SaaS sales executive search
SaaS sales leaders who build recurring revenue.
Retained executive search for SaaS and cloud companies hiring Chief Revenue Officers, VPs of Sales and Sales Directors. We find leaders who have scaled ARR, built teams and held a forecast, and we approach them in complete confidence.
- ✓ Existing clients include Databricks and Zendesk
- ✓ Global CRO appointed for a US software vendor
- ✓ Every mandate delivered on time
Others send CVs and flashy bios. We deliver the hire.
500+ senior leaders placed since 2005Every mandate delivered within its agreed timelineOne free replacement since 2005No fee ever refunded
Why Selective Search
We know what good looks like in SaaS.
Leaders who have scaled ARR
We look for sales leaders who have taken a business through its next growth stage, not just managed one that was already working.
Forecast and team discipline
We test pipeline coverage, forecast accuracy, hiring record and ramp times, the measures your board will judge them on.
Stage-matched shortlists
A leader who thrived at Series B may struggle at a public company, and the reverse. We match each candidate to your stage, investors and route to market.
Executive search for SaaS companies
Executive search for SaaS companies, led by a partner.
Hiring a Head of Sales, Sales Director, VP Sales, Chief Revenue Officer or Chief Customer Officer for a SaaS business is a board-level decision. Selective Search runs retained, confidential executive search for SaaS companies, from private equity-backed scale-ups to global software vendors. Every search is led by an Executive Partner, and every shortlist is matched to your stage, your sales motion and your number.
Since 2005 we have placed more than 500 senior sales leaders. Read how our executive sales recruitment and Chief Customer Officer recruitment work, or brief us on a SaaS sales leadership search →
How a retained search works
Four steps. Complete confidence.
The brief
A confidential call with an Executive Partner: the role, the market and what success looks like in year one.
The map
Every credible leader in your market identified, not just the ones who are looking.
The approach
A discreet, brokered first conversation, on the candidate’s terms.
The shortlist
A small number of assessed, interested leaders, presented with evidence.
Track record
Leaders we have placed.
US global software vendor
Global Chief Revenue Officer✓ Appointed within the agreed timelineAtos
Global Head of Strategic Deals✓ €2bn+ order entry deliveredTata Consultancy Services
Head of BPO✓ Appointed within the agreed timelineQuestions
Frequently asked.
Which SaaS sales roles do you recruit?
Chief Revenue Officers, VPs of Sales, Sales Directors, Heads of Enterprise and regional sales leaders for SaaS, cloud, data and AI companies.
Do you work with private equity and venture-backed companies?
Yes. Many of our searches are for investor-backed scale-ups, where the revenue leader is central to the growth plan.
How do you assess SaaS sales leaders?
We look at ARR growth delivered, net revenue retention, pipeline coverage, forecast accuracy, team build and references from people who worked for and alongside them.
Should we use a SaaS sales recruitment agency or a retained search firm?
For individual contributor and first-line sales roles, a SaaS sales recruitment agency can be a sensible choice. For a Chief Revenue Officer, VP of Sales or Sales Director, most SaaS boards choose retained executive search: the search is confidential, it is led by an Executive Partner, and it reaches proven leaders who are not on the market rather than those answering adverts. Our candidates come from our own network, never from adverts, and every mandate we have accepted has been delivered on time.
Confidential briefing
Have a critical appointment to make?
A 15-minute confidential call with an Executive Partner. No obligation.