BrainWorks is a top executive search firm with 35 years of experience partnering with organizations to build leadership teams that drive measurable results. Recognized in the Hunt Scanlon top 50, BrainWorks is an industry leader in successfully sourcing and delivering top talent across industries and functions.
Our reputation is built on our commitment to quality, speed, and results. We specialize in identifying high-impact leaders, including hard-to-reach passive talent, and consistently deliver exceptional hires with an average time-to-fill of 42 days. Our rigorous, relationship-driven approach ensures that every search is aligned not only to the role, but to the broader business strategy and long-term goals of our clients.
BrainWorks partners with leading private equity firms and their portfolio companies, serving as a trusted advisor across the investment lifecycle. We work closely with investors to identify and execute the human capital strategies most critical to achieving their investment thesis—accelerating value creation, scaling leadership teams, and positioning companies for successful exits. Our deep understanding of PE environments allows us to move with urgency while maintaining the precision required for transformational hires.
Beyond private equity, BrainWorks secures talent for publicly held and privately owned companies in Accounting & Finance, AI, Data & Analytics, Commodities, Consumer Products, Human Resources, Industrial, Legal, Medical Device, Sales & Marketing, Supply Chain & Operations, and Technology, delivering the same high standard of execution and partnership.
Another differentiator that BrainWorks offers is the ability to help C Suite Executives build their teams under them to drive business performance. All great leaders know that a great strategy is only as good as the team you have executing that strategy. Our diverse practice areas uniquely situate BrainWorks to fill the team under the leader with top talent while utilizing the same rigor, processes and 30 day timeline as we do for C-Level.
In addition to our Private Equity Practice, BrainWorks has dedicated practices in Accounting & Finance, Accounting & Finance – Interim, Analytics, Data Science & Data Governance, Commodities Technology & Trading, Consumer Products, CRM & Direct Marketing, Cybersecurity, Data & Data Insights, eCommerce, Digital Media & Entertainment, Financial Technology, Go-To-Market Search – Private Equity/Insurance and Financial Services, Human Resources, Legal, Market Research & Consumer Insights, Medical Device, Real Estate, Infrastructure and Private Investments, Sales and Marketing, Supply Chain & Operations, and Technology.
BrainWorks is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Hiring diverse employees in an environment that offers a deep sense of belonging is proven to lead to an increase in productivity, morale, customer engagement, professional satisfaction, and growth. For nearly three decades, BrainWorks has led the industry in sourcing and placing diverse talent. By harnessing proven strategies and sourcing a diverse candidate pool, BrainWorks helps businesses of all sizes find, attract, and ultimately hire talented, diverse staff.
Our team is committed to bringing an unmatched level of integrity to every search and placement. Please take some time to get to know us!
BrainWorks’ approach is time sensitive, cost-effective, and guarantees results!
Private equity firms are placing increasing emphasis on leadership as a primary driver of value creation, reshaping how talent is evaluated and deployed across portfolio companies. The role of human capital has moved beyond support function status to become a central component of investment strategy and execution. As a result, firms are adopting more structured,
Warren, NJ-based executive search firm BrainWorks has appointed Jordan Kaliher will lead its consumer packaged goods (CPG) practice, succeeding company founder Andy Miller, who has guided the practice since its inception more than three decades ago. He will shift his full time focus to CEO. “Jordan’s appointment marks a natural next chapter for the practice,” the firm said
Artificial intelligence is progressing more quickly than most organizations can keep pace with. From predictive analytics to generative models, companies everywhere are racing to establish their AI strategies. But while many are investing heavily in data, technology, and infrastructure, one critical piece of the equation is being overlooked: the human one, according to a recent
Warren, NJ-based executive search firm BrainWorks has named Kelly Maslow as sales & marketing practice leader, and Bowen Knarr, interim accounting & finance practice leader, as vice presidents. “This strategic move reflects not only their individual achievements but also the significant influence they’ve had across the entire BrainWorks organization,” the search firm said. “The decision to elevate a
BrainWorks, a Hunt Scanlon top 50 executive search firm, has announced that Jordan Kaliher will lead the firm’s Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) practice, succeeding company founder Andy Miller, who has guided the practice since its inception more than three decades ago and will shift his full time focus to CEO. The CPG practice holds a unique place in the firm’s
May 2024 – BrainWorks, renowned for its personalized approach to executive searches, is delighted to announce Practice Leader Jax Willey’s instrumental role in Mack Moldings appointing Josh Pang as President of their Northern Division. This partnership stands as a testament to BrainWorks’ unwavering commitment to uniting exceptional talent with forward-thinking organizations. Mack Molding, a powerhouse
November, 2023 – BrainWorks, a leading boutique executive search firm, announced the successful placement of Heather Middleton as the Vice President of Regulatory and Litigation counsel at Wedbush Securities, a renowned financial services firm with a legacy dating back to 1955. Heather Middleton brings over 15 years of experience in traditional law settings, specializing in
October 20, 2023 – Warren, NJ-based executive search firm BrainWorks has assisted in the recruitment of Catherine O’Brien as the new CFO of RightCrowd. Todd Shiner, VP, partner – accounting and finance, private equity PortCo. search for BrainWorks, and his team led the search for RightCrowd. Ms. O’Brien has experience in partnering with private equity firms, conducting M&A transactions, leading growth
August, 2023 – BrainWorks, a prominent boutique executive search firm, announced its instrumental role in the appointment of Todd Berkland as chief development officer at Visterra Landscape Group, a platform created by Trinity Hunt Partners. This significant placement highlights BrainWorks’ dedication to connecting exceptional professionals with thriving organizations. Visterra Landscape Group, a platform initiated by
Blogs & Insights
Foundation Wellness Case Study
Simply Good Case Study
Building Data and Analytics Teams to Accelerate Growth
GreenSlate Case Study
Discovery Research Doc Review
Yancey Case Study
BrainWorks Search Overview
Executive Search One Pager
CDO One Pager
PE and PortCo Placements
Practice Leaders
Retained Search
The Path to Top Talent
Case Study: Sales & Marketing – Simply Good Foods Placement Summary
Case Study: Building Data & Analytics Teams to Accelerate Growth
Case Study: Sales & Marketing – Foundation Wellness
Hiring Executives in the Age of Amazon
Why your CPG Business Needs Top Data and Analytics Executive Talent
Why Working With a Boutique Executive Recruiting Firm Is a Worthwhile Investment
How Much Is Mediocre Talent Costing Your Business?
Hiring for Experience at the Executive Level: What You Need to Know
What Qualities Differentiate a Superior Recruiter from an Average One? Andy Miller’s Top Ten List
Why Hiring Data Science and Analytics Experts Is an Absolute Necessity
What Are the Benefits of Partnering with an Industry-Specialized Executive Recruiting Firm?