Episode 3: How Executive Search Is Evolving For HR Leaders In Startups & Scaleups - with Brad Warga and Ben Dewar

2025-10-22

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In this episode, host Jess Yuen and co-founder Andrew Bartlow are joined by executive search experts Brad Warga (Heidrick & Struggles) and Ben Dewar (NU Advisory Partners) for an in-depth conversation about executive search in human resources within tech companies. Brad and Ben share their extensive insights into hiring Chief People Officers and senior HR talent, covering changes in candidate profiles, evolving business needs, and what...

Brad and Ben share their extensive insights into hiring Chief People Officers and senior HR talent, covering changes in candidate profiles, evolving business needs, and what today’s market truly values in HR leaders.

Key Topics & Discussion Highlights:

Meet Brad Warga and Ben Dewar, seasoned executive search professionals with unique perspectives on late-stage enterprise and early-stage venture-backed HR hiring.
How the talent market for HR executives is evolving, especially for Chief People Officers in tech and private equity.
The growing demand for HR leaders who combine business acumen with functional depth and how candidate requirements have shifted post-pandemic.
Insights on how companies are tackling the AI talent war, including strategies for recruiting the elusive “$100 million AI engineer.”
The realities behind HR job titles - Head of People, VP, Chief People Officer - and what actually matters when it comes to level and impact.
Trends in compensation and equity for senior HR roles, how executive search firms guide clients through sticker shock, and the importance of data in negotiations.
The rising expectation for in-office work and the impact of location requirements on the talent pool.
Practical advice for HR professionals hoping to accelerate their careers, including where to develop the business skills that modern leaders need.
How to get on the radar of top executive search firms, and why cultivating long-term relationships with recruiters benefits your career in the long run.

Whether you’re leading an HR function or aspiring to your first C-level role in people leadership, this episode offers practical insights for navigating the current landscape of executive HR talent.

Contact Information:

Brad Warga: Heidrick & Struggles and on LinkedIn
Ben Dewar: NU Advisory Partners and on LinkedIn

About The People Leader Accelerator Podcast

Our goal with this podcast is simple: to help people leaders navigate the messy, complex, and deeply rewarding work of leading teams and organizations with more clarity, confidence, and community.

Whether you’re the first HR hire at a startup or an experienced executive at a company with scale, you’ll find actionable insights you can use right away.

We can’t wait to share these conversations with you.

Welcome to the journey!

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