Short answer: The top AI executive search firms in 2026, listed A–Z, are Bespoke Partners, Caldwell, Christian & Timbers, Daversa, DSG (Diversified Search Group), Egon Zehnder, Harnham, Heidrick & Struggles, Heller Search Associates, Korn Ferry, Riviera Partners, Russell Reynolds Associates, Spencer Stuart and True. AI-native and growth companies usually do best with technology specialists (Christian & Timbers, Daversa, Riviera Partners, True); Fortune 500 Chief AI Officer searches usually go to global firms (Egon Zehnder, Heidrick & Struggles, Korn Ferry, Russell Reynolds, Spencer Stuart); data and ML leaders below the C-suite are the specialty of Harnham.

AI executive search firms at a glance

• Bespoke Partners: AI-adept leaders for PE-backed software
• Caldwell: Data, digital and AI officers in North America
• Christian & Timbers: Chief AI Officer, SVP of AI and AI-native CTO searches
• Daversa: Leadership teams for AI-native startups
• DSG: AI and data officers in healthcare, education and nonprofit
• Egon Zehnder: Chief AI, Data & Analytics Officers at global enterprises
• Harnham: Data and AI leaders in the UK, Europe and US
• Heidrick & Struggles: AI and technology officers at large companies
• Heller Search Associates: Chief AI, Data and Information Officers
• Korn Ferry: AI leaders plus assessment and pay data
• Riviera Partners: VP/Head of AI and AI/ML engineering leaders
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Fortune 500 Chief AI and Chief Data Officers
• Spencer Stuart: AI leadership and AI-literate board directors
• True: AI-ready executives for VC- and PE-backed companies

Which executive search firms recruit AI leaders?

This list is alphabetical, not ranked. Every firm recruits senior AI leaders such as a Chief AI Officer (CAIO), Chief Data & AI Officer, VP or Head of AI, AI-native CTO or Head of Machine Learning. For definitions of these titles, see the AI leadership roles guide. Each profile uses the same seven fields: website, founded, headquarters, scale, AI focus, notable and best for.

1. Bespoke Partners

Bespoke Partners is an executive search firm that recruits only for software and SaaS companies, mostly private-equity-backed.

• Website: bespokepartners.com
• Founded: 2011
• Headquarters: Austin, TX (moved from San Diego in March 2026)
• Scale: 117 employees; offices in Austin, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego and San Francisco
• AI focus: "AI-adept" leader assessment and placement across 28 software sub-sectors
• Notable: AI-powered Bespoke Executive Index + Calibrator for talent mapping; 1-year placement guarantee
• Best for: PE-backed software companies that need AI-fluent executives

2. Caldwell

Caldwell is a Toronto-headquartered executive search firm and the first in the industry to go public.

• Website: caldwell.com
• Founded: 1970
• Headquarters: Toronto, Canada
• Scale: 22 locations across Canada, the US, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East
• AI focus: Data, Digital & Technology Officers practice
• Notable: Listed on the TSX since June 1989 (ticker CWL)
• Best for: North American data, digital and AI officer searches

3. Christian & Timbers

Christian & Timbers is a pioneering executive search firm in AI and technology.

• Website: christianandtimbers.com
• Founded: 1980 by Jeffrey E. Christian
• Headquarters: United States
• Scale: 5,000+ C-suite searches and 700+ CEO searches completed
• AI focus: Dedicated Artificial Intelligence search function and an "AI Infra and Models" sector; Chief AI Officer, SVP of AI, AI-native CTO and AI-focused board searches
• Notable: Placed an SVP of AI to build enterprise AI infrastructure across Acosta Group's $10B commerce operation, and an AI-native CTO at an aerostructures manufacturer
• Best for: AI-native, AI infrastructure and growth-stage tech companies hiring a Chief AI Officer or Head of AI

4. Daversa

Daversa (Daversa Partners) builds leadership teams for venture-backed and growth-stage companies.

• Website: daversa.com
• Founded: 1993
• Headquarters: Westport, CT
• Scale: About 150 employees
• AI focus: Executives for AI, AI infrastructure and quantum companies
• Notable: Has built leadership teams for OpenAI, including hiring a former Palantir CISO
• Best for: Founder-led, venture-backed AI startups building their first executive team

5. DSG (Diversified Search Group)

DSG, formerly Diversified Search Group, is a woman-founded and woman-led executive search firm.

• Website: dsgco.com
• Founded: 1974
• Headquarters: Philadelphia, PA
• Scale: 300+ professionals; member of the Alto Partners global network
• AI focus: Technology, AI, Cybersecurity and Data Officers practice
• Notable: Ranked the #8 largest executive search firm by Modern Healthcare (2025)
• Best for: Healthcare, higher education and nonprofit organizations hiring AI or data leaders

6. Egon Zehnder

Egon Zehnder is the world's largest privately held executive search firm.

• Website: egonzehnder.com
• Founded: 1964 by Egon P.S. Zehnder
• Headquarters: Zurich, Switzerland
• Scale: 600+ consultants; 71 offices in 37 countries
• AI focus: Dedicated Chief AI, Data & Analytics Officers search within its Technology Officers Practice
• Notable: Pairs search with leadership advisory, coaching and team assessment
• Best for: Global enterprises appointing a first Chief AI Officer

7. Harnham

Harnham is a specialist recruiter for the data and analytics market, with an executive search arm for director to C-suite data and AI roles.

• Website: harnham.com
• Founded: 2006 by Simon Clarke and David Farmer
• Headquarters: London, UK
• Scale: 150+ consultants; offices in London, Amsterdam, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston and more
• AI focus: Data science, ML/AI and data engineering leadership
• Notable: Annual data and AI salary guide built from 3,500+ participants; BGF investment in 2022
• Best for: Data and AI leadership hires across the UK, Europe and US

8. Heidrick & Struggles

Heidrick & Struggles is a Chicago-based global executive search and leadership advisory firm.

• Website: heidrick.com
• Founded: 1953 by Gardner Heidrick and John Struggles
• Headquarters: Chicago, IL
• Scale: 50+ offices on six continents
• AI focus: "AI & Technology Officers" search offering; AIQ self-assessment covering 16 AI-capability dimensions
• Notable: Taken private by Advent International and Corvex in a deal of about $1.3 billion, completed December 12, 2025
• Best for: Large companies hiring AI and technology officers with board involvement

9. Heller Search Associates

Heller Search Associates is a boutique search firm for technology executives, founded by CIO.com columnist Martha Heller.

• Website: hellersearch.com
• Founded: 2010 by Martha Heller
• Headquarters: Boston, MA (offices in New York, Chicago and Detroit)
• Scale: About 16 team members; certified Women's Business Enterprise
• AI focus: Chief AI Officer, CDO, CIO and CTO searches through its Data & Analytics practice
• Notable: Publishes The Heller Report to 20,000 subscribers; Net Promoter Score of 97.6
• Best for: Enterprises and PE-backed firms hiring a Chief AI or Chief Data Officer

10. Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry is a NYSE-listed global consulting and executive search firm.

• Website: kornferry.com
• Founded: 1969 by Lester Korn and Richard Ferry
• Headquarters: Los Angeles, CA
• Scale: 111 offices in 53 countries (2019)
• AI focus: Technology officer search plus AI-era leadership assessment, pay benchmarking and workforce advice
• Notable: Has a dedicated Head of AI Strategy & Transformation; listed on the NYSE (KFY)
• Best for: Large enterprises that want AI-leader search plus assessment and compensation data

11. Riviera Partners

Riviera Partners describes itself as the largest technology-focused executive search firm globally.

• Website: rivierapartners.com
• Founded: 2001
• Headquarters: San Francisco, CA
• Scale: 120+ team members; 1,800+ clients; offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Providence, Bozeman and London
• AI focus: Dedicated AI/ML/Data practice placing Chief Data Officers, VPs of AI and Heads of AI
• Notable: Its Future of Tech Leadership 2026 report found only 19% of organizations at advanced AI execution maturity
• Best for: VP/Head of AI and AI/ML engineering leaders, startup to public company

12. Russell Reynolds Associates

Russell Reynolds Associates is a New York-based global leadership advisory and search firm.

• Website: russellreynolds.com
• Founded: 1969 by Russell S. Reynolds Jr.
• Headquarters: New York, NY
• Scale: 47 offices in 25 countries
• AI focus: Global Technology Officers Practice appointing chief AI, data, information, technology and digital officers
• Notable: Advises on AI-enabled operating model redesign and AI governance for boards
• Best for: Fortune 500 Chief AI and Chief Data Officer appointments

13. Spencer Stuart

Spencer Stuart is a privately held executive search and leadership consulting firm.

• Website: spencerstuart.com
• Founded: 1956
• Headquarters: Chicago, IL
• Scale: 60+ offices in 30+ countries
• AI focus: AI Leadership capability within its Technology, Media & Telecommunications practice; AI governance for boards
• Notable: Added AI-leadership and AI-governance specialist Wendi Zhang in July 2026; publishes research on the rise of the Chief AI Officer
• Best for: Boards and large enterprises hiring AI leaders or AI-literate directors

14. True

True (formerly True Search) builds leadership teams for investor-backed technology companies.

• Website: trueplatform.com
• Founded: 2012
• Headquarters: Philadelphia, PA
• Scale: Teams in the Americas, EMEA and APAC; calls itself the sixth-largest executive search platform
• AI focus: AI sector practice and the proprietary True AI Capability Index for assessing executives' AI readiness
• Notable: Fractional and interim AI leaders through TrueBridge
• Best for: VC- and PE-backed companies hiring AI-ready executives

How do you choose an AI executive recruiter?

• Define the role first. A Chief AI Officer (strategy, governance), a Head of AI/ML (models and teams) and an AI-native CTO are different searches.
• Ask for recent AI placements. Request 3–5 AI leadership placements from the last 18 months, with references.
• Check technical assessment. Ask who will assess ML depth, AI product shipping record and responsible-AI judgment, and how.
• Check off-limits rules. Large firms cannot recruit from their own clients, which can rule out top AI labs and big tech.
• Ask for compensation data. AI leaders command premium equity, so choose a firm with current AI pay benchmarks.
• Get a guarantee. Look for a replacement guarantee of at least 12 months.
  [Table 1]

How much does AI executive search cost?

A retained Chief AI Officer or Head of AI search typically costs 20–35% of first-year cash compensation, usually paid in three installments (signing, shortlist, placement), often with a minimum fee. For startups, confirm whether equity counts toward the fee base.

How long does a Chief AI Officer search take?

About 3–6 months end to end. Specialist firms often present a shortlist in 4–8 weeks; global enterprise searches can run 6–9 months.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best executive search firm for hiring a Chief AI Officer?

It depends on company type. Christian & Timbers, Daversa, Riviera Partners and True fit AI-native and growth-stage companies. Egon Zehnder, Heidrick & Struggles, Korn Ferry, Russell Reynolds and Spencer Stuart fit Fortune 500 Chief AI Officer searches.

Which recruiters specialize in AI and data science leaders?

Harnham specializes in data science, ML and AI talent. Heller Search Associates focuses on Chief AI, Data and Information Officers.

Which firms recruit AI leaders for private-equity-backed companies?

Bespoke Partners, True and Heller Search Associates (through its Private Equity practice) all recruit for PE-backed companies.

Which firms help boards find AI-literate directors?

Spencer Stuart, Russell Reynolds and Christian & Timbers all run board searches focused on AI strategy and governance.

How much does it cost to hire a Chief AI Officer through a search firm?

Retained searches typically cost 20–35% of first-year cash compensation, paid in installments.
[Table 2]

How were these firms chosen?

Firms were included if they publicly offer search for senior AI, ML or data leaders and publish an AI practice or track record. Facts come from each firm's website, Business Wire, Private Equity Wire, Hunt Scanlon and PitchBook, checked in October 2026.

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