Business Details
Your Trusted Partner for Tech Talent Solutions
AC Lion is a premier executive recruitment firm specializing in digital and emerging technology sectors. With over 25 years of industry experience, we bridge the talent gap for fast-growing companies by connecting them with exceptional leadership and specialized professionals. Our consultative approach combines deep industry expertise with a proprietary candidate assessment platform to deliver strategic hires tailored to each client's unique needs. Headquartered in New York, we serve organizations from seed-stage startups to public companies across sectors like fintech, healthtech, and martech. Our team of seasoned recruiters, recognized as Forbes' Best Executive Recruiting Firm for six consecutive years, leverages a national network of 50,000 decision-makers to reduce time-to-hire by 2-4 weeks while maintaining rigorous quality standards.We offer flexible engagement models including retained searches, team builds, and contingency recruiting to accommodate diverse business requirements. Our commitment to long-term placements is demonstrated through comprehensive post-hire follow-ups and a guarantee on all placements. By integrating AI-driven DEI tools with traditional sourcing methods, we help clients build inclusive teams positioned for digital transformation success.
Services
Executive Recruitment
Talent Acquisition
Leadership Search
Sales Recruitment
Marketing Recruitment
Product Management
DEI Recruiting
Talent Pipeline
Startup Recruitment
U.S. Market Entry
Highlights and features
- We have over 25 years of experience in digital executive recruitment
- Our team includes industry-specific SMEs with deep expertise
- We offer flexible pricing models tailored to your business needs
- Voted Forbes Best Executive Recruiting Firm six years in a row
- Our proprietary process reduces time to hire by 2-4 weeks
Associations and certifications
- Forbes Best Executive Recruiting Firm
What people say
Exceptional talent placements
Professional and attentive
Smooth hiring process
Top-notch talent acquisition
Highly recommend
Services
Executive Recruitment
Our executive recruitment services specialize in identifying C-suite and VP-level talent for technology-driven organizations. Leveraging 25 years of industry experience and a proprietary EQ assessment platform, we deliver transformational leaders who align with your company culture and strategic goals. Our process includes behavioral assessments, candidate benchmarking, and scientific alignment of job performance metrics to ensure long-term placement success.
Talent Pipeline Development
We create customized talent pipelines for companies facing competitive hiring markets. Using AI-driven tools and a database of 400,000 qualified professionals, our team sources and vets candidates matching your specific requirements. This proactive approach ensures immediate access to qualified talent when new positions open, reducing time-to-hire while maintaining rigorous quality standards for both technical expertise and cultural fit.
DEI Recruiting
Our diversity, equity, and inclusion recruiting solutions combine AI technology with human expertise to expand talent pools and reduce unconscious bias. The platform uses natural language processing to identify qualified candidates beyond traditional networks while providing compliance reporting for stakeholder transparency. This data-driven approach helps organizations build more representative teams without compromising on technical qualifications or cultural alignment.
Startup Talent Acquisition
Specialized recruitment services for emerging technology companies help build foundational teams that drive growth. Our recruiters understand startup dynamics and connect innovative firms with talent capable of thriving in fast-paced environments. From seed-stage hiring to scaling teams for Series A+ companies, we focus on candidates who align with entrepreneurial cultures while possessing the technical skills to accelerate business objectives.
U.S. Market Entry Recruitment
We support offshore companies establishing U.S. operations through strategic talent acquisition and market positioning. Our New York-based team understands the unique challenges of cross-border expansion, delivering culturally aligned professionals who facilitate successful market entry. Services include executive leadership placement, team building, and strategic partnership development to ensure smooth transition and growth in the American market.
People
Alan Cutter
CEO
Alan Cutter brings 25+ years of executive recruitment expertise to AC Lion, specializing in digital transformation leadership. He has built the firm into a Forbes-recognized leader through innovative talent solutions and strategic vision.
Michael Adler
Senior Managing Partner
Michael Adler leverages deep tech industry knowledge as Senior Managing Partner, guiding AC Lion's strategic direction. His leadership focuses on maintaining the firm's position at the forefront of digital talent acquisition.
Ashley Watson
Director of People, Operations, and Culture
Ashley Watson oversees organizational development and culture initiatives at AC Lion. With expertise in operations and talent management, she ensures the firm maintains its high service standards and employee satisfaction.
Jeff Wernecke
Partner
Jeff Wernecke specializes in executive searches for technology companies, combining industry expertise with a proven track record of placing leaders in high-growth organizations.
Josh Marmer
Partner
Josh Marmer focuses on strategic talent acquisition for emerging tech firms, utilizing his extensive network and sector-specific knowledge to deliver exceptional leadership candidates.
Questions
What industries does AC Lion specialize in?
We specialize in digital and emerging technology sectors including fintech, healthtech, martech, agtech, and artificial intelligence companies.
How does AC Lion ensure candidate quality?
Our proprietary EQ platform combines behavioral assessments, psychometric profiling, and scientific alignment with job performance metrics to guarantee quality placements.
What recruitment models do you offer?
We provide retained searches for executive roles, team builds for volume hiring, contingency recruiting for mid-level positions, and DEI-focused talent acquisition solutions.
How quickly can you fill positions?
Our process typically reduces time-to-hire by 2-4 weeks through accelerated candidate calibration and targeted outreach strategies.
Do you work with international companies?
Yes, we specialize in U.S. market entry recruitment, helping offshore firms establish American operations with culturally aligned leadership teams.
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Reviews (3)
Jason Hill
Apr 22, 2017
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Solid digitial marketing recruiting firm. They are truly dedicated to helping both candidates and clients. I would highly recommend. Among the best in NYC
Vickie Palag
Jun 04, 2016
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In the center of the city- friendly, helpful, outspoken, hardworking and dedicated is pretty difficult to find. With such an incredible atmosphere, the opportunities only allow you dream higher. That is what AC Lion is all about. I would recommend everyone and anyone. Thank you Lions!
Matthew Carlstrom
Dec 07, 2015
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Great company to work for, awesome clients across the digital media landscape, fun and open work environment!
