GTM recruiting for software, data, and AI-native companies.
I'm Jake Walbert. I founded Pagoda Search in 2025 after spending 6 years in tech sales. That experience shapes every search, and it's why founders and sales leaders chose Pagoda over a traditional agency.
The approach
- AI-pilled. Aren't we all? It frees my time for clients and candidates.
- I only shortlist people I'd hire myself, for companies I'd sell for.
- Just me, start to finish. My name's on every search. I care more.
- Every placement is backed by a 180-day guarantee.
"I wanted to mention I love your approach here on LinkedIn. I get so many DM's from recruiters, yours is much more human/genuine/refreshing." Tom C., Account Executive
Recent searches
Encord, Kinfolk, Trumpet, Tie, Dilitrust, with growing work in physical AI and robotics. Placements range from Account Executive to VP of Sales.
From clients and candidates
"He knows the GTM space inside out and treats it as a real partnership. We needed an AE with a specific background and he delivered." Rory Sandler, Co-Founder & CEO
"I had niche roles to fill. Jake matched the criteria with the skill set needed. Excellent professional search services and a pleasure to work with." Elizabeth Murphy, Global SVP of Sales
"What stood out was the work behind the scenes and how he kept things moving as an extension of our team." Anthony Grenga, Co-Founder & CEO
"Moved fast, hit early. Only sourced us A+ talent." Jonathan Mannix, COO
"Responsive, genuine. Someone who truly gets it." McKenna Sivula, Enterprise Account Executive
Outside of work
Former college football player who still needs something to compete at. Lately that's golf and any racquet sport I can find a game for. Saturdays are for Michigan, Sundays for the Colts. Home is Wilmington with my wife Taylor and our Goldendoodle, Tuck.
Common questions
- What roles do you place?
- Account Executives, Sales Directors, Head/VP of Sales, Customer Success & Account Management, Technical Sales, and Forward Deployed Engineers.
- What kind of companies do you work with?
- Private and venture-backed companies in software, data, and AI, growing their GTM teams in the US.
- How does a search start?
- A conversation about the role, the team, the ideal profile, and what's gone wrong before. If it's a fit, we agree on terms, sign an MSA, and I start sourcing.
- What makes Pagoda Search different?
- I've done the job I'm sourcing for. Six years in seat taught me to write outreach sellers want to answer, and to screen the way a sales leader would. What makes them tick? What does their life outside work say about how they're wired? Can they walk me through a deal like they're telling a story? Candidates see that background and open up, so you get the full picture.
The best sellers aren't clicking apply. Contact: jake@pagodasearch.com. Pagoda Search LLC, Wilmington, Delaware.