About Oakstone

Global executive search for SaaS companies hiring GTM leaders and teams.

Mission Statement: To enhance the careers, fortunes and lives of all those we work and play with

We enable SaaS companies to identify, attract and successfully onboard critical Leadership and GTM hires across EMEA and North America.

Our Experience

We’ve helped over 475 SaaS companies hire thousands of GTM leaders and teams over the last 30 years.

We focus on results-driven executive search strategies to ensure that we deliver high-quality candidates and optimal results.

Testimonials

Our Partners

80% of the clients we work with feature in the Gartner Magic Quadrant or Forrester Wave Reports.

We work with these companies to source, headhunt, and attract talent globally, building and enhancing their teams in executive leadership and go-to-market (GTM) roles.

As an executive recruitment firm, we believe in building global networks of talented individuals for Saas market leaders. We do what we do because we care about the people we find to work for your business; we want them to believe what your company believes in, so they are passionate about the opportunities you offer them.

Explore Partners

Oakstone’s Structured Methodology

Oakstone provides executive search services to meet your specific recruitment needs. Our client managers will coordinate your end-to-end recruitment process so you can focus on managing your business. We use the following search methodology to ensure we find the best person for the brief.

Our structured methodology is a tried and trusted search-based recruitment method, enabling us to find the right candidates for your role.

Our research is always undertaken within agreed-upon boundaries, and we will adhere to any “hands-off” policies or other restrictions you wish to implement.

Oakstone works hard to understand the culture and story of your company so we can replicate that across all hires. Whether that’s sales, marketing, customer success, or consulting in the UK, Spain, Germany, France or the Netherlands, you only have to come to us with that vision and tell it once, and then we can replicate this over and over again.

Week 1

Briefing

Full briefing for the position, including a clear distinction of your expectations for the hire, along with gathering key information required to ‘sell’ the opportunity.

Week 2

Research & Outreach

Market-mapping to identify the target audience across industry segments and company-alignment (domain/size/scale/stage/culture). Begin approach work.

Week 3 - 4

Qualification

Rigorously asses the skills and cultural- alignment of candidates. We would expect a minimum of 3 touch-points (inc. full qualification ‘interview’) for each candidate before introduction.

Week 4

Shortlist

Present candidates including a detailed scoring system based on key criteria. Optimum number of 4 - 6 introductions (more if preferred).

Week 5 - 6

Manage Process

Work hand in hand to manage people through the recruitment process, ensuring a seamless candidate experience with minimum ‘fall out’.

Week 7

Secure Candidate

Manage negotiation of remuneration and guide the selected candidate through resignation and a counteroffer. Finalise start date.

Global Reach

With offices in the US and UK, Oakstone International use our highly targeted structured methodology to source the right talent for your business, wherever they may be. Our global reach enables us to hire in all corners of the globe.

UK, France, Germany & Northern Europe

Southern Europe

USA & Canada

Asia Pacific

The Rest of the World

Our Ethics

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

Achieving diversity in the workforce is a significant aim for any successful business. We aim to be the recruiter of choice for high-quality, talented individuals, regardless of gender, sexuality, race, or religion.

Find out more about Oakstone and DEI.

Collaboration

We work with all parties in a spirit of Teamwork to achieve the best possible outcome. We learn, innovate, lead change, and exceed expectations through our collaboration.

Our People

At Oakstone, we respect the differences among our staff and strive to create a comfortable environment where employees feel encouraged to be their best selves. In addition, we strive to create an atmosphere where learning and development are at the forefront in an inclusive culture that nurtures people of all genders and backgrounds.

Meet our team

Care

We take care of all the people we work with. This care is fundamental to our approach to every interaction. We genuinely care about the impact of our actions and work to ensure the well-being of all our stakeholders.

We show empathy by actively seeking to understand our people's and Client Partners' needs.

Integrity

We live by the principle that everyone is born with an intrinsic knowledge of what is the “right thing to do” in any given situation and to act on it accordingly. Therefore, we make every decision based on this principle.

We treat people fairly and with respect. We are open and honest with one another.

Diverse, Ethical and Inclusive Employment Practices

Oakstone practices equal and ethical employment internally and to all our clients. This means equal opportunities regardless of a person’s background, beliefs, disabilities, socio-economic status, gender, or any other factors.

Oakstone International is committed to eliminating illegal and unjust labour practices within technology-driven sectors. We aim to actively engage with and foster a diverse pool of talented professionals who can thrive in inclusive and supportive workplaces. As an international search firm, we strive to create an environment where individuals across the SaaS sector can fully utilise their skills and reach their utmost potential.

Oakstone’s approach focuses on expertise, professional qualities, and the needs of our clients to find the best people. We embrace equality, diversity and inclusivity and encourage everyone we work with to do the same.

As a global organisation, our team adopts unbiased employment practices that are both responsible and successful. Oakstone believes that people must work in rewarding and safe environments where they can belong and be their true selves. We are passionate about value and respect, internally and in the clients we partner with.

Corporate Social Responsibility

At Oakstone International, we are deeply committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and believe in creating a sustainable and equitable future for all.

Our dedication to CSR is demonstrated through our focus on ethical business practices, our commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, and our continuous efforts to support environmental sustainability. We work diligently to ensure our partnerships align with our values and that our clients benefit from a workforce that reflects the richness of our society. By integrating CSR into our business model, we strive to make a meaningful and lasting impact, both within our industry and beyond.

3050* Trees planted since July 2022

*2780 trees donated via One Tree Planted and 270 trees donated via JUST ONE Tree.

Our Commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance Principles

At Oakstone International, we understand that effective leadership is crucial to building sustainable, ethical, and socially responsible organisations. As a leading executive search firm, we are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in every aspect of our work.

Environmental Responsibility

We recognise the importance of environmental stewardship in today’s business landscape. We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint, minimising waste, and promoting sustainable practices both in our offices and throughout our process. We also prioritise placing leaders who share our commitment to environmental sustainability and can drive positive change within their organisations.

Why JUST ONE tree?

JUST ONE Tree is a non-profit initiative removing CO2 from the atmosphere and reversing biodiversity loss through global reforestation. They plant trees in areas severely affected by deforestation to maximise the effect on reducing global warming. In the process, they help to provide agricultural education and sustainable incomes to local communities.

But they don’t stop there. JUST ONE Tree concentrates on restoring the entire ecosystem by planting on land and in the oceans, and they also focus on helping to shape the next generation of planet-conscious thinkers by bringing environmental education into the classrooms with their free teaching resources and JUST ONE Tree Day.

“There is always more we can do to be accountable and committed to contributing to the well-being of communities and society through various environmental and social measures.

Partnering with JUST ONE tree, a non-profit organisation focused on global reforestation, allows Oakstone to contribute directly to restoring and helping some of the world’s most vulnerable areas.

JUST ONE tree makes it easy for individuals and businesses to give back to the environment, to create a healthier climate, protect diversity and help reforestation efforts. They provide measurable impacts so you can see exactly how your donations are being used and where.” - Paul Rayner, Oakstone CEO.

FAQs

There are several reasons why businesses choose Oakstone International for their executive search needs:
Extensive network
We have an extensive network of contacts and relationships across SaaS and FinTech. This allows us to identify and attract top-tier talent quickly and efficiently.
Customised solutions
We tailor our search strategies to meet the unique needs and requirements of each of our clients. We understand that every business is different, and we work closely with our clients to ensure we source the people to match.
Confidentiality
We understand the importance of confidentiality in the executive search process. We take great care to ensure that our clients' search activities are kept confidential, and that their brand and reputation are protected throughout the process.
Reputation & proven track record
We love hearing back from our partners and candidates about their experience with Oakstone International.
Executive search firms differ from traditional recruitment agencies due to their ‘candidate-driven’ framework. Recruitment agencies tend to work with people and candidates actively looking for new positions and therefore are likely to apply for roles on job boards and company career pages. They will then qualify and sort these candidates before introducing the profiles to their clients. Executive search firms will conduct searches for passive candidates who are not necessarily looking for new opportunities but are potentially the best fit for the role. Executive search firms are not reliant on candidates looking for a new move but instead more focused on finding the best people. Executive search firms will regularly qualify the candidate on some level before introducing them to the opportunity. If a candidate is interested in the opportunity and meets the requirements, they will be introduced to the client.
Most executive search firms, including Oakstone, will offer a more comprehensive service, including supporting and consulting on the interview process and package negotiations.
Talk to at least three firms to find the right executive search firm. Ask for recommendations and do your research online. Consider their areas of specialisation, success record and culture.
Create a list of criteria you consider important and prepare some questions so you can qualify them. Then, ask them to talk you through their process and ask for relevant case studies and testimonials. Executive search is an investment, and you should choose an executive search firm that will invest time into getting to know you and your company – acting as an extension of your team, ensuring you get the right hires onboard.
The cost of an executive search varies considerably from 20% of the base salary to 35%-40% of the total package. Companies can expect to pay around 25% -30 % of the role’s first year’s income.
The cost will depend on the type of executive search agreement (contingent, retained, RPO), the complexity of the role and seniority.
The time each executive search take varies depending on the firm you choose to work with and the difficulty of the search itself. Typically, an executive search takes between 6 and 12 weeks from the initial briefing to the signing of the contract.
Oakstone’s average executive search process takes 40 days from briefing to the signing of the contract.