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Head of Leadership Search, Business Recruiting

Datadog

Boston, USonsite$180k-$275k/yrPosted May 28, 2026

At a glance

Highlights

  • High-visibility executive search leadership
  • Build global executive search function
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Cross-functional collaborative environment
  • Exposure to global markets

Why this role might suit you

The role offers a unique chance to shape global leadership hiring strategy at a leading observability platform, providing high visibility, cross-functional collaboration, and the opportunity to build a specialized executive search function from the ground up.

Skills

executive-searchtalent-acquisitionleadership-hiringmarket-intelligencestakeholder-managementconfidentiality-protocolspipeline-developmentdata-driven-hiringassessment-frameworksteam-buildingoperating-rhythmsperformance-expectationsagency-engagementcandidate-closingglobal-searchsenior-director-hiringvp-hiringsvp-hiringplaybook-creationstandardized-processstrategic-ownershiporganizational-strategy

About the role

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 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.

What You’ll Do:

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

Who You Are:

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

Datadog values people from all walks of life. We understand not everyone will meet all the above qualifications on day one. That's okay. If you’re passionate about technology and want to grow your skills, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits and Growth:

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

Benefits and Growth listed above may vary based on the country of your employment and the nature of your employment with Datadog.

Benefits and Growth listed above may vary based on the country of your employment and the nature of your employment with Datadog.

#LI-Hybrid

Datadog offers a competitive salary and equity package, and may include variable compensation. Actual compensation is based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience. In addition, Datadog offers a wide range of best in class, comprehensive and inclusive employee benefits for this role including healthcare, dental, parental planning, and mental health benefits, a 401(k) plan and match, paid time off, fitness reimbursements, and a discounted employee stock purchase plan.

The reasonably estimated yearly salary for this role at Datadog is:

$180,000—$275,000 USD

About Datadog:

Datadog is the leading observability and security platform for the AI era, providing businesses with unified visibility across the technology stack to manage complexity at scale. It brings applications, infrastructure, data, models, and security into one place, using AI to detect and resolve issues before they impact customers. Trusted globally by Fortune 500 companies and high-growth AI leaders, Datadog enables businesses to move faster with clarity and confidence. Learn more about #DatadogLife on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Datadog Learning Center.

Equal Opportunity at Datadog:

Datadog endeavors to make our Careers Page accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please complete this form. This form is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

Privacy and AI Guidelines:

Any information you submit to Datadog as part of your application will be processed in accordance with Datadog’s Applicant and Candidate Privacy Notice. For information on our AI policy, please visit Interviewing at Datadog AI Guidelines.

Compensation

This HR & Recruiting role pays $180k-$275k/yr. Within typical range for hr & recruiting roles in United States.

Questions about this role

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