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

Leadership team having a zoom call

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
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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.

  • Oakstone has over 30 years search and recruitment experience in the technology and B2B SaaS sector, sourcing GTM Leadership and teams for growing SaaS companies.

    Oakstone has assisted over 475 SaaS companies hire professionals across EMEA, the US and APAC, covering a broad spectrum of GTM roles (sales, marketing, presales, customer success).

    For more information of specific experience references in your SaaS vertical, geographies or roles you are looking to hire, contact our team.

  • 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 20% -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.

  • Here are just a few examples of client references. You can find more here

    “Over the past four years, Oakstone has sourced many key hires for us in EMEA across all departments – key managers, sales executives, pre-sales and professional services team members. Their focus on delivery, cultural fit, background checks, transparency and overall professionalism fits well with our own company ethos. This has reflected in the high retention of people we’ve hired through Oakstone”

    Rob Bernshteyn - Coupa Software CEO

    "One of the things I've done a lot of is open up US companies into Europe. I can think of many examples where I needed to hire rapidly. Oakstone were outstanding; they got me the right people at the right time. Two of the hires that they made for me I've hired into other roles in companies in my portfolio. It's really about the quality. If you get good people, particularly in sales, they onboard quickly, you ramp them quickly, they get to quota quickly, and you can just be relying on that skillset.

    I've used Oakstone when I was an operator, when I was running international sales organisations, when I came out of full-time work, and now I am in a plural role as a board member/ chairman/ investor. They've always been consistent in being able to help me. That's why I come back to Oakstone an awful lot because I know that I can rely on the work that they do and the quality of the CVs and the people they put in front of me.

    What sets Oakstone apart from their competitors is their ability to be clear about the remit. Oakstone won't just take on any role. They know what they are experts in. That's a differentiator. It is that level of connection; the feedback you get is consistent, it's continual. So, you always know where you are in the cycle.”

    Martin Moran - Advisor, One Peak Partners Growth Investors & founding member at Salesforce.com

  • Yes, we have featured lists of the roles we have helped specific clients fill here www.oakstone.co.uk/clients.

  • Oakstone average time from briefing to signing of contracts for GTM leadership and commercial roles is 12 weeks.

  • Oakstone has a database of nearly 200,000 candidates in the SaaS sector, as well as strong personal networks belonging to each of our consultants. Our presence and experience within the SaaS space is strong and we are confident that even if the right person for your company is not in our network, we can find them and present them your opportunity.

  • Whether you are a SaaS company looking to hire one GTM leader or 10+ GTM hires over the next 6 months, Oakstone International have the ability to create tailored recruitment plans to fit your requirements. Our structured methodology and capabilities allow us to conduct searches which are bespoke, catering to the requirements of your organisations.

    Our team work in collaboration, and although you will have one dedicated Divisional Director or Managing Consultant manging your recruitment processes, multiple Oakstone consultants are able to work on your roles if needed to keep up with your demand.

    Oakstone have assisted Coupa with over 110 global hires over the last 10 years, Tekion with 18 hires across the US within a 10-month period and HiBob with over 18 hires in the last 2 years.

  • Oakstone International have assisted SaaS companies across the global hire the first people in regions where they are not yet established.

    Examples include Coupa, assisting them hire the first people in Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and Denmark.

    Oakstone International assisted ServiceMax hire the first people in region in France, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, Spain, UAE, Japan and Australia.

    For more examples please reach out to our team for a discussion.