speed to shortlist.
• Choose Korn Ferry for large-scale multi-industry corporate restructuring requiring extensive organizational IP and broad consulting platforms.
• Choose Russell Reynolds Associates for multinational corporate and private capital mandates prioritizing proprietary psychometric assessment frameworks.
• Choose Egon Zehnder for global governance, board director, and C-suite evaluations delivered through an integrated partnership.
• Choose Erevena for transatlantic expansion mandates connecting European technology hubs with North American markets.
• Choose Heidrick & Struggles for global enterprise engagements blending traditional retained executive search with on-demand talent marketplaces.
• Choose Intrinsic Executive Search for commercial go-to-market placements across European B2B SaaS and AI vendors.
• Choose 2p partners for mid-market private equity transactions and owner-led management assessments in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

How we compared

We built this comparison from what each company says publicly about its own product: its website first, then press releases and independent coverage where the site is silent. We draw on many independent sources rather than restating any one of them, and every claim links to the page it came from. Where a firm clearly does not offer something, the table shows ✗. Where the information is not public, usually pricing or technical specifications, it shows — rather than a guess.

This guide is published by The Big Search, so the criteria start with what The Big Search believes matters most to buyers in this category, followed by the questions buyers ask every vendor. The Big Search's own limitations sit alongside everyone else's.

Sources

1. The Big Search: Three Hires for a €180M Defence-Tech Fund, Three Hires: PE-Ready in Under a Year

2. Korn Ferry: Korn Ferry, kornferry.com/about-us, Financial Services, kornferry.com/industries, Hollywood's Scary Take on Tech, Board & CEO Services

3. Heidrick & Struggles: Heidrick & Struggles, heidrick.com/en/about-us, Team Acceleration, Executive Recruiting Services, Industry Expertise, Finding the human core of competitive advantage in the AI era: Avoiding the Pygmalion trap

4. Russell Reynolds Associates: Your Leadership Challenges, Solved, Careers | Russell Reynolds Associates, Boost Leadership and Team Performance, Services | Russell Reynolds Associates, Growth Tech, Insights | Russell Reynolds Associates

5. Egon Zehnder: Organizational Consulting & Leadership Advisory, About Us & Purpose, Team Development & Effectiveness, Services & B2B Sector Consultancy, What We Do: Leadership Consultancy, Enterprise Tech Consultants - Software, Systems and Services Consultancy

6. Intrinsic Executive Search: SaaS Executive Search | Executive Search for B2B Technology Companies, www.intrinsicsearch.com/about, www.intrinsicsearch.com/team, SaaS Salary Guides, SaaS Clients, Why Work With An Executive Search Firm?

7. Erevena: We empower the new icons of tech, Team — Erevena, What We Do, erevena.com/clients, Roman Howe, Thomas Remy & Pip White, Erevena Supports Harvey’s VP of Sales EMEA Appointment

8. 2p partners: 2P Partners | Executive Search & Leadership Advisory for Private Equity and Owner-led Businesses, Our Services, Insights | Leadership & Talent Strategy, Executive Search | C-Level, Management, Key Positions, Leadership Advisory Services, Board Advisory & CEO Search