In Conversation with Daniel O’Connell, Head of Technology Recruitment at Elevate Partners

Daniel focuses on senior executive hires — such as CTOs and VPs of Engineering — alongside specialist appointments including Software Engineers, DevOps Engineers, Site Reliability Engineers, IT Managers, and IT Project Managers. With experience scaling technology teams for digital asset trading platforms in Amsterdam, supporting IT leadership and project management hires for global merger integrations in London, and building infrastructure and operations teams for mission-critical systems in Ireland, Daniel brings a proven ability to deliver tailored recruitment solutions.
A few weeks into his time at Elevate, we sat down with him to talk about his background, his view on the current market, and what drives him in technology recruitment.

Let’s start at the beginning – what’s your background, and what made you choose recruitment as a career?

I studied Economics at University College Cork (UCC), where I developed a strong interest in how businesses grow and operate. After graduating, I moved to London and wanted a career that combined commercial thinking with people skills. Recruitment felt like a natural fit — it allowed me to use my business development abilities while also playing a role in helping companies build high-performing teams. From day one, I knew it was the right choice for me.

Having recruited across London, Europe and Ireland, what differences have you noticed in those markets, and how does that influence how you work with clients and candidates now?

Having recruited tech talent for financial services and quant hedge funds across London, Europe, and Ireland, I’ve seen clear differences in pace, priorities, and hiring styles. London moves fast with a strong focus on elite talent and specialisation. Europe tends to be more process-driven, with an emphasis on cultural fit, while Ireland balances strong growth with a focus on work-life balance. These insights help me tailor my approach for each market, ensuring I align client expectations with candidate motivations effectively.

Looking at the market right now, what roles or skill sets do you see really starting to take off?

We’re seeing continued growth in AI/ML, data engineering, and quant tech roles, particularly within hedge funds and investment firms focused on low-latency systems and predictive analytics. Across industries, demand is strong for cloud (AWS/GCP), DevOps, cybersecurity, and product management talent. Sustainability-focused tech roles are also on the rise, alongside soft skills like adaptability and cross-functional leadership. The tech market is moving fast — we need to stay alongside it!

You’ve worked on both contract and permanent roles – how do you see those markets changing, and what should clients or candidates be thinking about?

In tech contracting, we’re seeing increased demand for niche skill sets on short-term projects, especially in areas like cloud migration, cybersecurity, and AI/ML. Clients are using contractors to stay agile and fill skill gaps quickly without long-term headcount commitments.
For candidates, there’s a real opportunity, but competition is rising. Staying up to date with in-demand tools and being flexible on hybrid models is key. For clients, speed is everything. The best contractors move fast, so having a streamlined interview and onboarding process makes all the difference.
On the permanent side, the focus is on long-term growth and retention. Companies want leaders who can shape technology strategy and engineers who can adapt to evolving tools and practices. That’s why it’s crucial to think about not just immediate fit, but also long-term cultural and strategic alignment.

Tech recruitment moves quickly – what do you enjoy about working in that space, and how do you keep on top of the changes?

Tech recruitment moves fast, and that’s what I enjoy most — it keeps things dynamic, competitive, and constantly evolving. I stay on top of changes by staying close to the market: speaking with candidates daily, tracking emerging tech trends, and working closely with clients to understand shifting priorities. It’s all about staying informed and staying ahead.

Everyone brings something different to a team – what do you see as your biggest strength, and how will it help you make an impact at Elevate?

One of my biggest strengths is building relationships and driving business growth. I started in recruitment through business development, bringing on clients from day one. Since then, I’ve led both contract and permanent tech teams, with experience across North America, EMEA, and APAC. That’s given me a global candidate network and a broad view of what clients need.
I’m excited to bring that experience to Elevate and help build something impactful — while never losing the personal touch.

Looking Ahead

Daniel’s experience across both permanent and contract recruitment gives him a unique perspective on how technology teams scale in today’s market. With demand surging across AI, data, cloud, cybersecurity, and leadership roles, his global outlook and hands-on delivery style ensure clients and candidates alike get the right outcomes.
If you’d like to connect with Daniel O’Connell or learn more about opportunities in technology recruitment, get in touch with Elevate Partners today.