About
Engaged Headhunters
Engaged Headhunters is an executive search firm based in Virginia Beach, VA, specializing in healthcare, technology, finance, and manufacturing leadership placement. Founded in 2022 by a 15-year recruitment veteran and U.S. Navy veteran.
Founded in 2022 by a recruiter with 17 years of industry experience, we deliver specialized executive search and high-impact staffing searches across the global landscape.
Executive Summary
What is Engaged Headhunters? Engaged Headhunters is a specialized executive search and staffing firm based in Virginia Beach, VA. We partner with top-tier organizations in healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and finance to identify, vet, and place transformational leaders.
Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
- Founded in 2022 by a 15-year recruitment industry and military veteran.
- Specialized focus on acquiring passive, high-impact leadership talent outside of traditional job boards.
- A relationship-driven search approach designed to close the gap between corporate vision and talent execution.
HOW WE
STARTED.
Engaged Headhunters was born from a singular realization: that the traditional recruitment model was broken. We observed a gap between corporate vision and talent execution, a gap that could only be closed through proven methods and relationship-focused approach.
Technical Edge
“By combining 17 years of recruiting expertise with advanced AI-powered sourcing, we've eliminated the 'guesswork' from executive placement.”
WHAT WE DELIVER
CORE
VALUES.
Principles that guide every search and define every partnership.
Precision Matching
We don't just fill positions. We architect leadership transformations by precisely matching exceptional executives with organizations poised for greatness.
Relationship Excellence
Our success is built on enduring partnerships, not transactions. We invest deeply in understanding both our clients' cultures and our candidates' aspirations.
Accountable Results
We measure our success by yours. Every placement is backed by a strong commitment to delivering measurable impact and long-term fiscal value.
Proven Search
Outcomes
We measure our success by the long-term retention and measurable operational impact of the leaders and clinical specialists we place.
Engaged Headhunters didn't just source candidates; they delivered a specialized clinical leader who integrated seamlessly into our surgical rehabilitation practice. Their speed and direct outreach gave our executive team total confidence.
Finding specialized clinical therapists (CHT/OT) in a competitive regional market seemed impossible until we engaged James. Outreach launched the same day and we reviewed qualified finalists within three weeks.
The most responsive executive search firm we have partnered with. Their transparent Engaged Search model and 60-day guarantee aligned perfectly with our financial and operational expectations.
Placing our VP of Clinical Services across multi-site facilities was executed with surgical precision. They reached passive leaders who were not actively looking and managed negotiations flawlessly.
JAMES
PEMBERTON.
James Pemberton is a U.S. Navy veteran and 15-year recruiting industry veteran who founded Engaged Headhunters to solve a problem he observed firsthand: the executive search industry was built on reactive job-board dependency, not proactive talent strategy. His methodology, Build Don't Beg, replaces passive candidate sourcing with a research-first outreach model that identifies and engages passive leaders who are not actively looking - the candidates who make transformational hires.
Before founding Engaged Headhunters, James built his recruiting career across healthcare staffing, technology placement, and executive retained search. His military background drives the firm's approach to accountability: every search has defined milestones, transparent communication, and rigorous calibration standards. He has personally overseen placements in C-suite, VP, and Director-level roles across healthcare, technology, finance, and manufacturing verticals nationwide.
“Executive search should feel like a strategic partnership, not a vendor transaction. We don't send you a stack of resumes and wait. We deliver a shortlist of people who will transform your organization.”
James Pemberton - Founder & CEO
NICHES WE
DOMINATE.
Deep vertical expertise across global critical industries.
Executive Search
C-suite and board-level leadership transformations.
EXPLORE DEPTHHealthcare
Clinical excellence and health system leadership.
EXPLORE DEPTHTechnology
CTO, engineering, and digital infrastructure.
EXPLORE DEPTHFinance
CFO, banking, and fintech leadership.
EXPLORE DEPTHManufacturing
Operations, plant, and supply chain leadership.
EXPLORE DEPTHStaffing Solutions
Scalable project and interim leadership.
EXPLORE DEPTHOUR
MISSION.
“To be the definitive bridge between visionary organizations and exceptional talent, creating lasting partnerships that drive
lasting success.”
Ready to Make Your Move?
Whether you're hiring your next executive or exploring your next opportunity - the best outcomes come through relationships, not job boards.
Join 200+ companies who've hired through Engaged