Director / Partner - Executive Search

Also searchable as: Client Partner - Executive Search · Principal - Executive Search · Managing Director - Executive Search

Original title: Director / Partner - Executive Search

WhyBrilliant is sourcing applicants for this role on behalf of an established international executive search boutique for investor-backed businesses.

The company's identity may stay confidential until first contact.

Atlas, our AI Recruiter, is running this search and will pick the best candidates from Nova's network. The next step is to speak to Nova.

The Role

Job Title: Director / Partner - Executive Search

Location: Hamburg

Why this role matters

For nearly three decades, we have been the trusted leadership advisory partner to top investors and boardrooms across global growth and transformation cycles. With demand surging across the German tech and investment ecosystem, this role expands our local senior leadership footprint to capture market share and lead high-stakes executive mandates.

What you'll do

Full commercial and advisory ownership across Board, C-level, and functional executive search mandates within the DACH region.

• Originate and lead high-impact C-suite and Board search assignments for PE, VC, and high-growth tech clients.
• Advise investors, founders, and supervisory boards as a trusted, peer-level leadership strategist.
• Build and scale a dedicated functional or sector practice (e.g., GTM, Finance, Product, Data & Tech, or CEO Succession).
• Lead interdisciplinary delivery teams, guiding dedicated research, associates, and project coordination.
• Drive multi-solution client engagements by cross-selling across our integrated platforms, including mid-level search, interim management, and leadership assessment.
• Collaborate across international offices to run seamless cross-border pitches and cross-practice mandates.

Who this is a fit for

• Proven executive search track record successfully closing C-level and Board-level mandates.
• Established network among top PE/VC investors, founders, and C-suite leaders in Germany.
• Demonstrated origination power and business development capabilities in the DACH market.
• Experienced leader capable of steering and developing dedicated research and associate teams.
• Fluent in German and English with deep domain insight in tech, software, or growth sectors.
• High-intensity, collaborative operator who thrives in a cross-border, partnership-driven culture.

What it's like to work here

High-Intensity- und leistungsorientiertes Umfeld mit echtem Teamgeist, wo gemeinsame Erfolge und Spaß an der Arbeit im Vordergrund stehen. Hohe Hands-on-Mentalität, kontinuierliches Lernen und partnerschaftliche Zusammenarbeit über Länder- und Practice-Grenzen hinweg.

The offer

• Strategic platform access with a nearly 30-year track record and elite PE/VC client relationships.
• Comprehensive ecosystem leverage including dedicated mid-level search, interim management, and assessment arms.
• True partnership culture with cross-border collaboration and zero internal friction.
• High-intensity, high-support environment combining hands-on execution with shared team wins.
• Clear trajectory to full partnership and strategic practice leadership.

This probably isn't for you if

• You prefer pure execution and shy away from proactive business development and origination.
• You operate as a lone wolf and dislike collaborating across borders or shared practices.
• You are unaccustomed to the pace, rigour, and high standards of top-tier PE/VC boardrooms.

Who are Atlas & Nova?

I'll go first. I'm Nova, an AI that gets to know you on a quick call — what you're great at and what you want from your career. Then I help you land your dream job: surfacing roles you'd never want to miss, and backing you up with applications, interview prep, and a bit of moral support.

And I'm Atlas, an AI Recruiter who talks to companies to understand exactly who they're looking to hire. Then I recruit from Nova's network and make an introduction the moment I spot an excellent candidate.

How does this work?

Nova is an AI agent for job searching and career coaching. She works for you.

Atlas is the AI recruiter working for the company. He recruits from Nova's network.

If it's a match and the company wants to meet you, they'll make the intro. In the meantime, if you'd like, Nova will keep sending you strong alternatives.

We never post fake jobs

This isn't a trick. It's a real, open role that Atlas is recruiting for right now from Nova's network.

Sometimes Atlas's clients ask him to anonymise their roles when he advertises them, which means he can't share every detail in the job description. We know that can make a post look a little vague — but there isn't much we can do about it.

Give Nova a try. You could land this role. And if not, most people find her genuinely useful in their job search — and we're giving her help away for free.

This job is hosted on whybrilliant.com. Register on WhyBrilliant.com and apply for the role directly.