Jeremy MacLeod
Co-Founder
Jeremy MacLeod is the Co-Founder of TSE and a startup recruiter specializing in GTM and leadership hiring for early-stage, venture-backed startups. With over 20 years in recruitment and a decade focused on high-growth tech, he partners with founders across the US, ANZ, and India to help them scale teams from Seed to Series C with precision, purpose, and founder-first insight.
Meet Jeremy
Jeremy has spent more than two decades in recruitment, with the last ten years dedicated to building high-performing GTM teams for early stage founders. He began his career managing a retail business in New Zealand, where he learned the value of urgency, customer focus, and genuine partnership principles that still define his approach to recruitment today.
After relocating to Sydney, Jeremy joined a family-owned recruitment firm, where he quickly rose into senior leadership during his nearly decade-long tenure. He later moved to London, where he continued his career in recruitment before eventually relocating to the United States.
In 2019, he co-founded The Search Experience alongside Natalie Adams, building a company designed for founders - one that shapes hiring strategy, sequencing, and long-term business impact.
Today, Jeremy leads searches across the US, building US originated businesses as well as those founded in ANZ, and India. Jeremy works closely with founders to turn hiring into a true competitive advantage. Known for his straightforward, founder-first style, he acts as a hands-on partner - guiding teams through pivotal hires and challenging assumptions to drive smarter, sustainable growth.
Focus: Go-to-Market
Jeremy specializes in helping early-stage startups build and scale go-to-market and executive teams. His expertise includes:
Sales and revenue leadership
Marketing and growth leadership
Customer success and post-sales functions
Market entry and US expansion hiring
Founder advisory on hiring strategy and sequencing
Jeremy partners with founders across global markets often working with teams entering new sectors or scaling their first GTM and leadership hires. His focus is on guiding founders to hire with intent, ensuring every addition strengthens both growth and culture.
Working with Jeremy
Jeremy is direct, commercially minded, and deeply invested in the businesses he partners with. Founders value his willingness to ask difficult questions, challenge assumptions when necessary, and offer honest advice rather than the easiest answer. His focus is always on founders making stronger hiring decisions, not simply filling a vacancy.
With more than 20 years of recruitment experience, Jeremy has worked alongside founders through every stage of building and scaling go-to-market teams. He understands how sales, marketing, customer success, and leadership functions evolve as companies grow, and regularly works with founders to think beyond the immediate hire, considering the structure, sequencing, and capabilities the business will need over time.
Throughout every search, Jeremy is collaborative, responsive, and pragmatic. He builds long-term relationships through transparency, consistency, and a genuine commitment to the outcome. Whether advising on a first commercial hire or building an executive leadership team, he stays closely involved from initial strategy through to offer acceptance, giving founders the confidence to make high-stakes hiring decisions with greater clarity.
Perspectives & Media
Jeremy regularly shares insights on startup hiring, GTM leadership, and how founders can build teams that drive sustainable growth. His perspectives have been featured across industry publications and events focused on startup growth and talent strategy.
Featured In
Software Oasis Summit
Hiring Salespeople Who Really Perform: How To See Past The Story And Test For Truth
Practical frameworks for identifying high-performing sales talent beyond polished interview answers.
Tech Startup Network
Why Early Hiring Decisions Matter More to Momentum Than Founders Expect
How early hiring decisions shape startup execution, culture, and long-term growth.
LA Examiner
Effective Strategies for Recruiting Top Talent
Insights into structured hiring processes that ensure startups identify and secure exceptional talent.
Recent Insights from Jeremy on the TSE Blog
Startup RSUs vs Stock Options: What Founders Should Know as They Scale
How to Negotiate Equity in a Startup: 5 Things Every Candidate Should Know
When to Hire Marketing Talent for Your SaaS Startup (And Why Waiting Costs You)
Solutions Consultant, AI Software, Series B
"Working with Jeremy was one of the best recruiter experiences I've had. He communicated clearly, offered thoughtful guidance, and made the process feel smooth and stress-free.
His support and advocacy helped me land a role I'm genuinely excited about. I'd highly recommend him."
Co-Founder, Loyalty SaaS, Seed
"We retained Jeremy and The Search Experience to hire a foundational Sales Director for our new NY office. He quickly understood our vision, partnered closely with leadership, and delivered a standout sales leader who hit the ground running. We look forward to continuing our partnership as we build our US team."
Senior VP, Enterprise SaaS, Series C
"We've partnered with Jeremy and the TSE team on six searches in the past year, with more underway. Their upfront calibration is excellent, allowing us to close roles with just 5–8 interviews. The efficiency and results consistently outperform doing it ourselves. I highly recommend the team."
Beyond the Search
A proud Kiwi, Jeremy brings a grounded, competitive energy to everything he does - focused, consistent, and driven to deliver. His approach to work reflects the same discipline and resilience that founders bring to building their companies.
Outside of work, Jeremy is a passionate sports fan who follows football, baseball, and basketball, and a dedicated fitness enthusiast who rarely misses a run or gym session. Most importantly, he's a devoted dad to two kids, balancing startup growth with family life and the same commitment he brings to every search.
FAQs
What sectors does Jeremy specialize in?
Go-to-market, sales, and marketing leadership roles across SaaS, AI, and developer tools.
What experience does Jeremy bring to startup hiring?
Over 20 years of recruitment experience, with a decade focused on early-stage tech startups scaling from Seed to Series C.
How does Jeremy work with founder-led startups?
Through a peer-to-peer model - combining founder empathy, market expertise, and a challenger mindset to shape effective hiring strategies.
What types of founders does Jeremy typically advise?
Founders across a range of sectors who are scaling their GTM teams in the US, ANZ, and India - from first-time founders building initial functions to experienced operators expanding into new markets.
How can I connect with Jeremy for PR or media opportunities?
Jeremy is available for comments, speaking opportunities, and partnership enquiries. The best way to connect is by contacting our marketing team.
How can I connect with Jeremy about a search?
Reach out via email or connect with him on LinkedIn.