A Tailored Approach to Leadership Recruitment in Alternative Investments
Hudson Gate Partners has established itself as a leader in executive search, specializing in the alternative investments sector. At the forefront of this success is Dawn Magnotta, head of the infrastructure practice, whose career spans over two decades in recruiting and finance. She recently sat down with Hunt Scanlon Media to discuss the firm’s approach to executive search, her observations in the alternative investments sector, and how she measures the success of candidates placed by Hudson Gate.
January 13, 2025 – The executive search industry attracts individuals for various reasons. Some are motivated by a passion for talent acquisition and the desire to assist organizations in securing top leadership. Others are drawn to the chance to work across different sectors and develop robust professional connections. Additionally, the promise of lucrative earnings and opportunities for career growth makes the field particularly appealing. But many that are in the field say it’s the true passion for people and finding the right fit for organizations.
Dawn Magnotta, head of the infrastructure practice at Hudson Gate Partners, joined the firm in 2016 and has over 20 years of recruiting experience in the alternative investments area. She has expertise in accounting, legal/compliance, human resources and operations executive search. Ms. Magnotta is also the co-head of the C-level executive search practice. Her expertise ranges from C-level to searches in the hedge fund, private equity, and family office space.
At the beginning of Ms. Magnotta’s career, she started out as an accountant at the investment banks. “I soon transitioned onto the investment side in mortgage bond sales,” she said. “During my time in bond sales, I was able to obtain a foundation in both the operational and the investment side of the business. I learned a lot about derivative products, and the clients I worked with were in the alternative investment arena, in hedge funds, pension funds.”
“I believe that my foundation working in accounting, operations, and the investment side is very unique in recruiting and definitely gives us an advantage, because not only do we have a strong understanding of what our clients do and the products they work with, but we also have a unique understanding of the type of people that work within alternative investments, culture fits, and career progression for candidates,” Ms. Magnotta said. “After working in finance, I went back to school part time to become a therapist. I received my master’s and post-master’s in counseling at NYU. My foundation and knowledge in the financial services business combined with my counseling expertise helps when talking to clients as far as helping advise them on what type of candidate they need, and what type of expertise they need. I am also a counselor to our candidates; we’re able to find a fine balance and put the clients’ and candidates’ needs first. We also act as career counselors to our candidates and help guide them through their career, whether it be taking a role with us or another firm.”
During her time at Hudson Gate Partners, the firm has helped to launch a few funds with over $1 billion. Ms. Magnotta and her team have worked with the newly launched funds to help them hire their first accounting professional, their first operations professional, their first general counsel, as well as some other key roles. “There are many challenges we encounter when building out infrastructure teams,” Ms. Magnotta said. “We need to truly understand a fund’s vision for their culture, and make sure that we are able to communicate it to potential candidates. We also need to conduct intensive market research on compensation at different levels. Usually, even before we start a search, we present a range of candidates at different experience levels. Finally, we work together with our client to craft an interview plan for each and every role, serving as advisors through each step of the process.”
Ms. Magnotta recently sat down with Hunt Scanlon Media to discuss her approach to executive search, what she is seeing in the alternative investment space, and measuring the success of candidates that Hudson Gate places.
“At Hudson Gate Partners, we do not just take a job description from a client and use that as our only tool to find them the best hire. We take the time to meet with clients, and really understand what it is they are looking for, what has not worked in the past, and where the gaps are (culturally and technically). We also get to know the individuals on the client team, so that we understand how current individuals collaborate, and what resources might be available to the new hire. We approach each search as trusted consultants/advisors. Most of the time, even within the search, a lot can evolve (the client realizes they need someone with more experience, less experience, budgets shift, etc.). Not only do we execute the actual search, but we also provide clients with updated market data, in regards to compensation and team structures.”