Executive Search & Leadership Advisory · Est. 2006
About Hunter Ambrose
A trusted partner in executive search and leadership advisory for organizations navigating growth, change, and transition.
Executive Search & Leadership Advisory · Est. 2006
Leaders who
define what's next
Hunter Ambrose is a boutique executive search firm that partners with boards, CEOs, and leadership teams across healthcare, infrastructure, public utilities, family offices, and professional services. The firm focuses on one of the most consequential decisions any organization makes: who is entrusted to lead.
Founded in 2006 in San Diego, California, Hunter Ambrose quickly grew into a national firm, relocating to San Francisco within a few years and being retained by organizations in more than 40 states. In 2026, the firm celebrates its 20th year, now based in Kansas City, Missouri, with executive search work spanning North America and consulting engagements with clients in the European Union, Australia, and Mexico.
Over the past two decades, Hunter Ambrose has supported hundreds of Critical Access Hospitals and rural health organizations, as well as public utilities, law firms, and family offices placing leaders across clinical, financial, operational, and governance roles. The firm maintains a boutique philosophy: limited search volume, high-touch collaboration, and disciplined, research-driven methodology.
The name Hunter Ambrose honors Nicole’s great paternal grandfather, Hunt Ambrose, an entrepreneur born in 1880 who built a family legacy as a businessman and farmer. His example of steady work, ownership, and long-term thinking informs the firm’s approach to client relationships, candidate evaluation, and the way it shows up in the markets it serves.
From retained executive search to interim leadership and selective coaching for senior leaders, Hunter Ambrose is built for organizations that take leadership decisions seriously and want a partner invested in the long-term success of their teams.
98%
Placement Retention Rate
110+
Days to Close, C-Suite Searches
91%
Candidate Interview Rate
71%
Clients Return Within 2 Years
Executive Search & Leadership Advisory · Est. 2006
Where Leadership Hiring Actually Happens.
More than 5 million Americans start a new job every month, yet 80% of executive hires never touch a job board. The leaders your competitors are trying to find are not actively applying—they are leading organizations, managing teams, and delivering results.
While job boards and internal recruitment teams serve an important purpose, executive searches often occur only once every few years—or even once a decade. Most organizations simply do not conduct enough leadership searches to build the networks, market intelligence, candidate relationships, and search infrastructure necessary to consistently attract top executive talent.
Hunter Ambrose conducts executive searches year-round. For nearly two decades, we have engaged executive leaders across healthcare, public utilities, family offices, and professional services, building relationships and market insight that cannot be replicated through a job posting alone.
Our flat-fee retained structure eliminates compensation-based fees and surprise costs, providing a transparent investment from start to finish. Every search is managed with discipline, discretion, and accountability—and backed by a one-year placement guarantee.
When leadership matters, organizations don’t need more applicants—they need access to the right candidates.
01 — Discovery
Role Design & Strategic Alignment
We begin where most firms don’t — understanding your organization’s leadership philosophy, culture, and the precise performance expectations that define success in this role before a single candidate is identified.
02 — Activation
Network Outreach & Market Intelligence
Proprietary outreach into passive networks built over two decades. We identify leaders who are performing, not just available — then position your opportunity to compete for their attention.
03 — Delivery
Curated Presentation & Close
A disciplined pipeline, not a volume game. Every candidate presented has been thoroughly vetted against your criteria. We close on time, on budget, and with a one-year placement guarantee behind every engagement.
Executive Search & Leadership Advisory · Est. 2006
Why Choose Hunter Ambrose
A more deliberate approach to leadership decisions.
At Hunter Ambrose, we approach executive search as a strategic advisory—not a transactional service. We recognize that leadership decisions shape the trajectory of an organization, and we bring a level of rigor, discretion, and judgment that reflects the importance of that responsibility. Every engagement is partner-led, ensuring continuity, accountability, and a deep understanding of both the role and the broader context in which it operates.
We work selectively, allowing us to go beyond surface-level qualifications and focus on identifying leaders who align with your organization’s long-term vision. Through a relationship-driven approach and direct market engagement, we access exceptional talent and deliver outcomes designed for lasting impact.
What sets us apart:
- Partner-led engagements with senior-level involvement throughout
- A highly selective approach focused on depth, not volume
- Access to exceptional, often off-market leadership talent
- Rigorous evaluation of leadership, culture, and long-term fit
- Strategic advisory perspective—not just execution
- Absolute discretion and professionalism in every engagement
- A focus on long-term impact, not short-term placement
Recent Placements
Leaders we placed this year
Chief Financial Officer
Special Water District
Chief Nursing Officer
Critical Access Hospital
Chief of Staff
Ultra-High-Net-Worth Family Office
Chief Operating Officer
Regional Law Firm
General Manager
Special Water District
Vice President of Marketing
National Healthcare Organization
Director, Revenue Cycle
Regional Health System
Fractional Chief Financial Officer
Growth-Stage Organization
Administrator
Mass Torts Practice
Clinical Manager
Hospice Services
Start the Conversation
Your next leader is already out there.
If your organization is preparing for a leadership transition or strategic hire, we welcome a confidential conversation. No obligation — just clarity on how we can help you find the leader your organization needs.