Start a SearchExecutive search built for PE-backed essential services. Eighteen verticals across North America. One standard.
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to match.The sector rewards dedicated focus. Its operators don't surface from a database or a coverage map. They surface from repeated contact, long memory, and the kind of questions you can only ask if you've spent enough time in the sector to know which ones matter.
Depth compounds. Breadth doesn't.
The pace is unforgiving. A platform closing thirty add-ons a year needs the right operator on a short window, not a long one.
And the operators worth finding are working. Running crews. Rebuilding a commercial division that was mis-integrated three years ago. Six months into a founder earnout and trying to make it work.
They surface when someone has been in the market long enough to know who they are.
Founder acquisition. Operational integration. Add-on cadence. Multiple expansion. Each stage depends on whoever is in the seat to actually run it.
The leader in the seat is the thesis.
That's why we built INC'D.
Four specificities, overlapping exactly. Nothing else pulls us sideways.
A quick note on how we get paid, since it shapes everything else.
Our fee is tied to the right outcome, not to the size of the package or the length of the search. Same terms for every client, every time. Transparency doesn't survive when terms are negotiable.
It's a model we built on purpose. The traditional setup pushes search firms to inflate deals and stretch timelines. We're not interested in either.
If the direction's interesting, let's talk. The specifics live in the conversation.
There's a difference, and it shows in how we run the process.
Here's the other half of the work.
If you've been on the receiving end of executive search, you already know the problems. The generic InMail that reads like it got the job. The interview round that just ended in silence. The firm that courted you hard in March, then you never heard from them again. Treated like a line item instead of an operator with a career.
We built INC'D on the opposite idea.
Know the operator before any specific mandate opens, so when the right seat comes up, we already know who you are. Outreach that's been researched, not mail-merged. And every process closes, whether it's a yes or a no.
is new.
Same sector. Same operators. Different name on the door.
"In the world of recruiting, Cosmos is a unicorn.
I was highly skeptical of using a recruiting agency to fill a critical role, and even after my experience I still am skeptical of other recruiting agencies. Cosmos is one of the top 5 professionals I have ever worked with.
He is relentless, focused and calculated. Every moment of my time spent working with Cosmos was worth it. He is the choice for any executive who is strapped for time and task saturated."
"I highly recommend Nick for his exceptional professionalism and insight throughout the hiring process.
He provided clear, transparent expectations from the start and demonstrated a deep understanding of the leadership team, both in terms of company culture and the specific qualities in a candidate.
His guidance was focused, thoughtful, and made the experience seamless and productive. Thank you Nick!"
"I am writing this on behalf of Cosmos Lemos. During the past year, Cosmos and I have worked together to find my next job opportunity as a CFO for a world class private equity backed company.
I have been thoroughly impressed with his expertise and knowledge of which roles may utilize my skill set to increase enterprise value.
Cosmos constantly demonstrates high level skills of compassion, innovation and consistent communication with me and the rest of his network."
"Nick's one of those rare recruiters who just gets it. No pressure, no fluff. Just smart, well-targeted opportunities and straight talk.
We've worked together a few times and the experience was smooth from start to finish. He knows the space inside and out, and he's easy to work with. Responsive, honest, and focused on finding a real match, not just checking boxes.
If you're in the PE-backed world and need serious leadership talent, Nick's definitely someone worth following and connecting with."
"Cosmos was unlike any other recruiter that I worked with in the last 5 years.
He really wanted to get to know me as a person first, to determine a good fit with a future company. He presented 3 potential companies and was excellent at scheduling, constant updates on timing and the decision making process.
It came down to 2 opportunities and was a great coach on assisting in choosing the correct opportunity."
"Nick was very professional and knowledgeable throughout the whole recruiting process.
He reached out before and after each interview, providing helpful tips and overall candidate support. He is a pleasure to work with, I highly recommend him for your job searches."
"I had the pleasure of working with Cosmos Lemos as my executive recruiter, and I couldn't be more impressed with his professionalism and expertise.
He consistently demonstrated timely follow-up and provided valuable insights throughout the process. Cosmos is a positive thought leader who brings a wealth of knowledge and a can-do attitude to every interaction.
I highly recommend him to anyone seeking a top-notch recruiter who truly cares about his clients' success."
"Top Notch Experience. I would recommend Nick without hesitation.
Thank you for all your help connecting me with the right company and right position."
Cos built his craft without the industry's blessing. Wrong accent. Wrong background. Wrong skin. Kept out of the rooms where careers are made, he learned the work in the calls no one else wanted to take. He did it anyway. Now he's built a firm that opens those rooms to everyone.
Before INC'D, Nick came to work with Cos at their old firm. His task: build an essential services market from zero. He did. The rest of the industry sold decks over operators. Databases over judgment. He wasn't built to work that way. So he built a firm that wasn't either.
Our thesis? That platform leadership, sponsors, and operators in essential services deserve a firm built specifically to serve them.
No one else gets our attention.
The best searches are mapped months before the seat opens.
