Business Details
Executive Recruitment Services in Wilmington, NC
Hawthorne Search, based in Wilmington, North Carolina, has established itself as a leader in executive recruitment for high-growth industries. Founded on the principle of information-based recruiting, the firm immerses itself in industry trends through conferences, publications, and network engagement to identify top-tier talent. With over a decade of experience, the team specializes in placing executives in SaaS, Software & Data, AdTech, MarTech, Digital Media, and eCommerce sectors. Their consultative approach ensures alignment between client needs and candidate capabilities, emphasizing cultural fit and long-term success.The firms proprietary research strategies access passive candidates, while a commitment to transparency and client collaboration underpins every engagement. Success rates of 90% for retained searches and 80% for exclusive contingency searches reflect their expertise. Led by President Robert Hawthorne, the team combines athletic drive with empathy to deliver results-driven talent solutions tailored to evolving market demands.
Services
Executive Search
Retained Search
Contingency Search
Resume Writing
Leadership Consulting
Industry-Specific Recruitment
Highlights and features
- We maintain a 90% success rate on retained executive searches.
- Our team includes former industry professionals with deep sector knowledge.
- We access passive candidates through proprietary research strategies.
- We offer personalized service focused on cultural fit and long-term alignment.
- Our consultative approach ensures alignment with client strategic objectives.
Services
Executive Search
Our executive search service identifies C-suite and senior leaders for technology-driven industries. We focus on SaaS, AdTech, and eCommerce sectors, combining market research with behavioral profiling to ensure cultural and strategic alignment. Clients benefit from reduced interview cycles and 95%+ placement retention beyond guarantee periods.
Retained Search
Retained search engagements provide dedicated focus for critical leadership roles. With 90% success rates, we deliver pre-vetted candidates through proprietary research and industry immersion. This service includes customized compensation analysis and reference checks to ensure optimal fit for high-impact positions.
Contingency Search
Our contingency search model offers cost-effective talent acquisition for competitive markets. Delivering 80% success rates, this service prioritizes rapid response and access to passive candidates. Ideal for roles requiring speed-to-market while maintaining rigorous evaluation standards for technical and cultural fit.
Resume Writing
Professional resume writing services enhance candidate marketability through strategic storytelling. Our certified experts translate professional achievements into compelling narratives tailored to technology and digital media industries, improving visibility in competitive job markets.
Leadership Consulting
We provide advisory services on leadership development and succession planning. Our consultants analyze organizational needs to build talent pipelines that align with long-term business objectives, ensuring clients maintain competitive advantage through strategic workforce planning.
People
Robert Hawthorne
President
With over 20 years in executive search, Robert specializes in SaaS and travel tech sectors. He pioneered local search strategies and maintains relationships with industry thought leaders, combining athletic discipline with client-first ethics to deliver market-leading results.
Katharine Hawthorne
Customer Success Manager
A Clemson graduate, Katharine leverages Fortune 500 client relationships experience to align candidate skills with organizational goals. Her background in corporate communications and customer success ensures strategic talent-business alignment through executive placements.
Cathy Bagley
Recruitment Specialist
With 20+ years in recruitment, Cathy focuses on SaaS and digital marketing sectors. Her entrepreneurial approach and attention to detail have produced placements from entry-level to C-suite, supported by a B.S. in English and Management from Appalachian State University.
Matt Derry
Recruiter
Matt brings 6 years of niche recruitment experience across accounting, finance, and SaaS sectors. His background in public accounting informs data-driven talent strategies for Fortune 500 companies and high-growth startups, emphasizing long-term placement success.
Tina Kahler
Recruitment Specialist
With 25 years in executive search, Tina specializes in C-level placements across advertising and technology sectors. Her international market expertise and Western Illinois University communications background enable strategic talent connections that exceed client expectations.
Questions
What industries does Hawthorne Executive Search specialize in?
We focus on SaaS, Software & Data, AdTech, MarTech, Digital Media, and eCommerce sectors, with deep expertise in placing executives who drive innovation in these rapidly evolving markets.
How does your retained search process work?
Our retained search begins with comprehensive profile development, followed by proprietary candidate research, behavioral profiling, and reference validation. We maintain exclusive focus on your role with 90% success rates through dedicated researcher support.
What differentiates your contingency search service?
We combine speed with rigor in contingency searches, accessing passive candidates through industry networks while maintaining 80% success rates. Our process includes compensation benchmarking and cultural fit assessments for critical roles.
How do you ensure candidate confidentiality?
We maintain strict confidentiality through private candidate engagements, secure communication channels, and non-public candidate databases. Our team has extensive experience handling sensitive executive transitions for industry leaders.
What metrics demonstrate your placement success?
95% of placements remain beyond guarantee periods, with 80% retention over three years. Our clients conduct 4 interviews per hire (vs. industry average of 11) due to precise pre-vetting processes.
