Top 12 Data Science Recruiters
Explore a curated list of the leading DS recruiters & headhunters who specialize in finding top talent for advanced analytics and AI-driven roles. ↓
Data Science is one of tech’s fastest-evolving fields, drawing top talent across industries. From rising data scientists to AI and analytics experts, demand is surging. Recruiters who specialise in this space play a key role in shaping the future of tech and business.
Below is an updated and ranked list of the world’s best data science recruiters, recognized for their expertise in connecting exceptional talent with leading companies and driving innovation in the data-driven world.
- Megan Lieu
- Linda Burtch
- Benjamin Mena
- Matt Stabile
- Matt Reaney
- Simon Clarke
- Vanessa Raath
- Roland Pavamani
- Ted O’Brien
- Steen Whidden
- Amy Miller
- Josef Güenthner
Below we provide more detailed profiles of each recruiter.
Megan Lieu
Nationality: American
Megan is a Data Science Career Influencer & Developer Advocate. Megan Lieu is an emerging force in the data science career space, known for her relatable LinkedIn posts and educational content.
A former data analyst and recruiter, she now works as a Developer Advocate while running “ML Data”, an online community helping newcomers break into data science. Megan shares honest advice on job applications, interviews, and the challenges she faced early in her own data career. Her supportive, motivational style has earned her tens of thousands of followers.
Through initiatives like her “Data Diaries” newsletter and social media, Megan has mentored many entry-level data scientists – making her a key influencer bridging the gap between aspiring talent and the recruiters/companies seeking to hire them.
- LinkedIn: Megan Lieu
Linda Burtch
Nationality: American
Data science is more than just numbers. It’s about understanding the story they tell and translating that into actionable insights for businesses to drive innovation.
Linda is a Founder & Managing Director at Burtch Works.
A 30+ year veteran in analytics recruiting, Linda Burtch founded BW and has placed countless quantitative professionals. She is widely cited for her industry insights, publishes annual Data Science & Analytics salary reports, and is a frequent speaker on hiring trends.
Her deep expertise and passion for the data talent community make her a go-to resource for both candidates and Fortune 500 clients.
- LinkedIn: Linda Burtch
Benjamin Mena
Nationality: American
Benjamin is a Managing Partner at Select Source Solutions. With 15+ years in recruiting, Ben Mena specializes in cybersecurity and data science talent. He has filled elite data roles for U.S. defense contractors and agencies, and now as Managing Partner at Select Source, he secures C-suite data experts for clients in sensitive industries.
Ben is also a thought leader – he hosts The Elite Recruiter Podcast, sharing hiring strategies and interviewing fellow top recruiters. His content on LinkedIn offers tips on personal branding, outreach, and AI’s impact on recruiting, reflecting his commitment to continuously elevating the recruiting craft.
- LinkedIn: Benjamin Mena
- X (Twitter): @benjamin_l_mena
Matt Stabile
Nationality: American
Matt is a Co-Founder & COO at Averity.
A former attorney turned tech recruiter, Matt Stabile has become New York’s “#1 rated” data science and AI recruiter. At Averity, he helped build one of the top analytics recruitment teams, placing data scientists at the likes of The New York Times, Verizon, and more. Now heading his own firm Stabile Search, Matt remains an active public speaker and blogger on data science careers.
He is known for his hands-on approach with candidates and for providing straight-talk advice on breaking into data roles, reflecting his mission to demystify the hiring process for aspiring data professionals.
- LinkedIn: Matt Stabile
Matt Reaney
Nationality: British
Matt leads Big Cloud, a global recruitment firm dedicated to data science, AI, and machine learning talent. Since 2013, he has grown Big Cloud from a UK startup into a worldwide network placing AI specialists across Europe, the US, and APAC.
Matt and his team are known for publishing annual Data Science Salary Surveys and community insights that help companies understand talent market trends. A frequent contributor to industry blogs and podcasts, Matt’s philosophy is to match the right data talent with the right opportunity by considering technical skills and company culture fit – a data-driven approach that has positioned Big Cloud as a trusted partner to innovative tech companies.
- LinkedIn: Matt Reaney
- X (Twitter): @mattreaney_
Simon Clarke
Nationality: British
Simon co-founded Harnham in 2006, growing it into one of the world’s leading data and analytics recruitment agencies. Under his leadership (now as Executive Chairman), Harnham expanded to 160+ recruiters across London, New York, San Francisco, and more.
Simon has overseen thousands of data science and AI placements globally. He’s known for emphasizing recruiter training and community involvement – Harnham produces specialized salary guides and even an in-house Data & AI Podcast to stay ahead of industry developments. With his long-term perspective on the talent market, Simon is frequently consulted by businesses seeking to build data teams at scale.
- LinkedIn: Simon Clarke
- X (Twitter): @SimonAtHarnham
Vanessa Raath
Nationality: South African
Vanessa is a globally recognized sourcing and recruitment strategist who has trained over 1,000 recruiters across 100+ countries. With over a decade in talent acquisition (including scaling a company from 35 to 200 hires), she now focuses on educating recruiters to find tech and data talent more effectively.
Vanessa runs workshops like “AI Training for Recruiters”, equipping hiring teams with tools to leverage AI for sourcing. She also continues to actively recruit tech professionals, championing diversity and community-building. Her influence in the recruiting world – especially via her engaging LinkedIn content and speaking appearances – has made her a top voice on how to attract and engage data science candidates in today’s market.
- LinkedIn: Vanessa Raath
Roland Pavamani
Nationality: Indian
Roland is a pioneer of social media recruiting in India. Since 2002 he has built Roljobs into a leading tech talent agency by leveraging online networks to find passive data science talent.
A former defense scientist turned recruiter, Roland brings analytical rigor to hiring. He’s extremely active on social media, where he shares job openings and recruiting “mantras” with a global audience. NPAworldwide (a recruiting network) lists him as a member-owner, reflecting his international reach.
Known for his “people-first” approach, Roland has mentored many recruiters and advised companies from startups to Fortune 500 on scaling data science teams via innovative sourcing strategies.
- LinkedIn: Roland Pavamani
Ted O’Brien
Nationality: American
Ted founded Starbridge Partners to focus entirely on Data Science and Analytics executive search. With over 25 years in recruiting, Ted has developed an unmatched network of senior data scientists, quantitative analysts, and AI leaders.
His firm has spent a decade building data teams for Fortune 100 financial, healthcare, and tech clients. Ted’s thought leadership (he frequently writes and speaks about talent market trends in AI/ML) and his hands-on approach (he personally leads many C-level searches) have earned Starbridge a spot among the top specialized search firms.
Clients praise his team’s deep understanding of the data domain and ability to deliver “unmatched” candidate networks for tough-to-fill positions.
- LinkedIn: Ted O’Brien
Steen Whidden
Nationality: American
Steen is a lead data science recruiter at Google, tasked with hiring top data scientists and ML engineers for one of the world’s most selective companies. Based in San Francisco, Steen has a track record of success both at Google and previously at high-growth startups.
He is known among candidates for his transparent communication and deep knowledge of Google’s hiring process for analytics roles. Internally, Steen has helped develop Google’s campus outreach and diversity recruiting initiatives for data science. His ability to identify talent that fits Google’s rigorous technical bar and culture has made him one of the most respected in-house recruiters in the data science community.
- LinkedIn: Steen Whidden
Amy Miller
Nationality: American
Amy is a Silicon Valley recruiting veteran who has spent the past decade hiring engineers and data scientists at Microsoft, Google, and now Amazon. Beyond her day job building Amazon’s satellite/Kuiper team, Amy is famously known for her “Recruiting in Yoga Pants” YouTube channel and blog, where she serves as a “recruiting mythbuster” sharing insider advice with job seekers.
Named a LinkedIn Top Voice in 2022, Amy uses humor and candor to explain how hiring really works at FAANG companies. She’s passionate about debunking misconceptions (like ATS “resume black holes”) and empowering candidates – which has made her content widely popular among aspiring data scientists looking to navigate big-tech recruitment.
- LinkedIn: Amy Miller
Josef Güenthner
Nationality: German
Josef heads Paltron, a boutique German recruiting firm specializing in IT and data science roles. Since co-founding Paltron in 2015, he has introduced a highly data-driven recruitment process – including “partially automated multi-channel search” and an exclusive network of 600k+ tech experts – to efficiently match data talent with employers.
Josef’s team is known for understanding the “know-how needed to find specialized experts in Data Science”, giving them an edge in identifying the right candidates. With operations across DACH and Europe, Paltron (under Josef’s leadership) has become a trusted partner for companies seeking top data engineers, AI specialists, and analysts.
- LinkedIn: Josef Güenthner
Sum Up
These leading recruiters have made a significant impact in the Data Science field, excelling at sourcing top-tier talent, driving technological innovation, and supporting growth across emerging markets. However, working directly with these experts can be challenging due to their high demand and premium costs.
A valuable alternative is partnering with EchoGlobal, where our industry expertise and vast global network help connect you with the best Data Science talent to fuel your growth.
Note: We’ve dedicated significant time and effort to creating and verifying this curated list of top professionals. However, if you believe a correction or addition is needed, feel free to reach out. We’ll gladly review and update the page.
Lou Reverchuk