Head of Leadership Search, Business Recruiting

August 1, 2026

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About the position

We are seeking a Head of Executive Search to build and lead a centralized, specialized function responsible for global leadership hiring across sales, marketing, technical solutions, and G&A. This role will bring consistency, rigor, and strategic ownership to Senior Director, VP, and SVP hiring while partnering closely with executive stakeholders to deliver high-impact talent outcomes. You will elevate assessment and decision-making practices, develop proactive executive talent pipelines, and generate market intelligence that informs hiring and organizational strategy. This is a high-visibility opportunity to shape how Datadog attracts, evaluates, and hires senior leadership globally, with potential to expand scope to Director+ and executive-level searches over time. At Datadog, we place value in our office culture - the relationships and collaboration it builds and the creativity it brings to the table. We operate as a hybrid workplace to ensure our Datadogs can create a work-life harmony that best fits them.

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end strategy and execution for Senior Director, VP, and SVP searches, with dotted line to APAC
Recruit highly confidential searches end to end, taking on execution responsibilities when needed
Build and lead a specialized executive search team, including defining operating rhythms and performance expectations
Establish and operationalize a standardized leadership hiring playbook, including executive assessment frameworks, confidentiality protocols, and stakeholder governance
Partner directly with C-suite, VP, and SVP stakeholders to drive alignment, calibration, and high-quality hiring decisions
Develop proactive, long-term pipelines for critical leadership roles while producing market intelligence to inform talent and organizational strategy
Define and execute an agency engagement and executive candidate closing strategy to reduce external spend and deliver a high-touch candidate experience

Requirements

Experienced executive search leader with a track record of delivering Senior Director+ hires in complex, global organizations
Skilled at building and scaling teams, with the ability to set clear standards and drive consistent execution
Trusted partner to senior executives, with strong communication skills and the ability to influence and navigate complex decision-making
Adept at executive assessment, market mapping, and proactive pipeline development
Data-driven in approach, using metrics and insights to improve hiring outcomes and inform strategy
High integrity operator with experience managing confidential and sensitive searches
Passionate about technology and want to grow your skills

Benefits

Opportunity to build and scale a global executive search function from the ground up
High visibility role partnering with executive leadership on critical hiring decisions
Ability to shape leadership hiring strategy and influence organizational growth
Professional development through complex, high-impact search engagements
Collaborative, cross-functional work environment
Exposure to global markets and leadership talent ecosystems
healthcare
dental
parental planning
mental health benefits
a 401(k) plan and match
paid time off
fitness reimbursements
a discounted employee stock purchase plan

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