Finding the right technology executive leader is harder than it's ever been. High-impact leaders are in high demand. And, the stakes for not finding the right leaders are also extremely high.
Christian & Timbers is the top tech executive search firm built specifically for companies that are competing in AI, software, and deep tech. These are sectors where the wrong hire costs time, market position, and profitability.
Why is Christian & Timbers the top tech executive search firm?
Unlike traditional retained search firms, Christian & Timbers is not slowed down by the restrictive “hands-off” client lists. “Hands-off” client lists limit which candidates the largest firms are allowed to approach.
That means Christian & Timbers has full visibility into the technology talent market, including the portion of candidates their larger competitors are not permitted to touch.
So when you hire Christian & Timbers as your tech executive search firm, you get the high-touch service of a boutique recruiting firm, an expanded candidate pool, and the research capabilities and market intelligence of a global search firm.
The results: over 5,000 C-suite searches completed, more than 700 CEO placements, and a technology leadership bench that includes hires tied to Broadcom, Apple, Twilio, CrowdStrike, and Splunk.
Christian & Timbers is a tech executive search firm built around finding leaders who actually perform once they're hired.
Top Tech Executive Search Firm with a Methodology Built for Technology Leadership
Most executive search firms run the same process regardless of industry. Christian & Timbers built its tech executive search firm methodology specifically around how technology and AI talent markets actually move.
No Hands-Off Restrictions
Large search firms accumulate “off-limits” client lists over decades. This quietly shrinks the pool of executives they're allowed to recruit from, causing companies to miss opportunities for right-fit talent. Christian & Timbers operates without those restrictions, giving clients access to candidates that other executive search companies cannot reach.
A Dedicated Research Function
Every tech executive search is backed by a full-time research capability that continuously maps leadership across your competitors and similar sectors. This is not a generalist recruiter working from a resume database; it’s a full-time researcher. The result is a full scope and view of who the real candidate contenders are before a tech executive search even begins.
Searches Don't Start Cold
Christian & Timbers, the top tech executive search firm, takes on a search only once it already has visibility into roughly 90% of the top candidates in that market. This keeps the average tech executive search timeline tight without sacrificing candidate quality and helps with our record-breaking results.
Christian & Timbers’ tech executive search strategy is informed by an industry-leading candidate database combined with AI-driven market intelligence, paired with human assessment of leadership fit, culture alignment, and long-term retention risk.
Christian & Timbers’ Top Tech Executive Search Process
A typical technology executive search at Christian & Timbers moves through 8 stages over roughly 8–9+ weeks:
1. OnPoint Scorecarding (Week 1). Define the role, culture fit, and business objectives with key stakeholders. Build the search scorecard.
2. Search Brief & Cadence (Week 1–2). Document responsibilities, compensation benchmarks, and search strategy. Set a weekly reporting cadence.
3. Market Research & Mapping (Week 2–3). Map the full candidate ecosystem across active and passive leaders.
4. Longlist Interviews & Presentation (Week 3–4). Present a detailed longlist with candidate scorecards.
5. Shortlist Interviews & Refinement (Week 4–7). Parallel interviews between client and candidates, with continuous refinement based on feedback.
6. Offer Structuring & Negotiation (Week 8). Prepare compensation data, references, and final assessments for finalists.
7. Finalist Decision & Close (Week 8–9). Manage the final offer process to secure acceptance.
8. Onboarding & Transition Support (Week 9+). Support the executive through the critical first stretch in the new role.
Tech Executive Search Results That Hold Up Past the Hire
[Table 6]
Retention is arguably the number that matters the most. Because a fast placement that doesn't last is not a win. The two-year retention rate reflects Christian & Timber’s process that’s built around long-term leadership fit, not just filling a seat quickly.
A Track Record Measured in Decades
- 40+ years of tech executive search experience, operating since 1980
- 750+ talent-engineered leadership teams built
- Early-stage leadership placements at Amazon, Google, Apple, and Adobe
These numbers reflect a firm that's followed the tech industry since its beginning and knows what leadership actually needs to look like at each stage of a company's growth.
Precise Results with Tech Executive Search Firm
Tech executive search firm averages tell part of the story. And individual engagements tell the rest. Here’s a sample of recent tech placements and their outcomes:
- Broadcom - Tripled revenue and achieved a $37B acquisition through a strategic CEO hire
- F5 - Grew revenue to $2.1B and operating cash flow to $740M in 16 months after a CEO reappointment
- Absolute Security - Accelerated annual revenue to $750M and reduced control failure rates by 65% with a strategic CFO hire
- Acronis - Grew protected workloads by 188% and prevented 7.5M cyberattacks in 12 months with a CISO hire
- SiTime - Grew revenue 61% to $327M and launched its first software platform with strategic CDO leadership
- Socure - Doubled verification volume and achieved 54% revenue growth in 12 months with a new CTO hire
- Forge Global -Scaled to $15.6B in assets and 13% revenue growth with a strategic board appointment
- Ursa Major - Secured $163M in funding and delivered dozens of engines in 12 months with a CFO hire
Technology Sectors We Cover
Tech executive search firm Christian & Timbers recruits C-suite, Board, and VP-level leaders across the sectors driving the current technology cycle. Sectors include Artificial Intelligence and AI infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Data Infrastructure, Developer Tooling, Fintech, Semiconductors, Robotics, and Aerospace & Defense. Within these sectors, Christian & Timbers hires for core functions including C-Suite, Board, Product & Technology, Finance, and Sales & Marketing leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Christian & Timbers the top tech executive search firm?
A combination of unrestricted candidate access, a dedicated full-time research function, and a selective engagement model. The tech executive search firm only opens a search once it already has visibility into most of the global candidate talent pool. That results in a 72-day average search time and 97% two-year retention.
What roles does Christian & Timbers place?
C-suite, board, and VP-level technology leadership, including CEO, CTO, CISO, CFO, CRO, and CPO roles. All tech executive roles across AI, cybersecurity, fintech, semiconductors, robotics, and aerospace & defense.
How long does a technology executive search take?
The tech executive search firm's average completed search takes about 72 days, but timelines vary by role seniority and market.
How is this different from working with a large global executive search firm?
The largest executive search firms accumulate “off-limits” client relationships over time. This restricts which tech executives they're permitted to approach on any given search. Christian & Timbers is not bound by those restrictions. So you get all the benefits of a global top tech executive search firm without the restrictions.
Ready to find your next technology leader?
