Principal

About Christian & Timbers

Christian & Timbers is a leading executive search firm specializing in AI-native and advanced technology companies. The firm collaborates with founders, boards, and investors to build C-suite, board-level, and senior leadership teams across AI infrastructure, applied AI, cybersecurity, data platforms, and high-growth software.

Search work is research-focused, global, and centered on roles that shape product direction, market position, and company value.

Role Overview – Principal

Christian & Timbers is hiring a Principal to lead complex searches and support business development within its AI and technology practice. The Principal will collaborate closely with Partners on client relationships while managing the execution of high-impact mandates for CEOs, Chief AI Officers, CTOs, Chief Product Officers, Chief Scientists, and senior engineering leaders.

The role is positioned between Partner and Senior Associate, blending client-facing duties with structured search delivery. It is intended for an executive search professional prepared to lead critical assignments and assume full client ownership.

Key Responsibilities

Search Leadership

• Lead end-to-end delivery of retained executive searches, from mandate definition and search strategy through research oversight, candidate evaluation and offer support.
• Define target-company strategy, talent pools and evaluation criteria for each assignment, in alignment with Partner and client expectations.
• Conduct in-depth interviews with senior candidates, assessing scale, leadership capability, technical context, and cultural fit.

Client Engagement

• Participate in client pitches, briefings, and regular progress reviews as a key point of contact alongside the Partner.
• Translate client objectives into clear role definitions, search plans, and communication frameworks for the internal team.
• Present shortlists, candidate insights, and market feedback with clarity and evidence-based reasoning.

Market and Talent Insight

• Maintain a detailed view of AI leadership markets, including moves of senior executives, compensation trends, and organization structures at leading AI and software companies.
• Produce market maps, talent landscapes, and competitor views that inform both active searches and future opportunities.
• Contribute to internal knowledge related to AI infrastructure, applied AI, data leadership, and go-to-market roles.

Team Management and Development

• Guide Senior Associates and researchers on priorities, methodology, and quality standards for each assignment.
• Review research outputs, candidate summaries, and documentation to ensure accuracy and depth.
• Provide feedback and mentoring that strengthen the team’s analytical approach and client-readiness.

Practice and Business Development Support

• Support Partners in originating new mandates through excellent delivery on existing assignments and consistent market presence.
• Identify emerging companies, funds, and sectors where Christian & Timbers can play a strategic leadership role.
• Contribute content and insight for firm materials focused on AI leadership, C-suite design, and board composition.

Ideal Profile

• Strong track record in executive search, ideally with experience in technology, AI, software, data, or adjacent sectors, or a background in investment or strategy with meaningful exposure to senior talent markets.
• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder searches at VP, C-suite, or board level.
• Comfort working with founders, CEOs, investors, and senior functional leaders in high-growth and investor-backed environments.
• High level of analytical capability, with the ability to structure markets, evaluate leaders, and communicate nuance in writing and in conversation.
• Strong project management skills, with disciplined documentation, follow-through, and attention to detail.
• Interest in AI-native companies, infrastructure platforms, and the broader innovation ecosystem.

What Christian & Timbers Offers

• A platform positioned at the center of global AI and advanced technology leadership hiring.
• Direct involvement in board-level and C-suite decisions that shape the direction of companies and sectors.
• A clear path from Principal to Partner, with increasing responsibility for client relationships, mandate origination, and practice-building.
• A culture that values research-driven work, confidentiality, precision, and long-term client partnerships.

As a Principal at Christian & Timbers, you will help shape and develop leadership teams for some of the most ambitious AI and technology companies worldwide.