Executive search agency

Executive search partner for SaaS & AI

We help founders and boards find the senior leaders who'll define their next chapter.

The problem

Executive search wasn't built for the speed of SaaS & AI scale-ups.

You need a senior hire. So you engage a search firm. And then the real frustration begins.

  • Multi-month timelines for roles you needed filled yesterday.

  • Great candidates dropping out halfway through.

  • Firms that don't understand the pace of your world.

  • Searches that start from zero - every time.

  • You know exactly what you need but can't seem to find it.

  • The feeling that you're serving the search, not the other way around.

We built Carter James to fix this.

The problem

Executive search wasn't built for the speed of SaaS & AI scale-ups.

You need a senior hire. So you engage a search firm. And then the real frustration begins.

  • Multi-month timelines for roles you needed filled yesterday.

  • Great candidates dropping out halfway through.

  • Firms that don't understand the pace of your world.

  • Searches that start from zero - every time.

  • You know exactly what you need but can't seem to find it.

  • The feeling that you're serving the search, not the other way around.

We built Carter James to fix this.

The problem

Executive search wasn't built for the speed of SaaS & AI scale-ups.

You need a senior hire. So you engage a search firm. And then the real frustration begins.

  • Multi-month timelines for roles you needed filled yesterday.

  • Great candidates dropping out halfway through.

  • Firms that don't understand the pace of your world.

  • Searches that start from zero - every time.

  • You know exactly what you need but can't seem to find it.

  • The feeling that you're serving the search, not the other way around.

We built Carter James to fix this.

The solution

We believe scale-ups deserve an executive search partner that moves at their pace.

So we built it.

Carter James exists because we got tired of watching great companies slow down for search firms that couldn't keep up.

Through years of building relationships, via our network, events, podcasts, deep 1:1 conversations, and active presence in SaaS and AI communities, we already know many of the best executives before your mandate exists.

The solution

We believe scale-ups deserve an executive search partner that moves at their pace.

So we built it.

Carter James exists because we got tired of watching great companies slow down for search firms that couldn't keep up.

Through years of building relationships, via our network, events, podcasts, deep 1:1 conversations, and active presence in SaaS and AI communities, we already know many of the best executives before your mandate exists.

The solution

We believe scale-ups deserve an executive search partner that moves at their pace.

So we built it.

Carter James exists because we got tired of watching great companies slow down for search firms that couldn't keep up.

Through years of building relationships, via our network, events, podcasts, deep 1:1 conversations, and active presence in SaaS and AI communities, we already know many of the best executives before your mandate exists.

How it works

A pragmatic approach to executive hiring

Step 1

We listen

You share what you need; the role, the context, what success looks like. We share what we already know about the market and who's in it.

Step 2

We move

If we know the right candidates, we go straight to conversations. If the search requires more work, we do exactly what's needed.

Step 3

You hire

You meet exceptional, relevant candidates, make a confident decision, and get back to building your scale-up with the right leaders.

Book a meeting

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What founders and candidates ask before we start.

What roles do you focus on?

Senior and leadership roles across all disciplines—CEO, CTO, CFO, VP Sales, VP Product, and similar positions. If it's a hire that shapes your next phase of growth, it's probably a fit.

Do you only work with SaaS and AI companies?

Yes. It's not a limitation, it's our edge. We know the market, we know the people, and we know what good looks like in this space.

What does "candidate first" actually mean?

It means we don't force every search through the same rigid process. We don't add steps to justify fees. We adapt to what your search actually needs—and we skip what doesn't add value.

What if we already have internal candidates?

Good. We can help you assess them honestly, benchmark against external options, or simply validate that you already have the right person. Not every search needs to be a full search.

What geographies do you cover?

The Netherlands and Germany primarily. Our network runs deep in the Benelux and DACH SaaS and AI ecosystems.

Your next executive is probably someone we already know

Schedule a meeting to talk through a role

Start a conversation

Close-up of a dark green leaf showing its textured surface and central vein against a muted background.
Smiling young woman with long hair standing against a dark green background, holding a finger to her chin.
Close-up of a dark green leaf showing its textured surface and central vein against a muted background.
A smiling woman with her arms crossed, standing against a dark green background. She has long, dark hair.
Close-up of a dark green leaf showing its textured surface and central vein against a muted background.
Close-up of a tree stump showing growth rings and a textured brown wood surface.
Smiling young man with short hair poses against a dark background, wearing a green button-up shirt.
Close-up of a tree stump showing growth rings and a textured brown wood surface.
A smiling young man with crossed arms, wearing a plaid shirt and white t-shirt, poses against a dark background.

Your next executive is probably someone we already know

Schedule a meeting to talk through a role

Start a conversation

Close-up of a dark green leaf showing its textured surface and central vein against a muted background.
Smiling young woman with long hair standing against a dark green background, holding a finger to her chin.
Close-up of a dark green leaf showing its textured surface and central vein against a muted background.
A smiling woman with her arms crossed, standing against a dark green background. She has long, dark hair.
Close-up of a dark green leaf showing its textured surface and central vein against a muted background.
Close-up of a tree stump showing growth rings and a textured brown wood surface.
Smiling young man with short hair poses against a dark background, wearing a green button-up shirt.
Close-up of a tree stump showing growth rings and a textured brown wood surface.
A smiling young man with crossed arms, wearing a plaid shirt and white t-shirt, poses against a dark background.

Your next executive is probably someone we already know

Schedule a meeting to talk through a role

Start a conversation

Close-up of a dark green leaf showing its textured surface and central vein against a muted background.
Smiling young woman with long hair standing against a dark green background, holding a finger to her chin.
Close-up of a dark green leaf showing its textured surface and central vein against a muted background.
A smiling woman with her arms crossed, standing against a dark green background. She has long, dark hair.
Close-up of a dark green leaf showing its textured surface and central vein against a muted background.
Close-up of a tree stump showing growth rings and a textured brown wood surface.
Smiling young man with short hair poses against a dark background, wearing a green button-up shirt.
Close-up of a tree stump showing growth rings and a textured brown wood surface.
A smiling young man with crossed arms, wearing a plaid shirt and white t-shirt, poses against a dark background.