PE-backed B2B SaaS and data intelligence business, North America and Europe.
Challenge
Board-level mandate to appoint the company's first Chief AI Officer.
Required a leader with consulting and enterprise AI background, able to operate at C-suite level.
Confidential search with tight timelines and direct PE board oversight.
Solution
Retained search targeting AI leaders from large-scale consumer businesses and top-tier consulting firms.
Competency-based video interviews assessing commercial acumen, leadership, and AI delivery track record.
Compensation benchmarking and offer strategy to secure a candidate at the required calibre.
Result
68 candidates identified, 4 shortlisted, 1 hired.
Chief AI Officer built the AI function from scratch, delivered measurable EBITDA improvement, and presented the AI roadmap directly to the PE board.
Client Quote
"Joanna immediately understood the calibre of person we needed and the complexity of the brief. She delivered a shortlist that a traditional recruiter simply would not have produced. We now have a world-class AI leader in post."
Executive Search for Chief Data and AI Officer
Client
PE-backed global market research and data technology group, operating across 15 markets.
Challenge
A previous mainstream search firm had stalled after six months without producing a credible shortlist.
Required a CDAO with depth across data, AI, and transformation in a complex, multi-market consumer environment.
PE firm and board were under pressure to move quickly following the failed search.
Solution
Took over the stalled search and rebuilt the candidate strategy from the ground up.
Targeted consulting alumni, senior hires from leading consumer groups, and AI-forward retail businesses.
Introduced psychometric testing and formal referencing; advised on role redesign and compensation restructure.
Result
89 candidates identified, 5 shortlisted, 1 hired.
CDAO drove significant cost reduction through AI automation and embedded a data-first culture across the group.
Client Quote
"Joanna salvaged a search that had cost us months. Her understanding of the candidate landscape, and her ability to attract people who would not have applied through a conventional route, made all the difference."
Executive Search for Head of AI and Data Transformation
Client
PE-backed digital health and wellness technology business, post-buyout value creation phase.
Challenge
Search aligned to a 100-day post-acquisition plan with fixed milestones and board reporting.
Needed a leader with consulting and enterprise AI credentials and hands-on delivery capability.
Fast-moving PE environment with limited margin for error in the appointment.
Solution
Accelerated retained search structured around the PE firm's 100-day plan milestones.
Worked directly with the Operating Partner and incoming CEO to define the brief and assess candidates.
Targeted AI transformation leaders from consulting, MarTech, and the beauty and personal care sectors.
Result
54 candidates identified, 4 shortlisted, appointed within 11 weeks.
Head of AI and Data Transformation is leading the group-wide data infrastructure build and presents progress to the PE board quarterly.
Client Quote
"Speed, precision, and total professionalism. Joanna understood what a PE-backed environment demands and delivered a shortlist of exceptional quality. We have the right person in post and on track."
Engaged Search for Head of Insights
Client
UK-based tech startup specialising in creative testing software.
Challenge
First embedded role for the client’s partnership with a global branding agency.
Required a candidate with expertise in brand and creative testing, strategic AI insights, and team-building capabilities.
Niche market and cross-industry skillset added complexity.
Solution
Delivered a structured retained search with milestones and progress tracking.
Identified and shortlisted highly qualified candidates within weeks.
Conducted video competency-based interviews and contributed to hiring strategy during board meetings.
Result
53 candidates identified, 5 shortlisted, 1 hired.
Successfully appointed a Senior Insights Professional, resulting in significant market share growth.
Client Quote
"What truly sets Joanna apart is how she transforms the hiring process from stressful to seamless. I recommend her to any business looking to expand their customer success and research functions."
Executive Search for Head of Product
Client
US-based SaaS company delivering next-generation consumer insights through an AI-powered platform.
Challenge
Confidential senior product leadership hire search to drive platform innovation and scale globally.
Required a Head of Product with a rare blend of SaaS product leadership, deep understanding of AI-driven insights, and experience managing cross-functional international teams.
Fast-moving competitive landscape and demand for hands-on strategic leadership added to complexity of the search.
Solution
Executed a structured retained search with clear milestones, weekly updates, and a collaborative shortlisting process.
Mapped competitors and adjacent markets, targeting top product leaders in SaaS, MarTech, and Insights industries.
Run competency-based video interviews focusing on product vision, commercial impact, leadership skills, and technical understanding of AI and insights automation.
Advised on role positioning, compensation benchmarking, and interview process design to secure top tier candidates.
Result
72 candidates identified, 4 shortlisted, 1 hired.
Successfully appointed a Head of Product who since launched a new enterprise-grade product line, accelerated time-to-market, and strengthened the company's competitive edge in the insights space.
Client Quote
"Joanna's approach was a breath of fresh air. She understood exactly what we needed, delivered an outstanding shortlist, and played a key role in helping us secure a transformative leader for our business.”
Embedded TA for Growth Strategy Consultancy
Client
UK-based growth strategy start-up focusing on GTM, product/service, and experience strategies for global technology clients.
Challenge
Urgent need to fill three mid to senior level, critical roles over six months.
Recruitment difficulties due to niche expertise requirement and an extensive off-limits list.
Solution
Provided embedded TA support for 6 months, acting as an extension of the client’s internal team.
Delivered full-cycle recruitment services, including candidate sourcing, screening, and onboarding.
Maintained agility to meet fluctuating hiring demands while addressing the off-limits challenges with innovative sourcing strategies.
Value Add
Salary Benchmarking
Competitor Mapping.
Market Insights Reports
Talent Pipelining
Result
237 candidates identified, 3 hired.
Embedded support enabled the client to meet hiring goals, scale effectively, and secure top-tier talent.
Client Quote
"When you work with Joanna, you'll feel like you can't work with any other recruiter anymore. Her positive tone and lively nature has made a stressful process like recruitment seem so seamless and exciting!"
Executive Search for Growth Marketing & GMT Lead
Client
Global Saas Insights platform expanding operations across EEMA.
Challenge
First senior commercial hire in EMEA to lead growth marketing and GTM strategy.
Required a candidate with deep expertise in SaaS growth marketing, brand positioning, pipeline generation, and scaling new market entry across diverse EMEA regions.
Balancing hands-on execution with strategic leadership in a high-growth environment made the search highly specialised.
Solution
Delivered a structured retained search with milestone tracking and weekly progress reports.
Mapped market across SaaS, MarTech and Market Research industries, targeting commercially-led marketing leaders with proven EMEA expansion experience.
Conducted competency-based video interviews assessing growth strategy expertise, cross-cultural leadership skills, and performance marketing track record.
Advised the client on employer branding, and market positioning to enhance candidate attraction.
A Growth Marketing & GMT lead was successfully appointed, and has since launched EMEA-wide campaigns, built the regional marketing function, and accelerated lead generation and revenue growth across markets.
Client Quote
"Joanna truly understood the profile we needed. Her process was thorough, insightful and incredibly effective. We now have a strong EMEA leader who is driving real commercial impact."
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