Hawthorne Executive Search

What Hawthorne Executive Search does

Hawthorne Executive Search is a privately held, boutique executive search firm founded in 2002 by Robert Hawthorne and headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina (with operational presence in Vero Beach, Florida). The firm specializes in placing senior leadership across three vertical practice areas — SaaS, Software and Data; AdTech, MarTech and Digital Media; and eCommerce — serving clients from growth-stage startups to Fortune 500 enterprises, including a multi-decade relationship with the world's largest eCommerce company. Its core methodology is 'information-based recruiting,' which combines proprietary database sourcing, dedicated per-engagement researchers, and intensive industry immersion through trade publications, conferences, and association participation, leading to an assessment process that produces roughly four final-candidate interviews per hire versus an industry average of eleven.

The firm operates on three engagement models — retained search, engaged search, and contingency search — with retained engagements representing the primary value driver (reported 90% success rate). Pricing is bespoke and developed per engagement based on scope and complexity; the firm is privately held with no external funding or institutional ownership disclosed. Marketing and business development rely on industry reputation, referral relationships, conference speaking, and participation in industry associations rather than paid advertising. The team is small and founder-led, with approximately nine to ten professionals including practice leaders, recruiters, and researchers.

The product portfolio centers on executive search services, complemented by an add-on Resume Writing and career-coffering offering and a Crelate-powered Job Board portal for active candidate sourcing. No technology product, software platform, or AI capability is disclosed. Distribution is exclusively direct: engagements are sourced through industry reputation, referral networks, and direct client outreach at the national level, with international search capability referenced in case material. Customer evidence includes senior placements for major broadcasters (hiring nearly 20 digital/OTT sellers), ad networks, European MarTech firms, FinTech and banking-software clients, and unnamed medical software and SaaS companies.

Name

Hawthorne Executive Search

Legal name

Hawthorne Search

Website

https://hawthornesearch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hawthorne Executive Search is a privately held boutique executive search firm founded in 2002 that places senior leaders across SaaS/Software & Data, AdTech/Martech/Digital Media, and eCommerce verticals for clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 enterprises.

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-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technology & Product Leadership Search (CIO/CTO/CDO/CPO) (BPACAAAC), Consumer & Retail Leadership Search (BPACAAAG)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• Executive recruiting
• Leadership talent placement
• C-suite recruiting
• Professional search firm

Headquarters

HQ city

Wilmington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Executive Search Services: Hawthorne Executive Search generates revenue through multiple engagement models: Retained Search (exclusive, committed engagement), Engaged Search (hybrid approach), and Contingency Search (performance-based). The firm develops pricing proposals based on client needs and search complexity. Success rates mentioned: 90% on retained searches and 80% on exclusive contingency searches.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hawthorne Executive Search is a boutique executive search firm that places senior-level leaders (C-suite, VP, director) for companies in SaaS, Software & Data, AdTech, MarTech, Digital Media, and eCommerce verticals. The firm offers three engagement models—retained search, engaged search, and contingency search—delivered through an "information-based recruiting" methodology combining a proprietary database, dedicated researchers, and industry immersion via trade publications, conferences, and professional networks.

Product overview

Hawthorne Executive Search operates as a unified executive search platform offering retained, engaged, and contingency search services across three specialized practice areas: SaaS/Software & Data, AdTech/MarTech & Digital Media, and eCommerce. The core offering is the Information-Based Recruiting Process—a four-step methodology combining profile development, network-driven candidate sourcing through proprietary databases, interview coordination, and post-placement support. Additional services include Resume Writing (with LinkedIn optimization and career coaching) and a Job Board portal. The practice areas function as integrated sub-brands sharing the same recruiting methodology and process infrastructure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Executive Search Services End-to-end executive search engagements offered under three flexible models—Retained Search (exclusive, committed engagement), Engaged Search (hybrid approach), and Contingency Search (performance-based)—used by companies to fill senior leadership, C-suite, VP, and director roles across technology, digital media, and eCommerce industries.
• SaaS, Software & Data Recruiting Specialized executive search practice focused on placing C-suite, sales, customer success, and product development leaders for SaaS, data, and FinTech companies, including pre-IPO firms. Targets roles from individual contributor through executive-level talent with national and international recruiting reach.
• AdTech, MarTech & Digital Media Recruiting Executive search practice for publishers, broadcasters, advertising companies, data exchanges, programmatic platforms, and ad networks, sourcing leaders for digital transformation, ad network leadership, and publisher digital expansion roles.
• eCommerce Recruiting Executive search for omnichannel retail professionals across mobile, UI, warehouse, supply chain, EDI, digital marketing, online transaction processing, site merchandising, marketing, and creative functions, with access to passive talent from the largest retailers.
• Resume Writing Services Career services for individual professionals including customized resume writing, LinkedIn profile optimization, interview coaching, and job search strategy guidance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Clients typically interview 4 candidates before hire (industry average is 11)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Egon Zehnder: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with technology and digital practices — competes for the same enterprise executive mandates as Hawthorne, with deeper international footprint.
• Spencer Stuart: Global executive search firm with a Technology, Media & Entertainment practice — competes with Hawthorne for board and senior technology leadership engagements across SaaS and digital media.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search leader with a dedicated Technology, Media, and Telecommunications practice — competes with Hawthorne for the same C-suite and senior leadership mandates but at vastly larger scale.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm with technology and consumer practices — competes for senior SaaS, eCommerce, and digital media leadership roles and is a recognized scale competitor in retained search.
• Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm with a major executive search practice serving technology, consumer/retail, and digital media clients — overlapping with Hawthorne's vertical mix but offering broader talent and consulting services.
• Odgers Berndtson: Global executive search firm with a dedicated US technology practice and strong consumer/digital media presence — directly competes with Hawthorne for senior SaaS and eCommerce leadership roles.

Direct peers

• Riviera Partners: Boutique executive search firm specializing in technology, digital media, and eCommerce leadership placements — directly comparable to Hawthorne in vertical focus, engagement model, and target customer profile.
• JM Search: Specialized executive search firm focused on technology, SaaS, and private equity-backed growth companies — directly comparable to Hawthorne's SaaS/Software & Data practice and pre-IPO client segment.
• Crist|Kolder Associates: Boutique executive search firm focused on C-suite and board placements in technology and consumer industries — comparable scale and boutique positioning to Hawthorne.

Emerging players

• Glocap Search: Specialized executive search firm with technology and growth-stage company practices — narrower scope than Hawthorne but comparable in serving SaaS and digital media leadership mandates.

Market position

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Hawthorne-Executive-Search-157388664324824
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hawthorne-executive-search
• Xx.com/HawthorneExec

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Hawthorne Executive Search