Cornerstone Search Associates has placed more than 1,200 SaaS sales professionals since 1996, with a 22-day average from search kickoff to accepted offer. Hiring managers and placed candidates describe the same pattern: no wasted submittals, candid feedback, and candidates who stay and produce.
Company names are withheld at client request. Roles, stages, timelines and outcomes are real — from the founding GTM hire through the C-suite, every search below was run personally by Rich Rosen.
Series A · Boston
Founding Account Executive
Series A data infrastructure platform
The challenge
Founder-led sales had produced the first fifteen customers, but the CEO was still running every deal. They needed a first seller who could close six-figure ACV without a playbook, a marketing team, or an SE to lean on.
The search
Rich mapped sellers who had been the first or second rep at an early-stage infrastructure company and had carried quota through the messy phase. Four candidates were submitted, each with a written account of their first-90-day pipeline at a pre-playbook company.
The outcome
The hire closed their first two enterprise deals inside one quarter and wrote the discovery framework the next three reps were onboarded onto.
4
Candidates submitted
19
Days to offer
2
Enterprise deals in Q1
Series C · Nationwide
Chief Revenue Officer
Series C vertical SaaS company
The challenge
Two prior VP of Sales hires had failed inside a year. The board wanted a revenue leader who had scaled past $30M ARR in a multi-product motion and could survive a hard CEO relationship.
The search
Every finalist ran a live working session on the company's actual pipeline and revenue model, then delivered a written 30/60/90 within 48 hours. Board observer and CEO scored diagnosis quality, not storytelling.
The outcome
The CRO rebuilt the forecast in the first month, replaced two of six regions, and the company hit plan the following fiscal year. Still in seat.
3
Finalists interviewed
26
Days to offer
3+ yrs
Still in seat
Series D · San Francisco & New York
Sales Engineers (3 hires)
Late-stage security software company
The challenge
Win rates were falling in technical evaluations because AEs were running POCs alone. Three SE hires were needed across two coasts inside one quarter.
The search
One search, one shortlist, staged submittals so the hiring manager evaluated a consistent bar rather than a stream of one-offs. Candidates were screened on POC ownership and objection handling against a competitive incumbent.
The outcome
All three offers accepted within the quarter; POC-to-close conversion improved the following two quarters with SEs attached to every enterprise evaluation.
3
Hires in one quarter
9
Candidates submitted
100%
Offers accepted
Growth equity · Austin
VP Marketing
PE-backed revenue intelligence platform
The challenge
Pipeline coverage sat under 2x and the new sponsor wanted a demand leader who could report credible numbers to the board within a quarter.
The search
Search focused on marketing leaders who had owned a pipeline number, not brand. Each candidate presented their own funnel math from a prior role, with the sponsor's operating partner in the final round.
The outcome
Coverage moved above 3x within two quarters and the sponsor reused the same scorecard for a second portfolio company search.
5
Candidates submitted
22
Days to offer
3x+
Pipeline coverage
Seed · Remote
Head of Customer Success
Seed-stage AI workflow company
The challenge
Early logos were renewing on relationships alone. The founders needed a first CS leader who could build onboarding and retention motion from nothing while carrying a renewal number.
The search
Rich prioritized operators who had been the first CS hire at a seed or Series A company and could show retention data, not headcount plans. Three candidates were submitted; all three reached the final round.
The outcome
The hire shipped an onboarding program in six weeks and took gross retention above 90% in the first renewal cohort.
3
Candidates submitted
17
Days to offer
90%+
Gross retention
Series B · New York
Go-to-market Board Advisor
Series B fintech infrastructure company
The challenge
A technical founding team wanted an operator on the board who had scaled enterprise sales through the same regulatory friction they were facing.
The search
A short, targeted search across former CROs in regulated categories, screened on willingness to work with a first-time revenue leader rather than replace them.
The outcome
The advisor joined the board and now runs monthly pipeline reviews with the founding team and the incoming VP of Sales.
2
Candidates submitted
1
Board seat filled
Monthly
Pipeline cadence
In their words
What clients say.
“
On more than one occasion Rich has helped me find great employment opportunities that fit my skills and professional goals. Without a doubt he is the finest recruiter that I have ever worked with. He has never come to me with opportunities that weren't a good fit. Rich was great at keeping me informed and providing valuable insight throughout the interview process. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking to be placed and also to any company looking to hire quality people.
“
Have worked with Rich for many years and he has a solid reputation and track record of finding great talent that stays, produces, and adds value in the short and long term. His process is very good and contractually he is very easy to work with. Would gladly recommend him without hesitation.
“
Rich is one of the best recruiters that I have worked with over my 20+ year career. Rich is a true professional who works to find the right person for the right role every time. Rich's deep network of connections helps find the right people and the right positions for those needing assistance. I highly recommend working with Rich if you are looking for a new employee or a new role.
More testimonials
Hiring managers and placed candidates.
“Rich does an excellent job of understanding specific profiles of a position and then providing candidates that only meet those profiles. I appreciate the fact that Rich will not waste time sending resumes that are not a fit. Moreover, Rich has the ability to find really top notch players where the exercise is more about us recruiting candidates versus having to spend a lot of time qualifying individuals.”
“I have worked with Rich on numerous searches for sales talent across four different organizations and that was after working with him when he put me into Touch Clarity as VP of Sales for North America prior to Omniture acquiring Touch Clarity. He has always been a pleasure to work with, a straight talker and invests himself heavily on the relationship side when screening candidates. He has never wasted my time. I can wholeheartedly recommend Rich and his services, as I will continue to rely on him personally whenever the opportunity arises.”
“Rich helps me tremendously when I have openings in my presales ranks. He listens to the requirements and consistently directs candidates that are fully qualified for the positions. This results in very quick candidate searches who are prescreened by Rich long before they are presented to me. I fully recommend Rich Rosen as a highly ethical professional that prioritizes my needs in the candidate review, negotiation and hiring process.”
“Rich is one of the hardest working guys in the business. And one of the select few that really works to understand client needs. And he delivers the highest quality candidates that we expect. I highly recommend him for just about any search.”
“Rich and team have helped me fill several positions over the past year. Rich has always been able to find me the talent required, within budget, and within the time frames required. If you are looking to fill technical sales positions I would recommend connecting with Rich and the Cornerstone team.”
“It is my honor to recommend Rich Rosen. I have known and worked with Rich for many years and consider his expertise in vetting and recruiting to be the standard by which all other recruiters should be measured. His ability to seek out and connect the right person for the right job at the right time is par excellence. Whether you are looking for your next career move or seeking someone to fill a critical role — Rich delivers every time!”
“Any sales rep that is looking to get matched up with a technology company that fits you, Rich Rosen is the man to deliver. He really listened to what I was looking for in a company and then matched me perfectly with a tech company I have been at now for more than two years. He puts in the hard work that is detail oriented that other recruiters don't. I highly recommend Rich!”
“I've worked with Rich over the years and have recommended him to many of my friends. Rich is a consummate pro who never misses a step in the process. Rich always has his finger on the pulse of the market. He placed me in my current job, no surprise, it turned out to be a homerun! Rich is a partner who you want in your corner!”
“I recently reached out to Rich about a role at a company he was well connected in. He told me I wasn't a good fit and gave me some candid feedback about my LinkedIn profile and resume. I applied Rich's recommendations and got a few unsolicited requests to interview. As a result, I accepted a role at my current company. I appreciated his time, candor and counsel.”
“Rich has the required attributes to ensure there is a meaningful match between requirements and candidates. He excels in communicating what to expect and when to expect it. Highly professional, with integrity at the core.”
“Rarely do I have the opportunity to work with a consummate professional. I have worked with Rich from both sides of the desk and I have always been consistently surprised by the results and efficiency of our work together. Hiring managers could not find a more diligent and knowledgeable hunter. He has always brought forth uniquely qualified candidates of the highest level.”
“A consummate professional, who is able to articulate a company's strategy and goals to a myriad of individuals, he is the best at his profession. Rich's abilities set him apart from other executive search professionals and he is able to work at a high level and pace.”
“Rich is very professional which speaks to his diligence about quality of the opportunity that he is representing. Extremely high integrity, hard worker and a person willing to go the extra mile for his clients. To know Rich is to trust him.”
“Rich was our key person for identifying, sourcing and recruiting our initial sales and marketing team members and leaders. Rich works 7 days a week, and is constantly iterating to figure out the right candidates based on the unique needs of his client. He never shies away from his point of view of what type of candidate is right for the company's stage, at the same time is willing to change his approach based on learnings throughout the interview process. Rich is truly an asset to startups building out their GTM function.”
“I am pleased to recommend Rich Rosen as an exceptional recruiter. Rich has played a crucial role in helping me build successful sales growth teams quickly and effectively, which directly contributed to exceeding our goals and ultimately leading to successful exits. His ability to identify and attract top talent is unmatched, and he consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that we have the right people in place. Rich's expertise and proactive approach have made a significant impact on our organization.”
“I've spent a lot of time over the past several years building teams and working with both internal and external recruiters to help fill those needs. I have to say that Rich is at the top of that list! He has a rare ability to be patient in the process, listens intently to your needs and the needs of the business, often seeing gaps before most leaders can spot them in the org. Additionally, he somehow convinces top performers at other companies — that 1% that knows how to get it done year over year — to listen as well and make that difficult choice to leave the comfort of their current role and take the risk of joining new tech startups. His track record and reputation in the industry speaks for itself.”
“I've worked with Rich for over a decade. He was instrumental to my success in building out my team at Tableau. Rich possesses deep industry knowledge and has helped guide his candidates with advice that helped propel their careers. On the flip side of that, Rich overdelivers to his clients with top talent, again which I have experienced first hand. Overall, if you are a company looking to scale out your sales team, I would highly recommend speaking to Rich.”
“Rich's superpower is that once he takes on a client and a critical search, it becomes his mission. And while he genuinely comes across as funny and easy going and “just a hard working guy who's been around a while,” the truth is he is an assassin. A fire in his belly that 25 years of sky high performance hasn't dulled one little bit. He needs to win, to get there first, and to get it right. Rich is world class!”
“We hired Rich to recruit for a critical sales role. Rich went beyond the call of duty to provide several strong and hirable candidates, and we filled the role in a shorter time than expected. He's also a pleasure to work with, and is always trying to help clients for BD and other ways through his relationships. Highly recommend!”
“I have had the pleasure of working with Rich over the past several years, placing great candidates on my teams, and working with Rich personally in my searches. Rich is always so connected and prepared, and always champions the absolute best candidates. His hard work bringing forward the most qualified candidates maximizes my time and effort throughout the interview process. I highly recommend Rich for all of your organizational requirements.”
“I recently worked with Rich on a VP search and was beyond impressed. I clicked with him right from our first call; he is professional, direct, funny, ethical, and deeply connected to thousands of candidates. He is extremely communicative and gives the same attention to both customers and candidates alike. Having worked with dozens of executive recruiters over the years, I've come to value the hands-on approach and higher quality talent pool that comes from working with smaller firms. Rich sent us multiple, highly qualified candidates who were not only professional and flexible but most importantly, good people.”
“Rich is the consummate professional. I have worked with him for several years. He has conducted a number of searches for the organization I have led and always brings forward top quality candidates for the positions we have filled. Highly recommend him to organizations who need a top-tier recruiter.”
“Rich gets the job done. His network is extensive and he always listens to the needs of his clients. Rich has recruited top talent over 10 years for my companies. I recommend Rich highly — he's honest, honorable and an all around great guy to be associated with.”
“Some people talk a great game, others simply post about greatness with no real credential to support. Rich is neither of those. Having been a long term colleague, Rich personifies the terms of thoroughness, commitment and clarity. He has from day one been a source of truth, reality and hard work, having always delivered clear goals, targets and plans to ensure timely review and consideration of candidates and positions. He is truly a go-to source for all things people and opportunity!”
“I highly recommend Rich Rosen for recruitment in the information technology industry. Rich has been a top recruiter and a leader in the field for many years. He has excellent interpersonal and communication skills, a deep knowledge of the IT industry, and the ability to locate, screen and assess top talent. Rich is organized, professional, and enthusiastic about his work, with the ability to make sound and reliable decisions.”
“Rich is a true partner when it comes to finding talented resources for your organization. I have found that he is constantly thinking out of the box and bringing a strong network of resources to drive your business to the next level.”
“Rich is truly a partner in our endeavors. He's extremely insightful and professional in his methodology. Rich also has an unusually creative instinct in matching people and circumstances — a rare talent! I wouldn't hesitate to work with Rich on any appropriate project.”
“I have known and worked with Rich for about 10 years now and am consistently impressed with the level of service and the quality of candidates he provides.”
“Rich is a driven and dedicated recruiter, one that you should know. I highly recommend Rich and his firm.”
“Rich is the consummate professional who provides clear and concise steps for all parties in the recruitment process. He does set accurate expectations for both sides, easing the decision making.”
“I have worked with Rich on both ends of the recruiting spectrum with excellent results. As a hiring manager, Rich's candidates were of high quality. I knew he would not waste my time. As a candidate and eventual placement of Rich's I've always been impressed with his integrity and ability to communicate with the various types of personalities he works with on a daily basis.”
“Rich is a consummate professional in the recruiting field. He goes above and beyond standard matching to take the time and understand career objectives and ensure alignment. I would be honored to work with Rich in the future and recommend him wholeheartedly!”
“I have worked with many recruiters over the years, but Rich stood out well above the rest. He was very helpful preparing me at every stage of the interview process and stayed highly engaged with me from the first contact to the formal offer and beyond. Truly one of the best!”
“Rich is a hardworking, committed, hands on professional that collaborates with candidates throughout the recruitment, interview and offer stages. A straight shooter that will let you know if you are a good fit for the role and any gaps that are apparent in your CV, and is very well connected on both the candidate side as well as the hiring manager side of the equation.”
“Rich recently helped me secure an ideal opportunity as an Account Executive at an incredible company. Rich was extremely well-versed and transparent on the role and company, checked in consistently throughout the interview process, and always made himself available for any questions. The opportunity was such a perfect match that I asked Rich if I could write this review. I would highly recommend Rich to anyone seeking a career change as well as any organization looking to provide candidates with a best-in-class experience.”
“It's no accident that Rich is one of the top recruiters in the business. Rich's industry knowledge, vast network, focus, and tenacity separates him from the pack. Nobody works harder than Rich, and his results show it. One thing you'll notice about Rich is, he's always “on.” He's always prepared. He's always game-ready. He always follows through. And he expects the same from you. I highly recommend Rich Rosen.”
“I strongly recommend Rich Rosen to any software professional that is looking to step up their game from a career and earnings perspective. Rich clearly enabled me to break through the glass ceiling laid upon me by my previous giant telecom employer and matched me with the hottest global pioneering company in the AR/VR tech space!”
“Rich is an invaluable resource. One Saturday a few months ago, he and his family were moving house. In the middle of directing his movers, and with his furniture sitting in the street, I called him, expecting to get his voicemail. True to form, he took my call and gave me the information I needed. I have recommended him to several friends and colleagues, and would have no hesitation in working with him again.”
“I have known Rich Rosen from Cornerstone Search Associates for many years. Being a sales executive in the information technology space, I have found myself in the job market for various reasons. I have always found Rich to be a great resource who is well networked in helping me secure interviews with top technology hiring managers. I would not hesitate to recommend him to my colleagues.”
“Smart and gets it. Well connected, and a good guy.”
Want this on your search?
Every search is led personally by Rich Rosen — from the founding GTM hire through the C-suite.
