Your Talent Partner for Expert AI and Data Contractors
We know first-hand the high stakes of AI and Data projects—tight deadlines, limited budgets, and relentless competition. That’s why we’ve built a streamlined hiring process to connect you with the best talent, fast, so you can stay ahead and lead with confidence.
Mission & Values
Elite AI and Data talent is in higher demand than ever. Since the launch of GPT, the market has been flooded with candidates claiming to be “experts,” making it increasingly difficult for companies to secure true professionals who can deliver real results.
At Cole-James, we know that every hiring delay costs valuable time, momentum, and competitive advantage. That’s why we cut through the noise. Our rigorous vetting process and unmatched network ensure that only proven industry professionals are placed in your projects—helping you stay on schedule, ahead of the competition, and focused on innovation.
We believe access to world-class AI and Data talent shouldn’t be limited by budget constraints or unequal resources. Leaders driving AI and Data transformations deserve exceptional talent, strategic support, and the ability to compete at the highest level.
Excellence
Performance
Simplicity
Ben McDonagh
With years of experience leading global hiring initiatives, Ben has earned a reputation for connecting the world’s most innovative enterprises and hyper-growth startups with the top 1% of AI and Data talent. He understands the immense pressure leaders face—delivering cutting-edge innovation while navigating tight budgets, fierce competition, and unforgiving deadlines.
Ben has raised the standards of AI and Data hiring, helping companies outpace competitors, strengthen their market position, and maximize ROI. By building high-performing teams, he enables organizations to reduce consultancy and talent costs while achieving faster, more efficient, and cost-effective results.
His unrivalled network and rigorous vetting process ensures access to true industry specialists—contractors who provide immediate value, keep projects on track, and deliver measurable impact from day one.
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Align Your Talent Needs with Business Goals. Consult with Us Today.
"When we needed top talent Ben came through. We were introduced to two amazing people in high level tech. Ben was brought in by our CTO who had used Ben’s services at Bank of NY Mellon. Can’t wait to see who Ben brings for our next strategic hire. Ben, sincerely Thank you."
"In a very noisy staffing market, Ben has stood out for me for a few reasons. He worked towards establishing a long-term partnership, showed tremendous empathy, and 10/10 on the clarity and fast pace of his communication. His high bar of professionalism shows in every interaction. Not only is he placing top 1% of AI experts, Ben's also a top 1% recruiter."
"I had the pleasure of working with Ben, and I can confidently say he is one of the most thoughtful and empathetic professionals in the talent acquisition field. Not only is Ben highly intelligent and strategic, but his genuine kindness and ability to treat candidates with respect and empathy truly stand out. He goes above and beyond to ensure every interaction is positive and constructive, making the hiring process seamless and enjoyable for all involved. Ben is a rare combination of professionalism and humanity—a true asset to any organization or individual fortunate enough to work with him."
"I am pleased to recommend Ben McDonagh for his outstanding collaboration over the past three months. Thanks to Ben's efforts, we have successfully added top-tier talent to our team. Ben's commitment to understanding our needs, communication, and dedication have been instrumental in finding the perfect fit for the roles we’ve needed to fill. I highly recommend Ben for his professionalism, excellent communication, and unwavering focus on achieving results."
"From the very first conversation, Ben struck me with his professionalism, broad and extensive subject-field knowledge, and a superb ability at fostering relationships, with a great sense of how one's skills and expertise can uniquely fit within an engagement framework with an entity. The interaction with Ben and his team never felt like a client transaction but a partnership, with excellent communication and support throughout. I wholeheartedly recommend Ben as a partner who consistently demonstrates exceptional expertise and reliability and who would be invaluable to any enterprise for sourcing and placing top tier talent."
"I recently had the pleasure of working with Ben, who approached me with a fantastic opportunity. From our first interaction, he provided structured, clear, and insightful guidance throughout the entire interview process. Ben was consistently ethical and professional, offering valuable feedback and a strong understanding of the role, which made the experience seamless and positive. I highly recommend Ben for his serious, ethical approach and dedication to ensuring a perfect match between candidate and opportunity."
"I have enjoyed working closely with Ben for five years and have consistently been impressed with his work ethic, dedication, and professionalism. He has a keen eye for identifying top talent. He can quickly adapt his approach to different business needs in the organisation, which is helpful for managers owing different services in various regions across the continent. He has demonstrated this to me on many occasions, and I am very grateful to him for this."
"Ben is one of the most proactive and knowledgeable recruiters I have ever worked with. He goes the extra mile to make sure that the role matches your skillset and expectations. But he does not stop there and ensures that you are prepared for all parts of the process - interviews, project onboarding, paperwork, etc. So much that he has even called me during his holiday to check if I am satisfied with the project!"
"I had the pleasure of working with Ben during a recent job application process, and I can confidently say he is an exceptional recruiter. Ben went above and beyond by providing extremely detailed information about the role, offering invaluable advice on making a great first impression, and giving thorough feedback on my resume. His dedication and support were instrumental in helping me present myself in the best possible light."
