Riviera Partners

Firm Overview

Riviera Partners is a global driver of innovation for today’s most influential companies—expertly placing executive talent in the crucial areas of IT, software engineering, product management, security, AI/ML/Data, and design. Riviera combines over two decades of recruiting expertise with a proprietary platform that uses machine learning to score and predict the best candidate for a company’s specific needs, driving successful outcomes. As a result, the company has become the go-to talent partner for leading private equity investors, venture capitalists, public companies, and technology innovators.

News Briefings

Executive Search Continues Its Confident Climb As Transformation Takes Center Stage

The executive search industry entered 2026 from a position of strength. According to Hunt Scanlon, fee revenue at the 50 largest executive search firms in the U.S. / Americas – the global talent sector’s largest and most dominant region – jumped 11 percent last year, topping out at $6.69 billion. Seventy-five percent of search firms...

Riviera Partners Names Managing Partner and General Manager of Paragon

San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has appointed Chris Rice as managing partner and general manager of Paragon, the firm’s global high-volume recruiting division supporting technology founders, leaders, and investors. “Talent remains the clearest advantage in the AI era,” said Michael Newcomer, chief executive officer of Riviera Partners. “Companies...

AI Hiring in 2026: Talent, Pay & Readiness

Artificial intelligence is no longer a side initiative championed by innovation teams executive search consultants continue to tell Hunt Scanlon Media. It has become a strategic lever that shapes competitive positioning, operating models, and enterprise value. As adoption deepens, the conversation is shifting from experimentation to execution — from what AI can do to how...

Talent and Technology: A New Generation of Leadership Enters the C-Suite 

Riviera Partners recently surveyed more than 1,000 technology executives for its latest report, revealing a major shift in how leadership is structured. According to Riviera, AI, data, and cross-functional collaboration are pushing technology roles to the forefront of enterprise strategy. The report identifies five key positions now demanding space in the C-suite: Chief AI officer (CAIO), chief...

Riviera Partners Appoints Chief Operating Officer

San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has named Sandy Ma as chief operating officer. “Sandy has been at the heart of our growth—always bringing sharp strategy, a steady hand, and genuine care for the people she works with,” Riviera Partners said in a LinkedIn post. “In...

Riviera Partners Acquires Board and Technology (BaT) 

San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has acquired Board and Technology (BaT). The firm’s founder Olof Pripp has joined Riviera as a partner. Board and Technology will continue to operate under its name, co-branded as “Board and Technology – Powered by Riviera Partners.” Financial terms of...