Hire above your weight.
We partner with founders at the inflection point. Companies growing fast enough to need real talent acquisition, but not ready to build a full TA function in-house. We blend the strategic advantage of an internal team with the speed, flexibility, and reach of an experienced staffing partner.
Our Approach
On Demand, On Point.
All too often, companies invest significant resources into talent acquisition without seeing results. We provide hiring support tailored to your needs, ideal for growing teams, specialized positions, and high-priority initiatives, without the burden of ongoing commitments.
Seed to Series C
Stage
5 to 15 hires
In 12 months
GTM
Specialization
Flexible
Engagement models
What We Do
Four ways to work with us.
01 · RaaS
Recruiting-as-a-Service (RaaS)
A dedicated recruiter who owns end-to-end hiring for a defined engagement. Senior-led from intake through close. Ideal when hiring volume warrants a partner but not a full TA function.
- Embedded or Fractional
- Pipeline Management
- Agentic AI workflows
- Reporting & Analytics
02 · Advisory
Talent Acquisition Advisory
We help companies build and optimize their hiring engine: Assess, design, build, then hand you the keys. The deliverable is infrastructure that compounds, not a permanent dependency on us.
- Fractional TA Leadership
- Workforce Planning
- Employer Branding & EVP Activation
- Recruiting Operations: Tech Audits and Implementations
03 · Search
Retained Search
Retained search for the critical hires that define a company's trajectory. GTM & technical specialization, run by a senior partner from start to close.
- Executive Recruiting
- Multi-hire campaigns
- Flexible Engagement models
04 · Augmentation
Staff Augmentation
Quickly scale teams up or down based on project demands, accelerate delivery timelines, and fill critical skill gaps. Improve operational agility, and access expertise that may not exist in-house.
- Contract
- Contract-to-hire
- Managed Services
- Payroll Services
About
Recruiting, from the operator's seat.
Most recruiters work one side of the table. Jake has worked both.
With over 25 years in the industry, he's built and led agency operations and talent functions inside growing companies. He now brings that leadership and operator lens to advisory work. Pursuit is the consolidation of that experience into one firm. A partner that thinks like the hiring manager, not the vendor, and treats every search as a decision that shapes the trajectory of the business.
The work spans technical and non-technical hiring. Sales leaders from AE to CRO, founding and senior engineers, product managers, marketers, finance hires. The best engagements share a shape: founders and executives who want a partner at the table, not a vendor on the other end of an email. Together, we understand the business, not just the requisition, and close the gap between what a company thinks it needs and what will actually move the needle.
Based in Austin, with a central Texas network built since 2001.
Recent Engagements
TA Infrastructure
National Beverage Brand
An 800-employee organization with no internal recruiter. We built the function from scratch. Process, ATS, compensation structures, employer branding. We transformed how they attract and hire across the business.
800+
Employees
0 → 1
TA Function Built
Full Stack
ATS · Process · Brand
Ongoing
Strategic Partnership
Retained Search
Venture-Backed Fintech
A fintech platform needed senior leadership across development, go-to-market, and engineering. Through retained search, we placed the roles that set the foundation for their next stage of growth.
3
Retained Searches
Executive
Caliber Talent
2 of 3
Placed to Date
Senior
Leadership Roles
Reviews
What clients and teammates say
★★★★★
“An Impressive Leader”
I worked with Jake for about a year and a half, during which time he took on a heavy workload and made sure each person on our team had ample opportunities. He’s not only an impressive recruiter, but he wants to pass his knowledge onto others and will always take the opportunity to learn more himself. Jake is honest, hard working, personable, and trusting, all things that make him a wonderful leader!
Direct Report
★★★★★
“Recruiting Foundations”
Jake came into my recruitment career at an early and formulative stage. Before him, I was operating mostly on gut instincts and luck. Jake quickly gave me incredible insight into the fundamentals of successful Talent Acquisition. Some of the questions I use in my interviews today were directly from him. The effort I make to build immediate trust with my hiring managers from our first intake meeting was inspired by him. The idea that recruiters are also sellers really made a positive impact on my professional development. I’m beyond thankful I got to spend time with him at Atmosphere! (He’s also a great guy!) Thanks Jake!
Direct Report
★★★★★
“Thorough & Communicative”
I’ve never worked with a more thorough, communicative talent manager than Jake. From our first conversation, it was apparent that Jake authentically cares about the success of his clients and helping businesses grow with the right team through his networks and relationships. With constant check-ins and honest conversations, I knew exactly what to expect from my new employer and vice versa. I highly recommend working with Jake if you’re a candidate on the market or a company looking to grow your team.
Client
★★★★★
“Truly Impressed”
I’ve known Jake for over 10 years but recently had the opportunity to work for him and I was truly impressed! I expected a lot from him as I know who he is and what he’s capable of, but actually seeing him in action in his realm was great. He’s attentive, passionate, honest, and reliable. Jake’s going to continue to do great things in the recruiting space!
Client
CW
★★★★★
“Proven Track Record”
Jake has a proven track record and is a delight to work with! He was highly engaged and motivated which resulted in him finding us the perfect candidate.
Client
★★★★★
“Selfless Leader”
I have the pleasure of knowing and have worked with Jake for several years. Jake is a self-less leader and partner who will do anything to help someone in need. He is extremely charismatic and people tend to gravitate toward him. He always puts the team first and works with a passion and a purpose. His clients, contractors and business partners love him because of these and many other core competencies he exhibits everyday. Jake was a big part of our regional success in the SW during our time together. I would highly recommend Jake for a executive leadership role.
Peer
★★★★★
“Above Reproach”
I have worked with Jake for the last year and have found his capabilities and commitments to be above reproach. He took the time to understand my abilities and career goals which have been used to great success in my job search. After landing a role he has stayed committed to our relationship and the relationship to the client. I HIGHLY recommend Jake to anyone looking for new opportunities.
Client
★★★★★
“Personal & Professional”
I had the pleasure of working with Jake as a candidate during a job search. Jake took the time to understand my abilities, get to know me personally and assist me with a great job fit. He provided valuable advice and excellent follow up along the way. If you are an individual looking for a job or a company looking for talent, I would highly recommend Jake.
Client
★★★★★
“Excellent Sales Manager”
Jake is an excellent sales manager. He helped me get ramped up in the business with no prior knowledge of the staffing industry to landing a 10+ person project as my first job order. He coached me to understand the influencing factors that business leaders face and how to speak to them about our own value propositions in a compelling way. Highly recommend.
Direct Report
★★★★★
“Connects with Teams”
I had the privilege of working with and for Jake for nearly 10 years at Aerotek. Jake has a remarkable ability to lead teams and hit goals. His ability to connect with his team personally and professionally is second to none. Jake is solutions driven professional and has a great business mind that allows him to navigate a customer’s organization, create value with the customer, and negotiate the best deal for his team creating a win-win solution for his partners.
Direct Report
★★★★★
“Top-Notch Service”
I worked for Jake for 4 years while at Aerotek. Jake was one of the best Account Managers in our Austin office and consistently was above company goals. In addition, Jake had a strong ability to relate to his clients as well as always provide top notch customer service. He also had the ability to push his team to be the best and demanded accountability within his teams. I would highly recommend Jake to any organization within the industry!
Direct Report
★★★★★
“Real-Time Feedback”
I had the pleasure of working with Jake Valles from 2011 - 2015 during his time at Aerotek. He hired me as a recruiter, promoted me into a sales manager, and then helped myself and our office achieve our professional goals. Jake is an extremely driven individual who loves to compete, loves to win, and shows up every day with a positive attitude. His business acumen in front of customers is top notch and he always follows up on any promises he has made to his clients. Jake takes the time to learn not only the staffing needs of his clients but the actual business needs, which in our industry, is key. Jake shaped me into the sales manager I am today through professional development and real time feedback. I truly enjoyed working for him and being apart of his team. He will continue to make phenomenal strides in his professional career.
Direct Report
★★★★★
“Positive Aura”
I’ve worked with Jake for over 5 years and can say there are few I’d rather work with or spend time with than Jake. His attitude and committment to the role is second to none! He also brings a positive aura to every room and always exceeds expectation! I’d recommend Jake as a business partner to anyone.
Peer
RA
★★★★★
“Great Asset”
Jake has provided services for me with several companies, his experience and attention to detail along with his customer relations make him a great asset as a vendor to any company.
Client
★★★★★
“Diagnoses Client Pains”
Jake has an amazing ability to provide value to all of his customers. His direct approach to situations and his ability to diagnose his client’s pains enables him to provide quality service day in and day out. Jake sales approach is one to be admired as it is with his peers in the office and in his region.
Peer
★★★★★
“Top Performer”
Jake is one of Aerotek’s top performing sales managers. He builds great relationships with his clients and well respected by his peers. Over the past 3 yrs Jake has been instrumental in my growth with Aerotek.
Direct Report
★★★★★
“Goes the Extra Mile”
Jake is a detail-oriented sales professional with a strong ability to effectively identify and close business. He is excellent with clients and is willing to go the extra mile to ensure top level services are provided. Very well respected by his team and peers at Aerotek.
Peer