"When our Chief Financial Officer announced her retirement, I began evaluating executive search firms to lead the replacement. After speaking with two firms, I was close to making a decision when a colleague recommended KIP Search. That introduction proved to be invaluable. From the outset, KIP Search demonstrated a highly comprehensive and disciplined approach. The team took the time to deeply understand not only the technical requirements of the CFO role, but also the nuances of our culture, leadership expectations, and long term objectives. That rigor translated into a thoughtful and well constructed candidate profile, followed by a slate of exceptional CFO candidates who consistently met the mark. The decision was not easy, which speaks to the quality of the process, but we ultimately selected a CFO who is an outstanding fit for our organization. KIP Search was professional, responsive, and highly organized throughout. Their process is both thorough and effective, and I would confidently recommend them to any organization seeking top tier leadership talent."
Ken S.
President and Chief Operating Officer
World-Leading Global Manufacturer
"We partnered with KIP Search on a critical executive leadership hire and were highly impressed with both their process and results. Their approach was thorough, disciplined, and data driven. As a real estate firm that values analytics, we particularly appreciated the candidate scorecard, which brought clarity, structure, and confidence to the decision making process. No detail was overlooked. KIP Search delivered a strong slate of candidates, making the final decision both challenging and rewarding. We would not hesitate to partner with KIP Search again and highly recommend them for any organization seeking top tier leadership talent."
Alex B.
Managing Partner
National Real Estate Development, Investment & Management Company
"We are very pleased with our experience using KIP Search to help us find a Chief Operating Officer and EOS Integrator. They were very thorough in the search and presented us with an impressive slate of candidates. We had a tough time deciding which candidate was the best fit for our company, but KIP Search was always very responsive and available to chat and help us process through our questions and concerns."
Tyler S.
President
Heavy Civil Construction Company
"We engaged KIP Search to lead a Chief Financial Officer search for a private family office in the Twin Cities, and the experience stood out immediately. From the first conversation, their approach was thoughtful, transparent, and highly strategic. KIP Search took the time to understand not only the technical requirements of the role, but also the unique dynamics of our organization and the specific profile we needed to succeed. Despite the complexity of the search, they delivered a detailed and highly targeted slate of candidates who aligned closely with our criteria. The process was efficient, and the outcome exceeded expectations. We ultimately secured a candidate with a rare and specialized background who is an exceptional fit for our team. Throughout the engagement, KIP Search provided a high level of support and collaboration. Their team was professional, engaging, and a true partner every step of the way. We would confidently recommend KIP Search to any organization seeking exceptional leadership talent."
Kim B.
Executive Director
Private Family Office
"We had the pleasure of partnering with KIP Search on a Chief Legal and Compliance Officer search, and the experience was exceptional. From the outset, their team took the time to deeply understand our business and leadership needs. That insight translated into a highly targeted slate of candidates who consistently met our criteria. Throughout the process, KIP Search was accessible, responsive, and highly attentive to detail, creating a smooth and efficient experience from start to finish. Their partnership was instrumental in helping us secure a strong hire, and we would confidently recommend KIP Search for critical leadership searches."
Matt M.
Chief Executive Officer
Private Equity Backed National Biotechnology Leader
"The candidate established instant credibility from day one, a direct reflection of KIP Search’s ability to align talent with both the role and the organization. KIP Search demonstrated a deep understanding of our culture and leadership needs, ensuring we secured a CFO who is a true fit and a dynamic addition to our team. Their process stood out at every stage. Communication was clear and proactive, and the detailed candidate scorecard provided a level of insight and structure that significantly enhanced our decision making. In fact, the quality of their approach, particularly the scorecard, has raised the standard for how we evaluate talent internally. KIP Search delivers a level of rigor and excellence that sets them apart, and we would highly recommend them for critical leadership hires."
Sarah M.
Vice President of Global Human Resources
Leading Biopolymer Manufacturer
"We engaged KIP Search to perform a search for a Chief Financial Officer for one of our portfolio companies in the Southeastern United States. Our KIP Search Headhunter quickly brought us a high quality list of candidates out of which we selected someone that far exceeded our expectations."
Greg K.
Chief Financial Officer
Family Office
"KIP Search was a true partner in helping us fill a difficult, niche role in a highly competitive market. Their team took the time to understand our needs, communicated clearly throughout the process, and brought a structured, end to end approach that gave us confidence at every stage. The level of professionalism and responsiveness stood out. KIP Search consistently went above and beyond expectations, not only delivering a strong candidate outcome, but also providing valuable referrals that supported our broader business needs. We would strongly recommend KIP Search to any organization seeking a reliable and high performing executive search partner."
Lynn H.
Head of Talent Acquisition
National Leader in Multi-Family Real Estate Development & Management
"We had the distinct pleasure of partnering with KIP Search on a critically important search for a General Counsel to lead our complex legal function. From the outset, their process was clear, focused, and highly effective. The KIP Search team took the time to deeply understand our business, strategy, culture, and core values. That level of insight made all the difference. They delivered a slate of exceptional candidates, ultimately helping us secure a General Counsel who is an outstanding addition to our leadership team. Simply put, we would not have found this level of talent without KIP Search. KIP Search is the best executive search firm we have worked with. We highly recommend them to any organization with critical leadership needs and look forward to partnering with them again."
John B.
Chief Financial Officer
Public Global Medical Device Company
"As a firm operating in a highly specialized area of law, it was critical to partner with a search firm that could truly understand our niche and hiring needs. KIP Search exceeded expectations. Their team took the time to gain a deep understanding of our practice and the unique dynamics of our market. They were disciplined in their approach, presenting only candidates who were highly relevant and well aligned, which made the process far more efficient. The quality of candidates and level of vetting were exceptional, allowing us to make confident decisions without wasted time or distraction. KIP Search delivered an outstanding experience, and we have confidently recommended them to others and will continue to do so."
Shareholder
Top 10 Law Firm
Minneapolis, MN
"While in transition, looking for my next career opportunity, I had the pleasure of working with KIP Search. They bring a unique approach to the process by requesting their applicants to complete a detailed document in preparation of future interviews to support their repertoire and interests. It truly distinguishes those applicants who are willing to invest in the process and those firms who are willing to represent them in such a professional and organized fashion. KIP Search's follow-up and thorough approach to the entire process is above and beyond. I would highly recommend working with KIP Search."
Mary G.
Chief Human Resources Officer
AI-Driven Software Company
“We engaged with KIP Search to hire key executive positions in our company. The process was efficient and timely. The resources Kip Knippel and his team furnished for each candidate provided valuable insights to our hiring team.”
Brian B.
President and CEO
Public Medical Device Company
"I have partnered with KIP Search both as a hiring manager on retained searches and as a candidate exploring new opportunities, and the experience was exceptional on both sides. As a hiring partner, KIP Search demonstrated a thoughtful, thorough approach, asking the right questions, listening closely, and advocating effectively to attract top legal talent. As a candidate, their deep knowledge of the market and ability to surface well aligned opportunities stood out. Throughout each engagement, the KIP Search team was attentive, resourceful, and highly engaged, bringing clarity and confidence to every step of the process. What was most evident is their commitment to creating the right match, not just filling a role. I would strongly recommend KIP Search to both organizations and executives seeking a true partner in hiring and career decisions."
Katie G.
Corporate M&A and Private Equity Shareholder
AM Law 100 Law Firm
“KIP Search’s unique screening process quickly made the match and the fit has been like a glove. It’s clear that the techniques and tools developed and used by KIP Search are a step above traditional search firms.”
Beth S.
Head of Finance & Accounting
Private Family Office
"Collaborating with KIP Search on a critical executive search was an absolute delight as they showcased exceptional dedication, professionalism, and expertise throughout the entire process. KIP Search truly went the extra mile in their pursuit of the ideal candidate, displaying an extraordinary talent for pinpointing the perfect match, like finding a needle in a haystack. KIP Search's exceptional attention to detail and remarkable ability to discern both my needs as a recruit and the client's requirements showcased their unparalleled talent for connecting the dots. KIP Search's unwavering commitment to ensuring a successful outcome proved invaluable for both myself and my new employer, as we discovered the right fit together. Their outstanding performance not only exceeded our expectations but also solidified KIP Search as our top choice for any future executive hiring needs. I wholeheartedly endorse KIP Search for anyone seeking the very best in talent for their organization."
Peter V.
Director of Human Resources
Minneapolis, MN
"KIP Search was an outstanding partner throughout my career transition. Their team provided thoughtful guidance, clear communication, and consistent responsiveness at every stage of the process. What could have been a stressful experience was made significantly more manageable through their insight and support. KIP Search operates as a true ally, combining professionalism with a genuine commitment to helping candidates navigate important career decisions. I would highly recommend KIP Search to anyone seeking a trusted partner and expert guidance during a transition."
Francis S.
Vice President, Partner Services
Family Office
"KIP Search connected me with an executive opportunity at a pivotal moment in my career as I was transitioning following a merger. While my background did not initially appear to be a perfect fit for the role, the KIP Search team recognized the broader value I could bring beyond the original job description. Rather than taking a transactional approach, they saw the bigger picture and worked to align both the company’s needs and my potential contributions. That perspective made all the difference. KIP Search created an opportunity that may not have been obvious at first glance, ultimately leading to a strong and successful match. Their ability to look beyond the resume and identify true alignment sets them apart. I would highly recommend KIP Search to both companies and executives seeking meaningful, long term partnerships."
Mike S.
Vice President, Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs
Publicly Traded Medical Device Company
Frequently Asked Questions
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