B
Bespoke Partners
Retained search for PE-backed softwareExecutive search built around private equity-backed software companies, with dedicated PE practices for portfolio leadership.
Visit site →The firms that find product leaders
8 executive search firms for CPOs, CPTOs, VPs of Engineering and VPs of Product. Listed alphabetically.
Updated November 3, 2026
I'm hiring a
for a
C
Christian & Timbers
Retained search for AI and technology leadersSearches for CPOs, CPTOs and VPs of Engineering at AI-native, venture-backed and PE-backed companies. Tracked the early rise of the CPTO role.
Visit site →D
Daversa Partners
Search for growth-stage techExecutive search for growth-stage and venture-backed technology companies, with practices in the US and Europe.
Visit site →E
Egon Zehnder
Global leadership advisoryGlobal search and leadership advisory with a dedicated Chief Product Officer practice, and published guidance on when to combine product and technology under a CPTO.
Visit site →H
Heidrick & Struggles
Global retained searchGlobal retained executive search with a technology officers practice. Its Business Talent Group arm places interim leaders while a search runs.
Visit site →R
Riviera Partners
Engineering and product leadersRetained search focused on engineering and product leadership at venture-backed companies, from first VP of Engineering to CTO.
Visit site →S
Spencer Stuart
Global executive searchGlobal executive search and leadership consulting for boards and C-suites, including product and technology officers at large companies.
Visit site →T
True Search
Growth-stage executive searchRetained executive search for growth-stage companies and their investors, with a data-driven process.
Visit site →Listed alphabetically. Descriptions summarize each firm's public positioning. Check the firm's site for current practices.
CPO, VP of Product or CPTO?
Decide the seat before you call a firm. The wrong title sends the search to the wrong pool.
Chief Product Officer
Executive team seat. Owns product strategy and often P&L. Fits companies where product drives revenue and the CEO wants a strategic partner.
Over 1/2
of CPOs hold P&L responsibility.
CPO Insights Report 2026
VP of Product
Runs the PM team and the roadmap. Fits companies where the CEO or founder still sets product direction and needs execution at scale.
7,300+
open PM roles at tech companies, the most since 2022.
TrueUp via Lenny's Newsletter, Mar 2026
CPTO
1 leader for product and engineering. Fits highly technical products, PE-backed speed, and CEOs without a product or tech background.
Small pool
Few candidates bring both skill sets, and the scope risks burnout.
Egon Zehnder
6 questions to ask any search firm
- Which CPO or VP Engineering searches have you closed in the last 12 months, and at what stage?
- How will you test AI fluency: real products shipped, beyond the vocabulary?
- Who in your network has run a product org through a platform or pricing change?
- What base, bonus and equity will it take to move the people you have in mind?
- How do you handle off-limits companies, and how many of our targets does that rule out?
- What is your guarantee if the hire leaves in the first year?
Not sure which firm fits?
Tell us the seat, stage and timeline. We'll point you to the 2 or 3 firms that match.