Operators helping operators build exceptional teams.

Building the teams that shape the future and the tools that transform hiring.

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We're not your typical recruiters. We are founders and operators that have built, scaled and exited high growth companies. 

We're not your typical recruiters. We are founders and operators that have built, scaled and exited high growth companies. 

The ways we work.

Search

We help you find the best person on the market for specific positions. Strategic role consultation, advanced discovery methods, and comprehensive assessment by operators who understand what exceptional talent looks like.

Search

We help you find the best person on the market for specific positions. Strategic role consultation, advanced discovery methods, and comprehensive assessment by operators who understand what exceptional talent looks like.

Search

We help you find the best person on the market for specific positions. Strategic role consultation, advanced discovery methods, and comprehensive assessment by operators who understand what exceptional talent looks like.

Projects

For larger hiring initiatives or team building, we take on comprehensive talent acquisition projects. From startup team formation to scaling engineering departments, we manage the entire process strategically end to end.

Projects

For larger hiring initiatives or team building, we take on comprehensive talent acquisition projects. From startup team formation to scaling engineering departments, we manage the entire process strategically end to end.

Projects

For larger hiring initiatives or team building, we take on comprehensive talent acquisition projects. From startup team formation to scaling engineering departments, we manage the entire process strategically end to end.

Hiring Blueprint

Get strategic hiring advice from operators who've scaled teams at your stage. Free 60-90 minute sessions covering role definition, team sequencing, and hiring strategy - with a comprehensive playbook delivered within 24 hours.

Hiring Blueprint

Get strategic hiring advice from operators who've scaled teams at your stage. Free 60-90 minute sessions covering role definition, team sequencing, and hiring strategy - with a comprehensive playbook delivered within 24 hours.

Hiring Blueprint

Get strategic hiring advice from operators who've scaled teams at your stage. Free 60-90 minute sessions covering role definition, team sequencing, and hiring strategy - with a comprehensive playbook delivered within 24 hours.

We hire across these areas.

AI Engineers

Software Engineering

C-Suite

UX/UI

Data Analytics

Product Management

Data Analysis

Finance & Commercial

GTM

What our clients say about us.

Hear from some our clients and their experience of working with NextPlay.

User

The process has been really, really good. The team works amazingly despite being an early-stage company. Their AI knowledge is absolutely top-level. They're living and breathing it - not just understanding it but actively developing tools that leverage AI in recruitment. They speak the same language and understand it from user, organizational, and product-building perspectives.

Ben

Co-Founder

BeyondOS ($35m funded startup)

User

The process has been really, really good. The team works amazingly despite being an early-stage company. Their AI knowledge is absolutely top-level. They're living and breathing it - not just understanding it but actively developing tools that leverage AI in recruitment. They speak the same language and understand it from user, organizational, and product-building perspectives.

Ben

Co-Founder

BeyondOS ($35m funded startup)

User

The process has been really, really good. The team works amazingly despite being an early-stage company. Their AI knowledge is absolutely top-level. They're living and breathing it - not just understanding it but actively developing tools that leverage AI in recruitment. They speak the same language and understand it from user, organizational, and product-building perspectives.

Ben

Co-Founder

BeyondOS ($35m funded startup)

User

Great hire, great cultural and technical fit that ramped up quickly. Throughout the process, communication was high-touch, constant, and authentic. Kris kept us fully across everything, even setting up a dedicated Slack channel to streamline updates and collaboration. He was highly attentive and always a step ahead. The process was clear, expectations were well managed, and both the candidates and our internal team commented on how enjoyable and seamless the experience was. A fantastic partner to work with.

Jacqueline

COO, CFO

VC Backed Scaleup

User

Great hire, great cultural and technical fit that ramped up quickly. Throughout the process, communication was high-touch, constant, and authentic. Kris kept us fully across everything, even setting up a dedicated Slack channel to streamline updates and collaboration. He was highly attentive and always a step ahead. The process was clear, expectations were well managed, and both the candidates and our internal team commented on how enjoyable and seamless the experience was. A fantastic partner to work with.

Jacqueline

COO, CFO

VC Backed Scaleup

User

Great hire, great cultural and technical fit that ramped up quickly. Throughout the process, communication was high-touch, constant, and authentic. Kris kept us fully across everything, even setting up a dedicated Slack channel to streamline updates and collaboration. He was highly attentive and always a step ahead. The process was clear, expectations were well managed, and both the candidates and our internal team commented on how enjoyable and seamless the experience was. A fantastic partner to work with.

Jacqueline

COO, CFO

VC Backed Scaleup

User

Kris is a talented, strategic advisor in the people and culture space who helped me immensely in 2024. He has become a trusted advisor that I will continue to work with in the future. Kris is a well-rounded, empathetic, highly intelligent strategic advisor who I highly recommend. Kris isn’t a recruiter; he’s redefining the industry!

Damian

CTO

Expert360

User

Kris is a talented, strategic advisor in the people and culture space who helped me immensely in 2024. He has become a trusted advisor that I will continue to work with in the future. Kris is a well-rounded, empathetic, highly intelligent strategic advisor who I highly recommend. Kris isn’t a recruiter; he’s redefining the industry!

Damian

CTO

Expert360

User

Kris is a talented, strategic advisor in the people and culture space who helped me immensely in 2024. He has become a trusted advisor that I will continue to work with in the future. Kris is a well-rounded, empathetic, highly intelligent strategic advisor who I highly recommend. Kris isn’t a recruiter; he’s redefining the industry!

Damian

CTO

Expert360

User

He builds strong, long-lasting and genuine relationships with employers and candidates - always ensuring the utmost professionalism and fair-mindedness throughout the process. I would highly recommend Kris to any business who wants to approach their recruitment in a personable, intellectual, strategic and empathetic manner. I can't wait to work with him again! Highly recommend NextPlay and the entire team.

Stef

Global Sales Leader

TRIBE (Scaleup)

User

He builds strong, long-lasting and genuine relationships with employers and candidates - always ensuring the utmost professionalism and fair-mindedness throughout the process. I would highly recommend Kris to any business who wants to approach their recruitment in a personable, intellectual, strategic and empathetic manner. I can't wait to work with him again! Highly recommend NextPlay and the entire team.

Stef

Global Sales Leader

TRIBE (Scaleup)

User

He builds strong, long-lasting and genuine relationships with employers and candidates - always ensuring the utmost professionalism and fair-mindedness throughout the process. I would highly recommend Kris to any business who wants to approach their recruitment in a personable, intellectual, strategic and empathetic manner. I can't wait to work with him again! Highly recommend NextPlay and the entire team.

Stef

Global Sales Leader

TRIBE (Scaleup)

User

NextPlay’s key strength is a deep understanding of both clients and candidates. Kris and his team align values, career goals, and long-term potential, ensuring every placement is the right fit. Candidates working with NextPlay don’t just land roles, they receive valuable guidance on building the right profile, managing emotions throughout the hiring process, and developing their careers with confidence.  If you’re looking for a recruiter who genuinely cares about outcomes and creates real value for both companies and candidates, Kris and NextPlay are who you should talk to.

Brian

Executive Sales Leader

Everway

User

NextPlay’s key strength is a deep understanding of both clients and candidates. Kris and his team align values, career goals, and long-term potential, ensuring every placement is the right fit. Candidates working with NextPlay don’t just land roles, they receive valuable guidance on building the right profile, managing emotions throughout the hiring process, and developing their careers with confidence.  If you’re looking for a recruiter who genuinely cares about outcomes and creates real value for both companies and candidates, Kris and NextPlay are who you should talk to.

Brian

Executive Sales Leader

Everway

User

NextPlay’s key strength is a deep understanding of both clients and candidates. Kris and his team align values, career goals, and long-term potential, ensuring every placement is the right fit. Candidates working with NextPlay don’t just land roles, they receive valuable guidance on building the right profile, managing emotions throughout the hiring process, and developing their careers with confidence.  If you’re looking for a recruiter who genuinely cares about outcomes and creates real value for both companies and candidates, Kris and NextPlay are who you should talk to.

Brian

Executive Sales Leader

Everway

Thank you so much! I really appreciate how hard you worked on this search for us. I thought your process was amazing. I couldn't fault one thing. You were so dedicated and relentless in the search.

Ariella

CEO & Founder

OVUM. Technology

Thank you so much! I really appreciate how hard you worked on this search for us. I thought your process was amazing. I couldn't fault one thing. You were so dedicated and relentless in the search.

Ariella

CEO & Founder

OVUM. Technology

Thank you so much! I really appreciate how hard you worked on this search for us. I thought your process was amazing. I couldn't fault one thing. You were so dedicated and relentless in the search.

Ariella

CEO & Founder

OVUM. Technology

Meet the founders behind NextPlay.

James Jennings

Co-Founder

James is a former recruiter turned founder whose last startup was acquired by SEEK. At NextPlay, he’s building an AI-driven hiring platform to streamline recruitment and give companies a sharper edge in attracting top talent.

James Jennings

Co-Founder

James is a former recruiter turned founder whose last startup was acquired by SEEK. At NextPlay, he’s building an AI-driven hiring platform to streamline recruitment and give companies a sharper edge in attracting top talent.

James Jennings

Co-Founder

James is a former recruiter turned founder whose last startup was acquired by SEEK. At NextPlay, he’s building an AI-driven hiring platform to streamline recruitment and give companies a sharper edge in attracting top talent.

Car

Kris Owens

Co-Founder

With 13 years in recruitment, Kris helps founders define what the “right hire” really means. At NextPlay, he brings his expertise to improve recruiter efficiency while preserving the human touch.

Car

Kris Owens

Co-Founder

With 13 years in recruitment, Kris helps founders define what the “right hire” really means. At NextPlay, he brings his expertise to improve recruiter efficiency while preserving the human touch.

Car

Kris Owens

Co-Founder

With 13 years in recruitment, Kris helps founders define what the “right hire” really means. At NextPlay, he brings his expertise to improve recruiter efficiency while preserving the human touch.

Greg Freeman

Co-Founder, CTO

Greg is a 3x CTO who’s led global tech teams through two exits, one over $100M. At NextPlay, he’s rethinking talent acquisition with a non-recruiter lens to build a powerful AI-Native platform.

Greg Freeman

Co-Founder, CTO

Greg is a 3x CTO who’s led global tech teams through two exits, one over $100M. At NextPlay, he’s rethinking talent acquisition with a non-recruiter lens to build a powerful AI-Native platform.

Greg Freeman

Co-Founder, CTO

Greg is a 3x CTO who’s led global tech teams through two exits, one over $100M. At NextPlay, he’s rethinking talent acquisition with a non-recruiter lens to build a powerful AI-Native platform.

Our process is designed to find you a difference maker with each role. 

Our process is designed to find you a difference maker with each role. 

Company Analysis

Get a hiring partner who truly understands your business, not just your job requirements.

You'll work with former founders who understand your challenges because they've lived them. This deep context means every candidate conversation focuses on genuine fit with your culture, growth stage, and strategic direction.

Company Analysis

Get a hiring partner who truly understands your business, not just your job requirements.

You'll work with former founders who understand your challenges because they've lived them. This deep context means every candidate conversation focuses on genuine fit with your culture, growth stage, and strategic direction.

Company Analysis

Get a hiring partner who truly understands your business, not just your job requirements.

You'll work with former founders who understand your challenges because they've lived them. This deep context means every candidate conversation focuses on genuine fit with your culture, growth stage, and strategic direction.

Role Definition

Get crystal clear on exactly what success looks like and how to recognise it in candidates.

You'll receive a detailed hiring framework that defines specific outcomes, success metrics, and assessment criteria for your role. This clarity eliminates guesswork and ensures every interview focuses on what matters for your business.

Role Definition

Get crystal clear on exactly what success looks like and how to recognise it in candidates.

You'll receive a detailed hiring framework that defines specific outcomes, success metrics, and assessment criteria for your role. This clarity eliminates guesswork and ensures every interview focuses on what matters for your business.

Role Definition

Get crystal clear on exactly what success looks like and how to recognise it in candidates.

You'll receive a detailed hiring framework that defines specific outcomes, success metrics, and assessment criteria for your role. This clarity eliminates guesswork and ensures every interview focuses on what matters for your business.

Market Positioning

Stand out in competitive talent markets with compelling assets that showcase your opportunity.

You'll receive high-quality content including candidate websites and founder videos that help passive talent understand your vision. This ensures the best candidates are excited about your opportunity when they speak with you.

Market Positioning

Stand out in competitive talent markets with compelling assets that showcase your opportunity.

You'll receive high-quality content including candidate websites and founder videos that help passive talent understand your vision. This ensures the best candidates are excited about your opportunity when they speak with you.

Market Positioning

Stand out in competitive talent markets with compelling assets that showcase your opportunity.

You'll receive high-quality content including candidate websites and founder videos that help passive talent understand your vision. This ensures the best candidates are excited about your opportunity when they speak with you.

Talent Discovery & Outreach

Access exceptional candidates who aren't actively looking but are perfect for your opportunity.

Your search extends beyond job boards and Linkedin. Our intelligence signals identify high-potential candidates based on career patterns, while our expert recruiters engage transformative talent.

Talent Discovery & Outreach

Access exceptional candidates who aren't actively looking but are perfect for your opportunity.

Your search extends beyond job boards and Linkedin. Our intelligence signals identify high-potential candidates based on career patterns, while our expert recruiters engage transformative talent.

Talent Discovery & Outreach

Access exceptional candidates who aren't actively looking but are perfect for your opportunity.

Your search extends beyond job boards and Linkedin. Our intelligence signals identify high-potential candidates based on career patterns, while our expert recruiters engage transformative talent.

White Glove Experience

Win top talent in competitive markets through exceptional candidate experiences.

Every touchpoint reflects your culture and values, ensuring candidates choose you. Strategic timing, thoughtful messaging, and coordination position your company as the obvious choice.

White Glove Experience

Win top talent in competitive markets through exceptional candidate experiences.

Every touchpoint reflects your culture and values, ensuring candidates choose you. Strategic timing, thoughtful messaging, and coordination position your company as the obvious choice.

White Glove Experience

Win top talent in competitive markets through exceptional candidate experiences.

Every touchpoint reflects your culture and values, ensuring candidates choose you. Strategic timing, thoughtful messaging, and coordination position your company as the obvious choice.

Onboarding & Integration

Ensure your new hires succeed with structured integration support and ongoing partnership.

Your investment is protected with structured onboarding and ongoing support ensuring successful integration. Continued partnership as your team grows, with regular check-ins.

Onboarding & Integration

Ensure your new hires succeed with structured integration support and ongoing partnership.

Your investment is protected with structured onboarding and ongoing support ensuring successful integration. Continued partnership as your team grows, with regular check-ins.

Onboarding & Integration

Ensure your new hires succeed with structured integration support and ongoing partnership.

Your investment is protected with structured onboarding and ongoing support ensuring successful integration. Continued partnership as your team grows, with regular check-ins.

We are building the future of hiring.

Powered by proprietary intelligence tools that give our clients an unfair advantage in the talent market.

Identify Hidden Talent

We enrich candidate profiles at scale using advanced analytics to uncover capabilities and potential that traditional recruitment methods often overlook in today's competitive market.

Identify Hidden Talent

We enrich candidate profiles at scale using advanced analytics to uncover capabilities and potential that traditional recruitment methods often overlook in today's competitive market.

Identify Hidden Talent

We enrich candidate profiles at scale using advanced analytics to uncover capabilities and potential that traditional recruitment methods often overlook in today's competitive market.

Monitor Hiring Signals

Our platform continuously tracks high-potential candidates, detecting key indicators and behavioural patterns that signal when they're ready for their next career move.

Monitor Hiring Signals

Our platform continuously tracks high-potential candidates, detecting key indicators and behavioural patterns that signal when they're ready for their next career move.

Monitor Hiring Signals

Our platform continuously tracks high-potential candidates, detecting key indicators and behavioural patterns that signal when they're ready for their next career move.

Get Competitor Insights

Get strategic advantage through our monitoring of competitor hiring trends, identifying talent open to opportunities, and analysis of organisational structures to inform your recruitment strategy.

Get Competitor Insights

Get strategic advantage through our monitoring of competitor hiring trends, identifying talent open to opportunities, and analysis of organisational structures to inform your recruitment strategy.

Get Competitor Insights

Get strategic advantage through our monitoring of competitor hiring trends, identifying talent open to opportunities, and analysis of organisational structures to inform your recruitment strategy.