What Dynamics Search Partners does

Dynamics Search Partners is a New York-based, founder-owned boutique executive search firm that has specialized for over fifteen years in placing professionals across the alternative investment industry. The firm serves private equity, venture capital, growth equity, hedge funds, public equity, credit and special situations, real estate, infrastructure, endowments, foundations, family offices, and corporate development functions, executing over 300 mandates per year across all seniority levels from pre-MBA and Analyst hires through Portfolio Manager and senior investor roles. A team of approximately twenty employees — including partners, a managing director, vice presidents, senior associates, and associates — operates the business from a single Midtown Manhattan headquarters at 515 Madison Avenue, supporting a globally distributed client base that is delivered through direct enterprise relationships with fund managers.

The firm operates as a relationship-intensive professional services business rather than a technology platform; the source material explicitly characterizes core technology as not applicable, with no proprietary product, API, SDK, or modular software offering disclosed. Competitive differentiation is built on fifteen-plus years of accumulated relationships, sector-specific expertise, the first-mover Campus Lecture Series for undergraduates (launched 2017), and brand-building partnerships with organizations such as First Generation Investors and the Synergist Network. Pricing is not publicly disclosed but, consistent with industry norms, the firm is described as operating on a retained executive search basis with percentage-based placement fees.

Dynamics Search Partners is privately held, bootstrapped, and reports no external funding rounds, parent entity, or public listing. Revenue and headcount trend data are not publicly disclosed; the only reported performance markers are operational — over 300 mandates executed annually and a 96% client retention rate. The firm's operating model centers on long-term partnerships with both clients and candidates, supported by direct enterprise sales, referral and testimonial-driven marketing, and grassroots community outreach.

Name

Dynamics Search Partners

Legal name

Dynamics Search Partners

Website

https://dspny.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dynamics Search Partners is a New York-based boutique executive search firm founded in 2008 by Keith Mann, placing professionals across all seniority levels for alternative investment clients including private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, family offices, and endowments, executing 300+ mandates per year with a team of twenty.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Search / Professional Recruiting

NAICS

Executive Search Services (561312), Employment Placement Agencies and Executive Search Services (56131)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Functional Leadership Search (HR/Finance/Legal/Marketing/Sales/Ops) (BPACAAAB)

Keywords

• Executive search
• Alternative investment recruiting
• Buy-side talent acquisition
• Private equity recruiting
• Hedge fund headhunting

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Executive Search and Recruiting Services: Retainer-based executive search services for the alternative investment industry. The firm places professionals at all levels from pre-MBA/Analyst hires through senior investor and Portfolio Manager roles. They work with clients across private equity, venture capital, growth equity, hedge funds, endowments, foundations, family offices, and credit/special situations funds.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Dynamics Search Partners is a boutique executive search firm that recruits and places investment professionals into alternative investment firms. The firm sources candidates at every level—from pre-MBA and Analyst hires through Associate, VP, Director, and Portfolio Manager roles—across private equity, venture capital, growth equity, hedge funds, credit/special situations funds, endowments, foundations, family offices, real estate, and infrastructure. Engagements are retainer-based and built around long-term client partnerships.

Product overview

Dynamics Search Partners is a specialized executive search and recruiting firm for the alternative investment industry. The company offers a single, unified service focused on talent acquisition across private equity, venture capital, growth equity, hedge funds, endowments, foundations, family offices, and real estate. Services include sourcing and placing professionals at all levels, from pre-MBA/Analyst hires through senior investor and Portfolio Manager roles, as well as investor relations and strategic functions. The firm also provides educational outreach through its Campus Lecture Series. No modular product architecture exists—the company operates as a professional services firm with recruiting and candidate relationship management as its core offering.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Retained Executive Search for Alternative Investments
• Campus Lecture Series

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% client retention rate demonstrates exceptional client satisfaction and long-term partnership success
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• First Generation Investors (FGI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSP partners with First Generation Investors, an organization that empowers high school students from predominantly Title 1 and charter schools with knowledge and skills to build wealth through long-term investing. FGI provides financial literacy education, connects students with industry professionals, and provides real money for students to invest. DSP shares FGI's commitment to fostering financial education and creating a more equitable and inclusive investment landscape.
• Project PinstripeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSP supports Project Pinstripe, an organization that provides valuable resources to young adults embarking on their careers. By offering professional attire and guidance on workplace conduct, Project Pinstripe helps individuals develop confidence needed to succeed in the professional world. DSP believes in breaking down barriers and empowering young adults from all backgrounds.
• Synergist NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSP partners with Synergist Network, a national organization dedicated to empowering women in the investment industry. DSP actively participates in their initiatives, including panel discussions where team members share career advice and insights with women navigating the alternative investment landscape. DSP supports fostering diversity and the next generation of female investment professionals.
• Uncommon SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSP is a proud partner of Uncommon Schools, a non-profit charter management organization. DSP supports their mission to provide high-quality education to students in underserved communities, preparing them for success in college and beyond.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Spencer Stuart: Global executive search incumbent with a dedicated financial services practice covering PE, hedge funds, and asset management. Comparable as a senior leadership search provider to alternative investment firms, though operating at much larger scale and broader sector coverage than DSP.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Large global executive search firm with a strong Financial Services practice serving PE, hedge funds, and asset managers. Overlaps with DSP on C-suite and senior investment professional placements across alternative investments, with significantly broader geographic reach.
• Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm with a substantial executive search and financial services practice. Competes with DSP for senior investment leadership roles and offers broader talent/RPO services that some alt-investment clients use as a substitute.
• Robert Half: Large staffing and talent solutions firm with a financial services recruiting arm. Overlaps with DSP at junior and mid-level investment operations/support roles, though at much broader scale and lower specialization.
• Egon Zehnder: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with a financial services practice. Competes with DSP for senior alt-investment leadership mandates and brings broader advisory capabilities that can substitute for pure search engagements.

Direct peers

• Odyssey Search Partners: Boutique executive search firm focused exclusively on the alternative investment industry (hedge funds, private equity, credit). Directly comparable to DSP in target market, business model, and service offering.
• Glocap Search: NYC-based boutique executive search firm specializing in alternative investments including hedge funds, private equity, and family offices. Highly comparable to DSP in client base, service scope, and boutique positioning.
• True Search: Executive search firm with deep alternative investment and private equity practice, placing investment professionals and operating leaders across PE/VC/hedge funds. Directly comparable to DSP's buyer-side focus and boutique delivery model.
• JM Search: Executive search firm with a dedicated private equity and financial services practice placing senior leaders across PE portfolio companies and asset managers. Comparable to DSP in serving alternative investment clients with senior-level search mandates.
• Polachi: Executive search firm with a strong technology, private equity, and venture capital practice. Comparable to DSP in serving VC/PE clients, though with greater emphasis on portfolio company operating roles rather than fund-side investment professionals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Dynamics Search Partners