About us

SPG was founded in 1994 and is proud to have built an excellent reputation as one of the top executive consulting firms in the US. We help strategically grow SaaS companies using a proven process and AI recruiting technology!

Who We Are?

Our team has over 100 years of software and SaaS experience generated over $3 billion in revenue for our clients, significantly boosting their growth, and has also achieved over $500 million in total compensation for our candidates.

We offer both retained and contingent search services across the US.

Our experience spans over 750 clients, 200 business partners, and over 1,500 successful placements.

We represent a range of leading public and pre-IPO Series C software firms globally!

Sectors include AI/ML, Data Science, CRM, MarTech, Big Data, Cloud, Analytics, Enterprise Applications, DevOps, Systems, and Cybersecurity.

SPG’s expertise extends to recruiting top-tier talent for Executive, Sales, Data Scientist, Customer Success, Business Development, Marketing, IT Technical, and Professional Services roles throughout the US.

The SPG team brings together over 50 years of direct experience in software management, sales, and technical roles, ensuring a deep understanding of our clients’ businesses and the intricate technical requirements of the industry.

Meet the Executive Team

Jeffrey Calannio, CPC CEO

Jeffrey’s past success was founding Strategic Placement Group in 1994. Software Placement Group, SPG, was founded at a later time with the same successful core business principles. He has gained vast experience in strategic US recruiting over 20 years with prior background in selling software. Jeffrey is a career coach and is involved with several major charities.

John Picket Business Development Manager

John Picket has thirty years of software industry expertise. He recently has been doing business development and channel partner recruiting for Microsoft.

Michael Rellaford VP, Technical Recruiter

Mike as spent the last 20 years honing his skills in website development, graphic design, web infrastructure, print materials, marketing programs, social media campaigns, and email campaigns among others. You name it, and Mike has probably done it. We worked in a variety of industries from dental to clothing to engineering and finance. Mike also served as the Web Services Manager for one of the largest global Asset Management companies, Allianz/PIMCO.

Emily Davis Senior Sales Recruiter

Emily has been recruiting for software sales and marketing positions since 2013, successfully placing senior sales professionals from Individual Contributor to Sales Management. Prior to recruiting, Emily has nearly a decade working in advertising, including global brands such as CareerBuilder, which gives her a strong appreciation of different client needs.

Kara Courtney Calannio Social Media Director

Kara offers extensive marketing, partner management, and business development background in a wide range of industries. Kara has held several major executive and VP positions, including VP of Advertising and Marketing. In addition, she was President of her own marketing and research firm.

Why they love us

Built from reliability, consistency and diligent research, our reputation grows with each ideally staffed client and candidate.

I hired Jeffery a number of years ago to do a search. At the time, we were working with several contingency search firms. Since then, we have narrowed down our list of firms to virtually just one, Software Placement Group. Because of Jeff’s hard work, integrity, and service we have relied upon him to fill virtually all of our technical and sales positions.
Integrity and Hard Work Mel Passarelli, Esq., Turnaround Leader and Private Investor
I have worked with SPG since 1996 and have found them to be extremely professional and able to listen to my hiring needs and match with suitable candidates. To me time is money, and I can’t afford to interview candidates with a poor match to my open positions. I look forward to continuing to work with them for my hiring needs.
Extremely Professional JANET HEPPNER-JONES – Sr. Vice President, Worldwide Field Operations
I have worked with Jeffery over the last seven years. Jeffery took the time to really understand the type of position I was looking for. He brought to my attention jobs that fit the criteria I gave him or that matched my skill set. Jeffery has always been very responsive to my needs and honest with me. Jeffery is responsible for placing me at my current job and I highly recommend Jeffrey and SPG.
Jeffery has always been very responsive STEFAN CONSTANTINIDES
Jeffrey presented me with an opportunity for a new position that was exactly the type of position I was looking for with a really interesting company. He worked with me through-out the (lengthy) interview process with timely follow-up and important feedback. He kept the process moving forward to fruition. I am loving my new role now, thanks to the work he did. In addition, many of my new colleagues also were recruited by Jeffrey, and they too are all loving their position and are doing well.
JENNIFER FAULKNER, Sales JENNIFER FAULKNER, Sales
I have had the recent pleasure to receive the benefit of Jeffrey’s skill and experience. He not only has the best interest of clients in mind, but also places the needs and skill of applicants in a position for mutual success. This dual roll sets him apart from other professionals in his industry. I could not recommend Jeffrey high enough to either company’s looking for that right person, or individuals looking for the best company.
THOMAS M. McCLAUGHLIN, Sales THOMAS M. McCLAUGHLIN, Sales
I hired Jeffery a number of years ago to do a search. At the time, we were working with several contingency search firms. Since then, we have narrowed down our list of firms to virtually just one, Software Placement Group. Because of Jeff’s hard work, integrity, and service we have relied upon him to fill virtually all of our technical and sales positions.
Mel Passarelli, Esq., Turnaround Leader and Private Investor Mel Passarelli, Esq., Turnaround Leader and Private Investor
We had a Director of Engineering position open for several months. SPG came in late in the game, but was able to find us an outstanding candidate for the position, and we hired him within just a few weeks.
Mike Paschal, VP Engineering, Navis LLC Mike Paschal, VP Engineering, Navis LLC.
I’ve hired several people from Software Placement Group and have always had fast, professional service and a great understanding of my requirements.
Bob Koch, Director – Sales | Enterprise Administration | ON Technology / Symantec Bob Koch, Director - Sales | Enterprise Administration | ON Technology / Symantec
Jeff has done a fine job recruiting top notch sales talent for me wherever I have worked.
Bill Pollak v
Jeff is a great resource that you can use with confidence. He is extremely knowledgeable concerning the industries that he covers and I would recommend calling him on every search that you have come up.
Bob McCloskey – Sales Bob McCloskey - Sales

Strategic Business Partners (National Accounts)

SPG has over 100 strategic IT recruiting affiliates in the US and is a major partner with the First Interview Network, http://www.firstinterview.com.

First Interview was was created in 1979 and has grown to become the largest single-source placement solution in sales and marketing for national and multinational companies. Today, our network consists of over 1,000 member recruiters linked together via Internet and secure intranet technologies.

The Top Echelon Network offers 8 Million resumes and is dedicated to assisting recruiters in quickly providing their clients with top-tier talent.