- OUR promise
Here to exceed your unique hiring and talent needs.
In the spirit of collaborating, connecting, and cultivating, our differentiators are rooted in building long-term, flexible, and transparent relationships with our clients, keeping their priorities every step of the way.
Keyhires' focus has been met with the purpose of having all of the capabilities of a larger firm while being more nimble and entrepreneurial in the marketplace. This is exhibited by our qualified people, innovative fee structures, and our focused service offerings in Executive Search and Talent Acquisition.
In conjunction with providing talent management services, we provide built-in advisory services with every search, including a detailed compensation analysis, a broader market and industry overview, and the assignment of an Executive Coach to provide onboarding and an accelerated transition for each placement.
- WHAT WE ARE SEEING
The hiring landscape has shifted.
Hiring in today's medical device market has never been more complex. These are the challenges we help our clients solve every day.
01
Regulatory expertise and commercial instinct rarely coexist
Medical device companies need leaders who understand FDA pathways, quality systems, and clinical evidence requirements while also being able to drive commercial growth. That combination is exceptionally hard to find at the VP level and above.
02
Big medtech is losing talent to startups
Venture-backed device startups are offering equity, autonomy, and speed that large manufacturers cannot match. Senior leaders with proven track records are leaving established companies for earlier-stage opportunities, thinning the pipeline for succession.
03
Reimbursement pressures require strategic leadership
Shrinking hospital budgets, value-based care models, and payer scrutiny mean that device companies need executives who can build the health economics and market access case, not just the clinical one.
04
Global supply chains carry outsized risk
Component shortages, sterilization bottlenecks, and geopolitical disruptions have exposed fragile supply chains across the industry. Operations leaders who can build resilience while managing cost are being recruited aggressively.
05
Digital health is blurring traditional boundaries
Software-enabled devices, remote monitoring, and AI-assisted diagnostics are changing what a medical device company even is. You need leaders who can bridge hardware engineering heritage with software and data product thinking.
06
Confidential searches are the norm, not the exception
Product launches, M&A activity, and competitive dynamics mean most senior searches in medical device cannot be publicized. A search partner with deep industry relationships and discretion is critical to reaching passive candidates.
- OUR SERVICES
Two core disciplines. One mission.
Focused expertise in finding and placing the leadership talent that drives your organization forward.
EXECUTIVE SEARCH
Consultants — not recruiters — who build a framework for compensation, retention, and long-term fit, backed by the same data and technology-enabled research behind every KeyHires search.
01 Engagement & discovery
02 Data-backed market research & candidate development
03 Assessment & presentation
04 Negotiation, close & onboarding
- OUR EXPERIENCE
Proven across industry leaders.
Select engagements that demonstrate our depth in the medical device industry.
EvoEndo develops systems that enable unsedated endoscopic procedures through a combination of sterile single-use, ultra-slim, flexible endoscopes, and VR-based patient distraction. Their technology allows patients to receive routine endoscopies without the use of general anesthesia or sedation.
POSITIONS PLACED:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Chief Operating Officer
- Board Member (x3)
Bentec uses state of the art technology and experience for the manufacture of latex-free specialty surgical products and made to order products. Bentec products are made for use in Oncology, Cardiology, Urology, Pediatrics, Bariatric, General Surgery, ENT, and Interventional Radiology
POSITIONS PLACED:
- Chief Executive Officer
Established in 2001, Vidacare is a medical device company developing intraosseous access devices for diagnostic, monitoring, and therapeutic applications. Vidacare Corporation is now owned by Teleflex.
POSITION PLACED:
- Senior Vice President, Business
- Director, Marketing
- Director, Sales Operations
Hello Pediatrics is a healthcare company that focuses on providing telehealth services specifically for children. The company offers a mobile application that allows parents to access primary and pediatric care for their children from the comfort of their homes. The team at Hello Pediatrics consists of board-certified pediatricians who are dedicated to offering comprehensive healthcare solutions.
POSITION PLACED:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Vice President, Sales
Bayou Surgical was founded in 2016 by surgeons in the Texas Medical Center to address one of the greatest unmet needs in minimally invasive surgery - to restore vision from the soiled surgical camera without disrupting the surgical procedure.
POSITION PLACED:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Vice President, Sales
Surgilux Medical is a leading provider of strategic target-focused lighting solutions for surgical procedures. Their innovative technology ensures surgeons have optimal illumination precisely where needed, minimizing risks, and enhancing patient safety.
POSITION PLACED:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Vice President, Sales
- Talent Acquisition Process
From engagement to integration.
The need for qualified senior level executives is drastically outpacing the supply.
- OUR Medical device PRACTICE
Deep roots in medical device leadership.
KeyHires' Medical Devices Practice Group works in both mature and growing businesses supporting search mandates for C-Suite, Senior Executive, and key leadership appointments. Many of these searches need to be conducted in a confidential manner, which we are fully prepared to do.
Our experienced and specialized Healthcare and Life Sciences Consultants know the realities of the rapidly evolving globalization of the world of medical devices.
In addition, they recognize the importance of innovation, are living the speed of transformation in emerging markets and are daily assessing, motivating and recruiting world class leaders, thereby ensuring success and breakthrough performance for our clients.
We strive for excellence and we are always ready to serve you, be it on a regional or national level.
- learn more
Expert Perspectives
Hear from our leadership team on the trends shaping today's hiring landscape.
A hiring misstep does not just impact one role. It affects productivity, operational continuity, team performance, and long-term growth. Managing Directors Morgan and Nick Layton discuss how leadership gaps ripple across an organization and why making the right hire is a strategic business decision.
A failed hire doesn’t stay internal—it sends a signal to the entire market. Competitors, candidates, and industry peers are watching. When a role needs to be refilled, it can erode credibility, “sour the well,” and make it harder to attract top talent. Getting the right leader in place from the start is critical to protecting both performance and reputation.
- YOUR point of contact
The person who knows your industry.
Title: Founder, Chief Executive Officer Email: [email protected] Phone: (847) 722-4180
About Bernard Layton
Bernard Layton has over 35 years of mid-level and senior-level executive search experience executing over 1,000 searches across numerous industries, including Financial Services, Private Equity, Consulting, Food, Retail, Consumer Products, Engineering, Industrial Products, Medical Products, Biotechnology, and Construction.
Before founding KeyHires, he built and led the Chicago office of Stanton Chase beginning in 2008. Previously, Bernard operated his own search practice (Peoplenext, Nicholas Partners) for over 15 years, assisting both U.S. and multi-national clients with their senior management needs.
Earlier in his career, Bernard spent 6 years with S.R. Clarke Executive Search managing key clients in San Francisco and initiating the Chicago office. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors for MorganWorks and S.R. Clarke.
