What types of executive roles does Sentiro Partners specialize in?

We specialize in AI & Data Leadership (Chief Data Officer, Chief AI Officer, VP Data Science), Technology Leadership (CTO, VP Engineering, CISO), CEO & C-Suite roles, Semiconductor Leadership, Private Equity portfolio leadership, and Digital & E-commerce executives. Our focus is on transformational leaders for the Augmentation Era.

What is the Augmentation Era?

The Augmentation Era describes the current business environment where AI and human intelligence work in tandem. Organizations require leaders who can harness AI to augment human capabilities, drive data-driven decision making, and navigate rapid technological transformation. Our executive search focuses on finding leaders who thrive in this environment.

Where does Sentiro Partners place executives?

We place executives globally with strong coverage in Ireland, United Kingdom, United States, and continental Europe. Our practice spans technology companies, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, semiconductor firms, and private equity portfolio companies across multiple industries.

How long does a typical executive search take?

Most executive searches complete in 8-14 weeks from engagement to offer acceptance. Our founder-led, AI-augmented methodology enables faster identification of qualified candidates while maintaining rigorous assessment standards. Complex C-suite roles or highly specialized positions may extend to 12-16 weeks.

Do you focus on technical infrastructure roles or commercial/digital roles?

Both. We place technical infrastructure leaders (VP Network Architecture, Head of 5G Deployment, VP Optical Systems, satellite constellation managers) and commercial/digital leaders (Chief Customer Officer, VP Product Strategy, Head of Digital Transformation, VP Network Analytics). Modern telecom success requires excellence at both layers - infrastructure and customer experience. Our dual-track expertise enables us to build complete connectivity leadership teams.

What is Open RAN, and why does it matter for talent strategies?

Open RAN (Radio Access Network) disaggregates traditional proprietary network hardware into software-defined, multi-vendor components. This architectural shift is reshaping talent requirements - telcos now need leaders who understand software engineering, cloud-native architectures, multi-vendor orchestration and API-first design, not just traditional RF engineering. We identify leaders who can navigate this transition from hardware-centric to software-defined networks.

How do you assess technical credibility in network architecture candidates?

We evaluate hands-on experience with modern network architectures (5G core, RAN, transport, edge compute), understanding of standards bodies (3GPP, O-RAN Alliance, ETSI), deployment experience (greenfield builds vs. brownfield upgrades) and vendor ecosystem knowledge. Our assessment includes technical deep-dives on architecture decisions, case-based scenarios (network planning, vendor selection) and reference checks with engineering teams and technical peers.

Can you support satellite and non-terrestrial network (NTN) leadership searches?

Yes. The satellite connectivity market is experiencing explosive growth (LEO constellations, direct-to-device services, satellite-terrestrial convergence). We place leaders in satellite systems engineering, constellation management, ground infrastructure, NTN integration and space segment operations. Our practice understands the unique technical challenges (orbital mechanics, inter-satellite links, latency management) and commercial opportunities (IoT connectivity, remote markets, government contracts) in this emerging domain.

What industries do you serve for connectivity leadership searches?

Traditional telcos (Tier 1 operators, regional carriers, MVNOs), infrastructure vendors (equipment manufacturers, Open RAN suppliers, optical systems), satellite providers (LEO/MEO constellation operators, ground infrastructure), cloud and hyperscalers (edge compute, data centre connectivity) and enterprise connectivity (private 5G, campus networks, industrial IoT). Our cross-sector experience enables us to identify talent from adjacent markets who bring fresh perspectives to traditional telecom.

How long does a typical telecom executive search take?

Most connectivity leadership searches complete in 10-14 weeks, though highly specialised roles (e.g. VP Open RAN Architecture, Head of Satellite Constellation) or searches requiring regulatory clearance may extend to 12-16 weeks. Technical roles often require deeper assessment of architecture experience and hands-on capabilities. Our founder-led, globally networked approach enables efficient identification while maintaining rigorous technical and cultural evaluation.

Practice

CONNECTIVITY &TELECOM

Building the intelligent network layer.

We place the technical and commercial leaders building intelligent network infrastructure - from 5G architecture and satellite systems to edge compute and telco transformation.

Related practices

Digital & Technology Leadership Semiconductor Leadership

Abstract connectivity and telecommunications visualisation with network nodes, fiber routes and satellite orbital paths

Infrastructure Frontier

Section 01

CONNECTIVITY IS THE FOUNDATION

The Augmentation Era demands ubiquitous, intelligent connectivity. AI, edge compute and distributed intelligence require networks that are not just fast - but intelligent, programmable and resilient.

From 5G core architecture to satellite constellations to Open RAN deployment, we understand the technical and commercial realities of modern network infrastructure.

Our Connectivity & Telecommunications practice identifies leaders who bridge the infrastructure layer and the customer experience layer - executives who build networks that are intelligent platforms, not dumb pipes.

Networks are no longer dumb pipes.

They are intelligent platforms.

Section 02

LEADERSHIP DOMAINS

Deep specialisation across the connectivity stack - each search led at partner level, each placement held to the same standard.

5G & Wireless Infrastructure

Leaders architecting next-generation wireless networks - executives who understand the convergence of spectrum, infrastructure and edge compute.

Example roles

VP, Network Architecture & Engineering
Head of 5G/6G Strategy & Deployment
VP, Radio Access Network (RAN)
Director, Wireless Systems Engineering

Optical & Fiber Networks

Executives scaling high-capacity fiber and optical systems - leaders driving the physical layer of global connectivity.

Example roles

VP, Optical Networking & Transport
Head of Fiber Network Strategy
VP, Network Planning & Optimization
Director, Subsea & Long-Haul Systems

Satellite & Space Connectivity

Pioneering leaders in LEO/MEO satellite systems, space-based internet and hybrid terrestrial-satellite architectures.

Example roles

VP, Satellite Systems & Ground Infrastructure
Head of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN)
VP, Space Segment Operations
Director, Constellation Management

Edge Compute & IoT

Leaders architecting edge infrastructure for IoT, smart cities and distributed compute - where connectivity meets intelligence.

Example roles

VP, Edge Computing & IoT Platforms
Head of Multi-Access Edge Compute (MEC)
VP, IoT Strategy & Connectivity
Director, Smart Cities & Infrastructure

Network Operators & Service Providers

Executives driving telco modernisation, network virtualisation and the shift from connectivity to platform services.

Example roles

CTO / Chief Network Officer
VP, Network Transformation & Cloudification
Head of OSS/BSS Modernisation
VP, Service Innovation & Platform Strategy

Equipment & Infrastructure Vendors

Leaders at vendors driving Open RAN, disaggregation and the evolution from proprietary hardware to software-defined networks.

Example roles

VP, Product & Systems Engineering
Head of Open RAN & Disaggregation
VP, Radio & Antenna Systems
Director, Network Function Virtualization (NFV)

Section 03

THE MARKET IMPERATIVE

Connectivity is experiencing its most significant architectural shift in decades. The winners will be those who master both the infrastructure layer and the customer experience layer - backed by leaders who understand network APIs, embedded services, B2B platforms and customer intelligence as well as latency and throughput.

$1.4T

Global telecom market (2025 projected)

70B

Connected IoT devices by 2030

10X

Data growth over a five-year CAGR

85%

Network virtualisation by 2028

Section 04

WHY SENTIRO PARTNERS

We understand connectivity leadership at both the infrastructure and commercial levels - combining deep technical fluency with assessment methodologies that identify transformational leaders.

Our practice has placed CTOs who led cloud-native telco transformations, network architects who deployed 5G at national scale and satellite executives who built constellations from scratch.

We assess not just technical credentials but leadership capability - the ability to navigate the shift from hardware to software, build diverse engineering organisations and align network strategy with business outcomes.

In the Augmentation Era, intelligent connectivity isn't optional - it's existential.

Section 05

EMERGING THEMES

The frontier themes reshaping connectivity leadership - and the focus of our most active searches.

CONNECTIVITY &TELECOM

CONNECTIVITY IS THE FOUNDATION

LEADERSHIP DOMAINS

5G & Wireless Infrastructure

Optical & Fiber Networks

Satellite & Space Connectivity

Edge Compute & IoT

Network Operators & Service Providers

Equipment & Infrastructure Vendors

THE MARKET IMPERATIVE

$1.4T

70B

10X

85%

WHY SENTIRO PARTNERS

EMERGING THEMES

Open RAN & network disaggregation

Network slicing & quality of service

Private 5G / enterprise networks

Satellite-terrestrial convergence

Network AI / autonomous operations

Cloud-native network functions

RELATED PRACTICES

Digital & Technology Leadership

Data & AI Leadership

Semiconductor Leadership