WDA Careers / Founder & Executive Search
Founder & Executive Search
Operators who help founders and senior executives manage increasing complexity, strengthen execution and build for the next stage of the business.
Who we place
We focus on the operating roles closest to the decision-maker. These are the people who translate a founder's intent into a functioning organization: setting the cadence, owning the follow-through, and holding the detail that leadership cannot hold alone.
These hires carry outsized influence relative to their title. A strong one compounds the leadership team's capacity. A poor one quietly consumes it.
Why fit beyond the résumé matters
Capability matters. So do judgment, operating style, discretion, and the realities of working closely with a founder or executive under pressure.
We know the difference between a strong résumé and someone who can operate effectively in a demanding, high-trust environment — because we have worked in those environments ourselves.
Roles we search
- Chief of StaffThe operator closest to the founder or CEO.
- Business OperationsPlanning, cadence, and cross-functional delivery.
- Executive OperationsThe operating system of the executive office.
- Strategy & OperationsAnalysis paired with execution ownership.
Common questions
What kinds of companies do you work with?
Founder-led and executive-led organizations where the hire sits close to the principal. The common thread is trust and proximity rather than company stage or sector.
How is your process different from a typical recruiter?
We prioritize thoughtful outreach and a deliberately curated candidate pool over volume. Candidates for these roles are rarely browsing job postings, so the work is targeted rather than transactional.
Do you work outside New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles?
Yes. We are based in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, with deep roots in the Bay Area, and run searches for clients elsewhere, including remote and hybrid executive offices.