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We know 500 + private equity MDs that have an average of 10 + successful exits
Private equity firms and their portfolio companies need leaders who can move the business towards its goals on a tight timeline. Every private equity leadership hire must explicitly support the value creation plan (whether the priority is growth, stronger operations, or an eventual exit) and help the business reach its next milestone.
Whether the goal is growing revenue, improving operations, upgrading technology, building an AI strategy, or preparing for an exit, Christian & Timbers’ private equity executive search firm finds leaders for private equity firms and the companies they back. Christian & Timbers private equity executive search work covers fund-level positions as well as portfolio company CEOs, board directors, and functional executives. .
We know 500 + private equity MDs that have an average of 10 + successful exits
Named to Forbes Midas List
EY Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist
Private equity firms face two distinct hiring needs:
Christian & Timbers recruits leaders for private equity firms and their portfolio companies. From investment and operating partners to board members and C-suite executives. The private equity executive search firm also covers technology, AI, finance, operations, product, sales, marketing, and HR.
Christian & Timbers’ experience in technology and AI gives private equity sponsors an extra advantage when a portfolio company's growth plan depends on digital transformation, technical leadership, or new product development.
Across all sectors, roles, and industries, Christian and Timbers keep the private equity firm’s goals top of mind when determining the most needed role and finding the best candidates.
Christian and Timbers has placed more than 100 investment portfolio managers and has relationships with over 500 private equity managing directors.
General Partner (GP)
Managing Partner (MP)
Analyst
Managing Director
Operating Partner
Board Partner
Investor Relations
CEOs
CFOs
Technology leaders
CTOs
AI leaders
COOs
CROs
Fund leadership and portfolio company leadership require very different experience.
A private equity firm managing director may need to source investments, lead deals, work with limited partners, and collaborate with company leaders. A portfolio company executive must deliver results inside an operating business, while also working with the sponsor, board, and management team.
Christian & Timbers understands both sides of the investment. Christian & Timbers shapes the executive search candidate profile around the role, the strategy, and the desired outcomes of the private equity firm.
Technology now shapes how value is created across industries. Portfolio companies need leaders who can modernize systems, improve products, use AI effectively, strengthen cybersecurity, and build scalable teams.
Christian & Timbers’ private equity executive search firm has completed more than 5,000 C-suite and board assignments across technology and other high-growth sectors. The PE executive search firm recruits executives who connect technical decisions with revenue, efficiency, market position, and enterprise value.
A private equity executive search starts with the work that’s coming ahead. For example, the company may need to enter a new market, improve margins, build a repeatable sales engine, integrate an acquisition, strengthen financial controls, or prepare for a sale.
Christian & Timbers translates those priorities into a candidate profile that will be the most successful and deliver the best results. Then Christian & Timbers finds and evaluates candidates based on relevant results, leadership approach, company-stage experience, and their ability to work with investors and boards. This keeps the private equity executive search focused on business impact rather than a generic list of qualifications.
These examples show how Christian & Timbers has helped private equity investors strengthen leadership across portfolio companies. The outcomes reflect the work of each company's full team. They also show the role the executive placements played in supporting growth, performance, and exit goals.
Christian & Timbers recruited both a CEO and an operating partner for a private equity client. According to the firm's partner and chief operating officer, the leaders strengthened the organization and positioned a portfolio company for long-term success. The engagement shows how a coordinated search can address leadership needs at both the sponsor and company levels.
Read the private equity client testimonial.
Christian & Timbers recruited go-to-market leaders, product and engineering executives, and board members for investor-backed companies, including SecurityScorecard. The work included a GTM president, CMO, SVP of Sales, chief product officer, and SVP of Engineering. The investment partner reported that the hires helped drive 2X growth across the portfolio work.
One of those searches also brought an experienced enterprise software executive to the SecurityScorecard board. The appointment supported the company during a period that included triple-digit growth in its MAX offering and 160% year-over-year channel ARR growth. Read the SecurityScorecard case study.
Christian & Timbers led the chief revenue officer executive search and chief marketin officer executive search at a Bessemer portfolio company. Bessemer Operating Partner Andy Geisse said the disciplined PE executive search process brought in leaders who knew how to scale and drive performance. He also reported that the hires helped the company achieve a critical exit.
Read the Bessemer client testimonial.
Each private equity executive search starts with the PE firm’s current goals for the company and any upcoming business needs. For example, a newly acquired company may need a leader who can strengthen operations. A growing company may need a revenue or technology leader who can help it scale. And a company preparing for a sale may need an executive with experience navigating transactions.
First, our team meets with the sponsor, board, and company leaders to define the executive role and outline the results the new leader must deliver. For a portfolio company search, we connect the candidate profile to the value creation plan, ownership period, company stage, and working relationship with the sponsor. For a fund-level role, we focus on the investment strategy, team structure, and responsibilities of the position.
Next, Christian & Timbers researches and maps the relevant talent market and approaches qualified candidates. Christian & Timbers assess each person's record, leadership style, decision-making, and experience in comparable situations. The PE executive search team also examines how the candidate works with boards, investors, and executive teams.
The result is a focused private equity executive search built around the investment's most important leadership need. Whether the goal is growth, transformation, operational improvement, or a successful exit, Christian & Timbers finds leaders prepared for the work ahead.
Yes. Christian & Timbers has a PE executive recruitment firm that recruits fund-level leaders, including managing partners, managing directors, and operating partners. The firm also performs board member executive search and C-suite executive search for PE-backed portfolio companies.
Private equity leadership hires must align with the investment thesis, value creation plan, and ownership timeline. Executive candidates also need the skills to work effectively with the sponsor, board, and company leadership team. Christian & Timbers evaluates PE executives against those specific company needs.
Christian & Timbers recruits all senior-level and executive roles, including CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CTOs, CIOs, CISOs, chief AI officers, CROs, CMOs, chief product officers, human resources leaders, and board members. The PE search team also recruits senior leaders across engineering, sales, marketing, finance executive search, and operations.
Yes. Technology executive search and AI leadership are core areas of Christian & Timbers' executive search work. The team recruits leaders who can connect technology strategy with product development, operational improvement, revenue growth, and enterprise value.
Yes. Christian & Timbers supports leadership searches after an acquisition, during a growth or transformation period, and as a company prepares for an exit. The executive search criteria change with the company's stage and the outcomes the new leader needs to deliver.
Tell us about the investment, the role, and what the leader needs to accomplish. Contact Christian & Timbers to discuss your private equity executive search.
