Fill sales leadership positions with a specialized headhunter.

We are recruiting VP Sales, Head of Sales and Sales Management. Precise, fast and with clear results. What you can expect:

– Direct search for management and C level

– Experience in SaaS, industry, services and SMEs

– Twelve months of coverage for each cast

Arrange a consultation

Why a professional sales headhunter makes all the difference

The right sales managers are decisive for turnover, growth and market share. However, competition for the best minds is fiercer than ever, especially in sales – and traditional methods quickly reach their limits.

Missing sales network

Top sales leaders are rarely actively looking for a job – they need to be approached in a targeted and discreet manner.

Impact of incorrect occupations

A wrong decision in sales quickly costs millions in lost sales and damages team motivation.

High time pressure

Companies need managers quickly to take advantage of growth opportunities – delays slow down growth and potential sales are lost.

High complexity

The requirements for modern sales managers range from data-driven leadership to international team experience.

What distinguishes Kooku X from traditional sales headhunters

C-level positions in sales require more than a strong network. With Kooku Expert Search for Sales, you benefit from a data-driven & transparent people-centric approach that avoids mismatches and delivers sustainable results.

95%

Success rate

Combination of 20 years of headhunting experience & data-based market analysis for sustainable sales appointments.

View success cases

28%

Shorter time-to-hire

Calibration and first profiles in 72 hours. Completion after 30 to 45 days. The time to hire is reduced by 28 percent on average.

Process explained

150+

Managers placed

From sales management to VP Sales to Chief Sales Officer – successful in SaaS, industry and professional services.

Discover references

Sales case studies - fast staffing with measurable impact

How we fill your sales management position - step by step

With our structured executive search process in sales, we ensure that you recruit the right executive – from Head of Sales to Sales Manager. Our approach combines discreet direct approach, data-based analysis and personal advice.

Briefing & requirements profile
We work with you to develop a detailed requirements profile for your sales management. In doing so, we define candidate personas, sales KPIs and cultural fit criteria. In this way, we create the basis for a successful executive search in sales.
Market mapping & direct approach
Through cross-industry market mapping, we identify top candidates for your sales executive search. Our headhunters for sales approach these executives discreetly, individually and convincingly - even those who are not actively looking for a job.
Qualification & Scorecards
We assess candidates for professional suitability, sales leadership experience and cultural fit. We use structured scorecards to make the assessment transparent - ideal for CEOs, COOs and HR managers who need to make informed decisions.
Presentation & Selection
You will receive a shortlist of vetted sales managers, VP Sales and Head of Sales candidates. Our profiles contain clear recommendations for action, salary benchmarks and KPI-based assessments - for a confident decision in executive search sales.
Staffing & onboarding support
We accompany the entire process through to the successful appointment of your sales manager. We also provide onboarding support to ensure long-term performance and employee retention.

What do our customers say?

"By far the best headhunter I've worked with. Professionally strong, fast, committed."

Amiran SheroziaEntrepreneur and investor in the FinTech sector

“Understands both digital and financial roles. Combines empathy with system.”

Tobias HellmannDirector - Oetker Digital

“Jan Pautsch brings together network, expertise and speed. He provided us with decisive support in a strategic C-level appointment.”

Beatrice KahlChief People Officer - Xayn

“Thanks to Kooku X, we were able to fill a key role in the leadership team in a short space of time. Fast, focused, trustworthy.”

René WendlerFounder - Zandura

We regularly fill these sales & management roles

Chief Sales Officer (CSO)

Overall strategic responsibility for sales and sales growth. A CSO defines the go-to-market strategy, builds sales organizations and manages international teams. With our executive search in sales, we identify the right CSO candidates - discreetly, reliably and based on data.

Head of Sales / Sales Manager

Operational and strategic management of the sales team, implementation of sales strategies and achievement of sales KPIs. Our sales headhunters find experienced sales managers who have a proven track record of leading teams and scaling markets.

VP Sales / Sales Director

Responsible for international growth, team building and sales strategy. In our direct approach for sales executives, we reach top candidates who combine operational excellence with strategic vision.

Regional Sales Manager

Manages and develops a sales territory and implements regional growth targets. Through our executive search sales team, we approach candidates who open up markets and expand customer relationships in the long term.

Key Account Manager / Director

Strategic support and expansion of the most important key customers. With targeted headhunting for sales, we find key account professionals who secure sales and strengthen customer loyalty in the long term.

Business Development Manager

Identifies new business opportunities, develops markets and builds partnerships. Our recruiting expertise in sales enables us to fill business development roles quickly, appropriately and sustainably.

Sales Engineer / Solution Sales

Combines technical competence with sales expertise for complex products. Our sales headhunters find candidates who present solutions convincingly and successfully shorten the sales cycle.

Account Executive

Responsible for operational sales, customer acquisition and closing deals in the B2B segment. With our direct approach in the extensive sales network, we identify experienced account executives who reliably deliver pipeline and sales.

20-minute assessment for your sales positions

Jan Pautsch

Director Kooku X

Jan Pautsch heads Kooku X and specializes in transformational leadership. With over 10 years of executive search experience, 150+ mandates and 500+ interviews p.a., he combines sales expertise with a systemic coaching approach.

Why you should arrange a free assessment right away

Talk to Jan directly about the following relevant points:

→ Where do you currently stand in recruiting?

→ What is realistically achievable for your vacancies (Time to Hire, Cost per Hire vs. Cost of Vacancy)?

→ What do current benchmarks & the talent market in sales look like?

At the end, you will receive a clear action plan from us and know exactly what steps you need to take to successfully fill your vacancies.

Latest updates from sales recruiting in our recruiting blog

Would you like to delve deeper into the content of sales recruiting or explore the question of what actually constitutes successful recruiting in sales? Find out more in our blog posts:

Sales Headhunter 2025: How companies find the right sales executives

FAQ - Frequently asked questions about executive search in sales

What exactly does a sales headhunter do?

A sales headhunter identifies and recruits sales executives who are usually not actively looking for a job. Through discreet direct contact, market mapping and personal interviews, we ensure that companies find the right sales manager, VP Sales or Head of Sales.

What are the advantages of executive search in sales compared to job advertisements?

While job advertisements only reach active applicants, Executive Search Sales specifically targets top sales executives who are already working successfully in other companies. This also attracts passive candidates who are particularly valuable for growth roles such as CSO, Sales Manager or Sales Director.

How does the process work at Kooku?

Our executive search process for sales managers comprises five steps:

Briefing & requirements profile (candidate persona, KPIs)
Market mapping & direct approach
Qualification & Scorecards
Presentation of audited candidates
Staffing & onboarding support

In this way, we ensure that you find the right sales manager quickly and sustainably.

What are the costs of a sales headhunter?

The costs for a headhunter in sales depend on the role, seniority level and project scope. Traditional headhunters often work with a commission of around 25% of the annual salary. At Kooku Expert Search, we rely on transparent, KPI-based models that make costs predictable.

Which sales roles are most frequently sought?

Head of Sales, VP Sales, Sales Director, Key Account Director and Business Development Manager are currently in particularly high demand. At C-level, many companies are looking for a CSO (Chief Sales Officer) to ensure sales growth and international expansion.

How quickly can a sales executive be filled?

The time-to-hire in executive search sales is typically 2-4 months. Thanks to our data-driven direct approach and scorecard-based recruiting, we can often shorten this time and fill positions more quickly.

Why is cultural fit so important in sales?

Sales managers and VP Sales in particular shape the sales culture of a company. The wrong fit can lead to a slump in sales, high staff turnover and the loss of key customers. That's why we not only check professional suitability in executive search sales, but also cultural fit.

What is the best headhunter for sales?

Pay attention to three points:

Industry expertise in sales - e.g. SaaS, industry or professional services.
Transparency & KPIs - a reputable headhunter will show you the process and measurable results.
Cultural Fit & Consulting - the provider should not only deliver resumes, but also act as a strategic partner in recruiting sales.

How do I choose the right executive search partner in sales?

We combine targeted talent pool mapping, direct active sourcing and industry expertise to present you with the right candidates for the role of Head of Digital Product Transformation in the shortest possible time.

Can I compare Sales Headhunter with AI or ChatGPT?

Yes - many managers use AI-supported comparisons to find suitable headhunters for sales. However, it is important to note that Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT can only summarize information from publicly accessible sources. The actual quality only becomes apparent in the direct approach, candidate assessment and cultural fit check - this is where providers such as Kooku differ from traditional headhunters.

What quality assurance does Kooku X offer?

We secure every cast for twelve months. If a match ends during the probationary period, we cover a one-off follow-up search at no cost. If the employment relationship ends after the probationary period but within the first year, half of the commission paid will be credited towards a new executive search. This gives companies clear and reliable security for every placement.

Not sure yet?

Use one of the following options to obtain further information or call us directly:

+49 30 99 404 3660.

We look forward to getting to know you!