Who we work with

Deep in tech.
Deeper in relationships.

A selection of the senior placements we've made across the UK. We work with growth-stage and established tech companies on roles we know we can fill — and we're transparent when we can't.

Tech companies we've placed senior talent into

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How we work

We know the tech sector.

When you brief us on a Frontend Engineer, DevOps role, Solutions Architect, or any other technology position, you get a straight assessment: the market, the brief itself, and whether we're the right fit to work on it. We'll tell you if we're not.

We take on a small number of briefs at a time and run each one with rigour. No volume plays, no spray-and-pray. Your search gets our full attention, every time.

01

Contingent

20% of first-year salary

When to use this engagement: High-volume hiring, urgent vacancies, and roles with flexible start dates.

Fast-track hiring for immediate needs. We source and place candidates on a no-placement, no-fee basis, ideal for urgent roles across Commerce, Finance, Operations, Technology, and Design & Product.

  • Quick turnaround sourcing across all nine sectors
  • Low financial commitment until placement confirmed
  • Flexible for roles that may shift in scope or timeline
Discuss a brief
02

Retained search ★ Featured

30% of first-year salary, in three stages

When to use this engagement: Executive Support, senior Finance, Platform & Infrastructure, and AI & Machine Learning roles.

Dedicated, exclusive recruitment for senior and hard-to-fill positions. We commit resource upfront to find the right candidate, regardless of timeline or market difficulty.

  • Exclusive focus ensures your brief gets undivided attention
  • Proactive market mapping for candidates not actively job-hunting
  • Partnership approach with regular updates and strategic input
Discuss a brief
03

Interim & contract

Margin on day rate

When to use this engagement: Project delivery, cover for absence, and capability gaps requiring immediate expertise.

Flexible staffing for temporary, project-based, or transitional needs. We place experienced professionals in Operations, Technology, Product Engineering, and Executive Support on fixed-term assignments.

  • Access to experienced professionals without permanent commitment
  • Rapid deployment for time-sensitive projects and initiatives
  • Flexibility to extend, reduce, or end assignments as needs evolve
Discuss a brief

Questions we hear from tech hiring managers

What types of tech roles does Northstack specialise in?
We place software engineers (frontend and backend), DevOps professionals, cloud architects, solutions architects, and technical leadership roles across the UK. Our focus is on permanent, contract, and executive-level positions within the technology sector, particularly with growth-stage and established tech companies.
How quickly can you fill a tech role?
It depends on the role and the market, and we'll be upfront about that from day one. When you brief us, we give you a straight assessment of how long it's likely to take based on current demand and the specifics of your brief. We don't make promises we can't keep.
Do you work on multiple roles at once or focus on one at a time?
We take on a small number of briefs at a time so each search gets our full attention. We don't run volume plays or work dozens of roles simultaneously. If we take on your brief, it means we're confident we can fill it properly.
What if you don't think you're the right fit for our role?
We'll tell you. When you brief us, we assess whether it's work we do well and whether we're positioned to deliver. If we're not the right agency for the role, we'll say so upfront rather than waste your time.
How do you assess whether a tech candidate is right for our company?
We dig into the technical requirements and the team dynamics before we put anyone forward. Because we specialise in technology roles, we understand what a DevOps engineer actually does versus a cloud architect, and we assess candidates against the real demands of the role — not just keywords on a CV.
Do you only work with companies based in Oxford?
No. While we're based in Oxford, we place technology professionals across the UK. We work with growth-stage and established tech companies wherever they're located, as long as the role is one we're confident we can fill well.
What happens after I submit a brief?
We'll respond within one working day with a clear view on the market, an honest assessment of your brief, and whether it's work we're positioned to deliver on. If we take it on, you'll get regular updates and a rigorous search process from start to finish.
Do you work on contract roles as well as permanent hires?
Yes. We place permanent, contract, and executive-level technology professionals. Whether you need a contract DevOps specialist for a six-month project or a permanent technical leader, we work on roles across the full spectrum.

Got a tech role
we should know about?

Tell us about the brief. We'll respond within one working day with a clear view on the market, what the role should actually be, and whether it's work we do well.

Brief usWhat we do