Major Executive Search

What Major Executive Search does

Major Executive Search is a privately held, woman-owned retained executive search firm founded in 2005 (originally as DavenportMajor Executive Search) and headquartered in Rancho Santa Fe/San Diego, California. The firm specializes exclusively in senior executive and board director placements for technology companies, spanning verticals that include AI, 5G/wireless, telecommunications, broadband, cloud computing, big data/analytics, digital services, manufacturing, IoT, IP licensing, enterprise software, network services, satellite, semiconductors, and SaaS/PaaS. Its two core product lines are Executive Search Services (C-suite, VP, and senior leadership placements) and Board Director Search (with an explicit diversity-placement focus), and it has placed executives and directors at public companies and pre-IPO technology firms including Viasat, Motorola Solutions, Qualcomm, Kymeta, pSemi, Velodyne Lidar, WiTricity, U.S. Cellular, Littelfuse, Adeia, Inseego, Airgain, Turtle Beach, InterDigital, ecoATM, Kratos Defense, SLING TV, TPx Communications, Sivers Semiconductors, Bluetooth SIG, CSG, EnerSys, NuCurrent, and ARRIS.

The firm operates on a retained professional services revenue model, charging quote-based retainer fees for dedicated search assignments; pricing is not publicly disclosed and varies by engagement scope. Its go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven: partners engage directly with technology company boards and leadership on a consultative basis, leveraging deep personal networks built through prior careers at Slayton International, A.T. Kearney, Spencer Stuart, Korn Ferry, DHR, KPMG, Booz, and Motorola/Ameritech. US operations span three offices (San Diego, Chicago, New York); international coverage is delivered through affiliate partnerships with Thorp & Partners (London), You&Partners (Seoul), and Executive Talent International (Singapore), supplemented by domestic affiliate partners in Chicago and Los Angeles and memberships in the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) and the Partners Search Alliance (PSA).

The company is led by Founder & CEO Sue Major, who holds two wireless-messaging patents from her Motorola tenure and has served two terms on the AESC Council of the Americas Board; partners include Teresa Jacques, Patty Meagher Clare, John Rivoir, and Michelle Smead. The firm has been recognized by Forbes on its "America's Best Executive Search Firms" lists in 2017, 2018, and 2022, and is explicitly branded as a woman-owned global retained search firm. It has no disclosed parent company, institutional investors, funding rounds, or M&A activity, and revenue is not publicly reported.

Name

Major Executive Search

Legal name

Major Executive Search

Website

https://majorexecutivesearch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Major Executive Search is a privately held, woman-owned retained executive search firm that places C-suite executives and board directors at technology companies across wireless, telecom, semiconductors, software, and AI verticals in the US, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Search Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Technology & Product Leadership Search (CIO/CTO/CDO/CPO) (BPACAAAC)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• Retained executive search
• Board director placement
• Technology executive recruiting
• Senior executive search

Headquarters

HQ city

Rancho Santa Fe

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Retained Executive Search Services: The firm operates on a retained search model, charging clients a retainer fee for conducting comprehensive executive and board director searches. This is a professional services revenue model where clients engage the firm for dedicated search assignments, typically for senior-level placements including C-suite executives and board directors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Major Executive Search is a retained executive search firm that places senior executives (C-suite, VP) and board directors at technology companies. The firm operates on a retained model, engaging closely with clients to identify and recruit specialized technology leadership talent across verticals such as AI, 5G/wireless, telecom, semiconductors, cloud, IoT, IP licensing, and enterprise software.

Product overview

Major Executive Search is a retained executive search firm offering two core services: Executive Search Services for senior-level technology executive placements (C-suite, VP, and other senior leadership roles) and Board Director Search for placing qualified directors on technology company boards. The firm specializes in technology sectors including AI, 5G/wireless, telecommunications, semiconductors, cloud computing, and enterprise software.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Executive Search Services
• Board Director Search

Quantifiable outcome

• Forbes recognition as America's Best Recruiting and Temporary Staffing Firms 2022
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers24 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AESC (Association of Executive Search Consultants)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Executive Search is a recognized member of AESC, the official body representing retained executive search consulting firms worldwide. The association sets professional standards and provides a Code of Ethics. Sue Major served two terms on the AESC Council of Americas Board.
• Partners Search Alliance (PSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Executive Search is a proud member of PSA, an affiliation of retained boutique search firm CEOs who collaborate closely. The alliance enables clients to access high-caliber search providers outside of member firms' specialties or geographies.
• Executive Talent International (ETI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSingapore-based regional executive search firm founded by Chye Lian Lim, MD. ETI collaborates with world-class business leaders to place CEOs, Board Directors, and senior functional executives across diverse sectors including Industrial & Manufacturing, Life Sciences, Technology & Media, Energy & Resources, Consumer, and Financial Services. Operates as Major Executive Search's Asia Pacific affiliate partner.
• Thorp & PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLondon-based executive search firm founded by Malcolm Thorp in 2010. Specializes in technology and outsourced services executive recruitment. Operates as Major Executive Search's Europe affiliate partner.
• You&Partners Executive SearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeoul, Korea-based executive search firm founded by Susie Yoo in 2003. Provides Executive Search, Career Consulting, Reference Checks, Interim Services, and Global Talent Search. Operates as Major Executive Search's Korea affiliate partner.
• Charles Sweet (Affiliate - Chicago)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate partner based in Chicago, IL at 950 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 4202. Extends Major Executive Search's reach in the Midwest region.
• Jack Groban (Affiliate - Los Angeles)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate partner based in Los Angeles, CA at 445 S Figueroa Street, Suite 2600. Extends Major Executive Search's reach in the Southern California region.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Stanton Chase: Global retained executive search firm operating across similar boutique-to-mid-tier scale with multiple offices worldwide. Comparable in business model, retainer-based engagements, and focus on senior executive and board placements.
• DHR International: Global executive search firm where Michelle Smead held prior executive roles. Operates retainer-based senior executive and board search engagements with similar client base in technology and adjacent sectors.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global retained executive search firm with leadership in technology, board, and CEO practice areas. Directly competes for senior executive and board director mandates at the same technology client profiles that anchor Major Executive Search's book.
• Korn Ferry: Largest global organizational consulting firm with substantial executive search practice serving technology and Fortune 500 clients. Michelle Smead, Major Executive Search Partner, is a former EVP at Korn Ferry/Patina Solutions, establishing direct comparability in client base and service model.
• Egon Zehnder: Privately-held global executive search and leadership advisory firm with strong technology and board practices. Competes head-to-head for C-suite and board mandates at the technology companies Major Executive Search serves.
• Spencer Stuart: Global retained executive search leader with deep technology practice and strong board placement franchise. Patty Meagher Clare, Major Executive Search's Chicago Partner, founded the wireless telecommunications practice at Spencer Stuart, making it a directly comparable peer in both offering and client base.
• Odgers Berndtson: Global retained executive search firm with strong international footprint, particularly in Europe and emerging markets. Comparable retainer-based service model competing for similar senior technology executive mandates globally.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global retained executive search firm with established technology and board practices. Competes directly for senior executive and board director searches at technology clients with comparable retainer-based engagement model.

Emerging players

• Riviera Partners: Technology-focused retained executive search firm specializing in software, AI, and digital sectors. Smaller scale and more concentrated technology focus than Major Executive Search, but directly comparable in client overlap and senior-level mandate work.
• WittKieffer: Specialized retained executive search firm with strong board and C-suite practice serving technology, healthcare, and other complex sectors. Comparable in boutique scale, retainer model, and board-level mandate focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

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 Major Executive Search