Principal Executive Recruiter

Ladders; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 210,000 - 336,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Collaborative culture

Lead leadership hiring

In-person collaboration

Safety commitment

Training opportunities

Job summary

Ladders is seeking a Principal Executive Recruiter to own senior-level executive search strategy and execution across the organization, focusing on Director through C-suite hiring. You will advise executives with market intelligence and shape interview processes, succession planning, and the broader talent function.

The role emphasizes in-person collaboration in Seattle and shaping leadership hiring practices while maintaining a strong dedication to safety and quality in all searches.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of recruiting experience with a focus on executive search.
• Proven track record in end-to-end Director- to C-level searches.
• Hands-on structuring and closing of executive compensation packages.
• Experience as primary search partner to C-suite and VP-level leaders.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end search lifecycle for Director-level and above roles.
• Design and calibrate executive interview processes.
• Advise executive leaders with talent intelligence and market insights.
• Structure and negotiate executive offers in partnership with Finance.
• Collaborate on succession planning and leadership workforce planning.
• Share market intelligence with the broader Talent Acquisition team.
• Mentor and coach recruiters and lead training initiatives.

Skills

Executive search

Leadership hiring

Market intelligence

Interview design

Talent strategy

Job description

For our client, we are seeking a Principal Executive Recruiter to join the team of a leader in the Energy & Utilities space. This role will own senior-level executive search strategy and execution across the organization, with a particular focus on Director through C-suite hiring. You will serve as a trusted advisor to executive leaders, bringing market intelligence, structured search discipline, and a strong understanding of leadership talent needs. The position also plays an important role in shaping interview processes, succession planning, and the broader talent acquisition function.

Location: Seattle, WA

Compensation: $210,000 – $336,000 annually

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end search lifecycle for Director-level and above roles
• Design and calibrate executive interview processes
• Advise executive leaders with talent intelligence and market insights
• Structure and negotiate executive offers in partnership with Finance
• Collaborate on succession planning and leadership workforce planning
• Share market intelligence with the broader Talent Acquisition team
• Mentor and coach recruiters and lead training initiatives

Qualifications

• 10+ years of recruiting experience, with a focus on executive search
• Proven track record in end-to-end Director- to C-level searches
• Experience as a primary search partner to C-suite and VP-level leaders
• Hands-on experience structuring and closing executive compensation packages
• Deep sourcing expertise for niche and senior talent pools
• Ability to run effective searches without reliance on specific tools
• Experience using AI for research and sourcing with high-quality output

Benefits

• Collaborative and integrity-driven work culture
• Opportunity to shape leadership hiring practices
• In-person work to enhance collaboration and empathy
• Commitment to safety in all operations
• Access to ongoing training and development opportunities

Our client is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification—your background could be exactly what this team needs.