Sector Practices
Private Capital Executive Search
Leadership hiring across private equity, private debt, credit and venture capital
Phoenix Search runs retained executive search for private capital firms and the businesses they back. We work with private equity houses, private debt and credit funds, and venture capital firms across Ireland, the UK and the US, hiring the partners, investment professionals and platform leaders who drive returns.
We also partner closely with PE and VC backed portfolio companies to hire C-suite executives and board members. A portfolio CFO, COO or CEO is often the single biggest lever on a value creation plan, and sponsors need those hires made quickly, confidentially and to a standard that stands up at exit.
Private capital talent is scarce and well rewarded. Strong candidates sit on carried interest and co-investment, and a move has to make sense against what they would leave behind. That calls for a search partner who understands fund economics as well as the role.
How we work with sponsors
Fund side. We map investment and platform teams by strategy, fund size and geography, and assess candidates on deal record, sourcing ability and cultural fit with the partnership.
Portfolio side. We hire CEOs, CFOs, COOs and non-executive directors for portfolio companies at entry, through the hold period and ahead of exit, working directly with deal teams and operating partners.
Speed and discretion. Sponsor timetables are tight. We run focused searches with clear shortlists and manage the close, including carry, co-invest and notice, from the start.
Roles we search for
Private equity, private debt, credit and venture capital firms:
- Partners, Managing Directors and investment professionals
- Heads of origination, portfolio management and capital formation
- CFOs, COOs, General Counsel and Heads of Investor Relations
- Operating partners and portfolio support leaders
PE and VC backed portfolio companies:
- CEOs, CFOs, COOs and Chief Revenue Officers
- Non-executive directors and board chairs
- Transformation and integration leaders for buy and build strategies
Insight: Ireland’s private equity market and more in our private equity insights.
Frequently asked questions
Do you hire for portfolio companies as well as funds?
Yes. A large share of our private capital work is C-suite and board hiring for PE and VC backed businesses, briefed by deal teams and operating partners.
Which strategies do you cover?
Buyout and growth equity, private debt and direct lending, credit and venture capital.
Can you move quickly around a transaction?
Yes. We regularly run searches to tight deal timetables, including leadership hires needed at completion.
