Principal Executive Search

Job Description

Job Description

Principal, Executive Search — SGA Talent

Location: On-Site.
Type: Full-Time, Partner-Track.
Compensation: Base + Commission (commission-heavy structure; total compensation scales significantly with book of business).

About SGA Talent:

SGA Talent a nationally ranked 250 Recruiting firm growing its executive search practice and looking for a seasoned sales or recruiting leader to join at a senior level. This is a ground-floor opportunity to shape a growing firm's search practice, bring your relationships and expertise, and build your own success — not just your paycheck.

The Opportunity:

We're looking for someone who's spent their career building relationships, closing deals, and placing top talent — and who's ready to do it with more ownership, more upside, and more autonomy than a traditional recruiting seat offers. This role is built for a rainmaker: someone who can bring an existing book of business or client relationships, and who wants to grow a practice as much as work in one.

What You'll Do:

• Originate and close new executive search and recruiting engagements, leveraging your existing network, your book of business, and the SGA Talent brand.
• Manage the full search lifecycle — client development, search strategy, candidate sourcing, assessment, and offer negotiation — backed by a team of recruiters to help fulfill your searches.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with C-suite and senior-level clients across your area of specialization.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients on talent strategy, market intelligence, and organizational design.
• Partner with firm leadership to help shape SGA Talent's growth strategy, practice areas, and brand in the market.
• Mentor and collaborate with team members as the search practice scales.
• Represent SGA Talent at industry events, conferences, and networking functions to build market presence.

What We're Looking For:

• 7+ years of experience in executive search, recruiting leadership, human resources leader with agency experience or senior B2B sales.
• A demonstrated track record of closing business and hitting revenue targets.
• An existing book of business, client relationships, or a strong professional network you can activate quickly (strongly preferred).
• Deep understanding of the executive search process, from business development through placement.
• Excellent relationship-building, negotiation, and communication skills.
• A self-starter mentality — comfortable operating with autonomy and building something from the ground up.
• Alignment with a firm that rewards performance and ownership over tenure or hierarchy.

Why SGA Talent?

• Uncapped, commission-driven compensation — your book of business directly drives your earning potential.
• Built-in delivery support — a team of recruiters helps fulfill your searches, so you can focus on origination and client relationships.
• Ground-floor opportunity to help build and shape a growing executive search practice.
• Autonomy and ownership — you'll operate like a business owner, not just an employee.
• A firm built for growth — if you're looking to be part of something scaling rather than settling into something static, this is the seat.
• Partner-track structure designed to reward the people who help build the firm, not just staff it.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

You're a proven closer with real relationships in the market — whether that's from executive search, agency recruiting, or senior sales. You're motivated by upside, not capped by it. You want a seat at the table in a growing firm, and you're ready to bring your book, your network, and your drive to help build something bigger than your last role.

Commission and Bonus opportunities are huge!