Business Details
Executive Search Partner for Growth Companies
Signal Partners operates as a specialized retained executive search firm dedicated to helping growth-stage, venture-backed, and private equity-backed companies build high-impact leadership teams. We serve as a single-source provider of recruiting services, enabling clients to maintain control over their brand narrative while accessing expertise across executive and non-executive searches. Our team combines deep industry knowledge with a proprietary methodology focused on identifying candidates who demonstrate high signal-to-noise ratios in both capability and cultural alignment.With decades of collective experience in sectors including technology, consumer goods, healthcare, and financial services, we work closely with equity sponsors and portfolio companies to address complex talent challenges. Our approach emphasizes strategic alignment, leveraging state-of-the-art tools and processes to deliver results that drive organizational success through people-focused execution.
Services
Executive Search
Non-Executive Search
Leadership Team Building
Talent Acquisition Strategy
Portfolio Company Staffing
Highlights and features
- We specialize in retained executive searches for venture-backed and PE-backed companies.
- Our team includes former operating executives with deep industry experience across multiple sectors.
- We provide full-stack talent solutions from C-suite to individual contributor roles.
- Our proprietary methodology identifies candidates with high signal-to-noise ratios for better alignment.
- We've completed hundreds of searches with a 70% multi-assignment client retention rate.
What people say
Top-notch
Radically improve our pool
Understand the DNA
True partner
Thoughtful assistance
Services
Executive Search
Our retained executive search service identifies C-suite and senior-level leaders for growth-stage and private equity-backed companies. We specialize in complex searches requiring deep industry expertise across technology, consumer products, healthcare, and industrial sectors. Our proven methodology combines direct candidate engagement with strategic market mapping to deliver executives who drive organizational transformation.
Non-Executive Search
We provide comprehensive non-executive search solutions for critical mid-level and individual contributor roles. Our team builds full leadership teams from product and engineering to finance and operations for venture-backed and growth companies. We focus on candidates who demonstrate cultural alignment and capability to execute at scale across multiple industry verticals.
Portfolio Company Staffing
Designed specifically for private equity firms, our portfolio staffing service addresses executive and key leadership needs across investment portfolios. We understand the unique requirements of PE-backed companies, delivering talent that drives operational improvements and creates value across multiple ownership cycles and industry sectors.
Team Build-outs
Our team build-out service creates complete leadership teams from ground-up for scaling organizations. We specialize in functional team development across product, technology, finance, and operations. Our approach ensures cohesive team dynamics while maintaining alignment with company culture and growth objectives across various industry verticals.
C-Suite Recruitment
We specialize in C-suite recruitment for critical leadership positions including CEO, CFO, CTO, and CPO roles. Our executive search experts work closely with boards and investors to identify proven leaders who deliver transformational results. Our process ensures seamless transitions and long-term executive success for growth-stage and PE-backed organizations.
People
Tim Smith
Co-Founder
Co-founder of Signal Partners with 20+ years in executive search. Former founder of Endeavor Search Partners and venture committee member at Young Entrepreneurs Organization. MBA from UC Irvine with extensive experience in technology and consumer sectors.
Gabrielle Fernandez
Director
Executive search specialist with expertise in product, data, and technology leadership. Previously VP at Raines International and team lead at Citibank. Focus on full-stack searches from C-suite to individual contributors in technology-driven industries.
Hanley Holcomb
Partner
Executive search partner with 15 years in financial services and private equity recruitment. Former Senior Partner at Lucas Group and Wall Street trader. Expert in real estate private equity and financial leadership placements for growth companies.
Patricia Muise
Partner
20+ year veteran in executive search with consumer and retail expertise. Former Korn Ferry Senior Client Partner and operating executive in retail/hospitality. Specializes in beauty, health, and wellness sector leadership development for growth companies.
Questions
What industries does Signal Partners specialize in?
We specialize in technology, consumer goods, healthcare, industrial, and financial services sectors with deep expertise in placing leaders at venture-backed, growth-stage, and private equity-backed companies.
What types of roles do you help fill?
We handle executive and non-executive searches for C-suite roles, department heads, and individual contributors across product, technology, finance, operations, and sales functions for growth-oriented companies.
How does Signal Partners' search process work?
We begin by deeply understanding your business needs, culture, and leadership requirements. Our process includes market mapping, direct candidate engagement, rigorous evaluation, and transition support to ensure successful placements.
Do you work with private equity firms?
Yes, we specialize in working with private equity firms and their portfolio companies. Our team understands the unique talent requirements and time-sensitive nature of PE-backed leadership needs.
What makes Signal Partners different from other search firms?
We combine former operating executive experience with a proprietary candidate identification methodology. Our focus on growth-stage companies and PE-backed firms allows us to deliver more targeted, context-aware leadership solutions.
How do you ensure cultural fit?
Our approach evaluates candidates for both capability and cultural alignment through extensive reference checking, behavioral interviewing, and in-depth assessment of values and leadership style compatibility.
