What Amity Search Partners does

Amity Search Partners is a New York-based, privately held executive search firm founded in 2009 by Pamela Hickory Esterson and Susanna Nichols. The firm specializes exclusively in placing investment professionals into private equity firms, hedge funds, family offices, growth equity and venture capital firms, credit shops, real estate investors, and other alternative asset managers. It operates from five U.S. offices — New York (headquarters), San Mateo, Austin, Palm Beach, and Chicago — and claims a global candidate footprint. There is no proprietary technology platform; the deliverable is relationship-driven, consultative executive search delivered by named partners and managing directors with prior buyside and corporate-development backgrounds.

The firm monetizes through standard executive-search fee arrangements — retained or contingency-based, typically a percentage of placed-candidate first-year compensation — billed under multi-year, custom engagement contracts. Its go-to-market is direct enterprise sales: partners consult with hiring managers, managing directors, and COOs at investment management firms to scope mandates and run customized searches emphasizing cultural fit alongside technical skill. Supporting marketing is limited to a quarterly Hirewire newsletter, website content, campus engagement, and recurring sponsorships of SEO AICON, Kayo, WAVE, and Synergist events. The firm has been recognized by Business Insider as a top PE/hedge fund recruiting firm and has placed "thousands" of professionals over its 15-year history, with multiple client relationships spanning 10+ years.

Name

Amity Search Partners

Legal name

Amity Search Partners

Website

https://amitysearchpartners.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Amity Search Partners is a New York-based executive search firm founded in 2009, placing investment professionals into private equity, hedge fund, family office, and alternative asset management firms across five U.S. offices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Search & Recruiting Services

NAICS

Executive Search Services (561312)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Financial Services Leadership Search (Banking/Insurance/PE/Asset Mgmt) (BPACAAAF)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• Private equity recruiting
• Hedge fund recruiting
• Investment management talent
• Asset management recruiting

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Executive Search/Recruiting Services: Contingency-based or retained search fees for placing professionals into investment management firms including private equity, hedge funds, family offices, and asset managers. Services include senior-level mandates and pre-MBA searches across various sectors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Amity Search Partners is a premier executive search firm providing global recruitment services exclusively for investment management firms. The firm executes senior-level mandates and pre-MBA searches across private equity, growth equity, venture capital, family offices, hedge funds, credit, capital markets, real estate, investor relations, and portfolio company/corporate roles, using a customized, consultant-led approach that emphasizes experience and cultural fit.

Product overview

Amity Search Partners operates as a single, unified executive recruiting service rather than a platform with modular components. Their core offering is personalized executive search and placement for investment management firms, delivered through direct consultant engagement. Supporting this core service, they produce the Hirewire Newsletter—a content resource providing career guidance to candidates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Executive Search & Recruiting Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Thousands of professionals placed into top asset managers and high-growth companies
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Access DistributedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccess Distributed expands access to careers in finance for undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds via a comprehensive year-long fellowship. Amity is proud to serve as a mentor for access distributed fellows.
• Hope for the WarriorsminorOthersThe Hope for the Warriors Spartan Race is an event to benefit Hope For The Warriors, a national nonprofit that provides resources and services to veterans and military families. Amity has proudly volunteered at this event since its inception.
• Kayo Conference SeriescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Kayo Conference Series brings together women investors to network and communicate about deal flow, capital, industry insights, and career issues through annual events. Amity has served as a sponsor for the Kayo conferences series across the country.
• Max Esterson RacingminorOthersAmity is proud to support Max Esterson, one of the most promising American talents in the prestigious FIA Formula 2 Championship - the gateway to Formula One. Max is a rising star in motorsport.
• Pan-Mass ChallengeminorOthersThe Pan-Mass Challenge is a Massachusetts-based bike-a-thon that raises money for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Since 1980, the PMC has raised $972 million for Dana-Farber. Amity is an active participant and contributor to this meaningful cause.
• SEO (Sponsors on Campus)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEO's mission is to create a more equitable society by closing the academic and career opportunity gap for motivated young people from underserved communities. Each year, SEO programs serve more than 6,000 young people across America. Amity is proud to be an annual sponsor and panelist at SEO's Alternative Investments Conference (AICON).
• Synergist NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSynergist Network is a national network of women in investing. Synergist seeks to connect women in the first decade of their investing careers. Amity has collaborated on educational and networking events with Synergist chapters across the country.
• TEAK FellowshipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTEAK is a free program that helps talented low-income students achieve their potential. Through intensive after-school and summer classes, TEAK prepares middle schoolers for top high schools and colleges, providing support to ensure they thrive and succeed in their careers.
• Wall Street PrepminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWall Street Prep prepares students and professionals for the demands of investment banking and corporate finance via various online courses and instructor-led bootcamps. Amity is actively involved in events hosted by Wall Street Prep.
• Women's Association of Venture and Equity (WAVE)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerWomen's Association of Venture and Equity (WAVE) is a nonprofit organization committed to the development and advancement of women at all stages of their career in the alternative investments industry. WAVE achieves this mission through developmental events, networking opportunities, and strategic partnerships. Amity actively participates in WAVE's events, fully embracing its mission.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• JM Search: Executive search firm with deep financial services and private equity practice; Natalie Horbowy (Amity Associate) previously worked in JM's Healthcare & Life Sciences practice, evidencing active lateral movement between the two firms.
• Odyssey Search Partners: Specialist executive search boutique focused on private equity, growth equity, and hedge fund talent. Directly comparable segment specialization and boutique delivery model.
• Glocap Search: Boutique New York-based executive search firm specializing exclusively in alternative investments (PE, hedge funds, private credit, family offices). Most direct competitor to Amity on segment, customer base, and delivery model.
• ZRG Partners: Global executive search firm with a strong financial services and alternative investments practice; Amity Partner Justin Pinchback previously served as Managing Director and Chief Revenue Officer at ZRG, making it a direct competitor for talent and clients.
• Options Group: Talent acquisition firm focused on financial services and alternative investments, with practices spanning PE, hedge funds, and asset management. Comparable segment focus and mid-market delivery model.
• True Search: Executive search firm with a dedicated private equity and venture capital practice, focused on placing investment professionals and operating executives. Directly comparable boutique segment focus with overlapping customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Spencer Stuart: Large global executive search firm with a Financial Services Practice covering asset management and PE. Competes with Amity for senior alt-investment mandates but offers a much broader sector footprint.
• Egon Zehnder: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with a Financial Services practice spanning PE, asset management, and alternatives. Competes with Amity for senior-level alts mandates as part of a wider executive search portfolio.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm with a dedicated Financial Services practice covering asset and wealth management, PE, and hedge funds. Overlaps at the senior end of Amity's market with broader geographic and functional coverage.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search incumbent with a large Financial Services practice serving PE, hedge funds, and asset managers. Overlaps with Amity at senior PE mandates but competes as a broader portfolio firm, not a specialist.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Amity Search Partners