A Process Built for
High-Stakes Mandates.
Every Alder Search and Alder Talent mandate follows the same four-phase methodology. Retained. Exclusive. Product-specific, for VC and PE, from the first conversation to the first 90 days post-placement.
Mandate Alignment
We start by getting under the skin of your investment thesis and value creation plan. We ask hard questions, challenge the brief where needed, and make sure we're searching for the right person — not just the person the brief describes — before any outreach begins.
Market Mapping
Our proprietary network of product executives and practitioners spans every major sector, from VC-backed startups to PE-backed scale-ups. We map the full universe of qualified candidates including those not actively seeking a move and assess each against your criteria.
Rigorous Assessment
Every shortlisted candidate undergoes structured competency interviews, reference validation, and a product-specific leadership assessment for VC and PE. We evaluate not just capability, but cultural fit with your sponsor model and the portfolio company's stage.
Placement & Onboarding
We manage the offer process, navigate competing interests, and remain engaged through the first 90 days post-placement. Our retention guarantee reflects our confidence in the quality of every placement we make.
The right CEO at a portfolio company is worth more than any operational improvement. We treat every search as if the entire investment depends on it because often, it does.
The Reasons Sponsors
Come Back.
Executive search is a relationship business. The firms that consistently deliver are those with the deepest networks, the sharpest judgment, and the most relevant experience. We have built Alder Search to excel on all three.
VC & PE-Exclusive, Product Only
Every search we accept is for a VC or PE investor or portfolio company, and every mandate is product. Our network, our methodology, and our judgment are calibrated entirely to your world.
Operators, Not Just Recruiters
Every Alder partner has direct operating experience building product teams, and direct investment experience in venture capital or private equity. We've sat in the boardroom, managed 100-day plans, and felt the pressure of a hold period. We assess candidates the way a sponsor would — not the way a recruiter would.
Retained, Always
We do not conduct contingency searches. Every mandate is exclusive and retained, which means our full attention, our entire network, and our complete methodology are deployed on your behalf from the moment we shake hands.
Proprietary Network
Over 15 years, we have built a proprietary database of more than 12,000 product executives and practitioners across every sector, from VC-backed startups to PE-backed scale-ups. The best candidates are rarely on the market — they are in our network.
Ready to Engage Alder?
Whether you have an active mandate, are preparing for a transaction, or want to explore how Alder Search or Alder Talent can support your portfolio — we welcome the conversation.
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