Zach Mathews
Talent Advisor
- Based in
- Tampa, Florida
- At FloodGate since
- 2025
- Years in MedTech
- 1
MedTech is an industry that keeps you honest, because there is always something new to learn. What I love most is getting to know what makes people tick: building relationships with candidates and hiring managers, understanding what each is trying to build and where they want to go, and bringing the two together when those goals line up.
A client would say I keep an elite level of communication and responsiveness through the good and the bad, that I am easy to work with, and that I genuinely listen. I ask a lot of questions up front so I understand what they are looking for, and I am comfortable changing course when the market says we should.
“Zach originally reached out to me about an open position. After our initial call I decided I wanted to move forward. Although Zach was contracted by the company, he still spent time guiding and coaching me throughout the interview process. I am so grateful for his time, communication, professionalism and kindness. I was selected for the team, and I have no doubt that was in part due to Zach and his incredible work ethic and ability.”
The path here
Coverage. Knows the Pacific Northwest, San Francisco, Arizona and the Northeast best.
Talent AdvisorNow
Sep 2025 to presentFloodGate Medical
Recruits commercial and clinical talent for MedTech companies across the US, supporting field sales, clinical, sales leadership, national accounts and other specialized searches for emerging, growth-stage and established device companies.
CEO and Head Coach
Aug 2022 to Sep 2025Fast & Focus
Founded and ran a leadership-development business helping owners invest in their leaders through group and one-to-one coaching, speaking, and practical work on habits, goals, leadership and purpose at work.
Freelance Writer
Nov 2020 to Mar 2025Zach Mathews Writing
Built an independent writing business creating content for clients across a range of industries.
Writer
Feb 2019 to Mar 2022The HOTH
Wrote digital content for clients professionally.
Account Executive
Apr 2017 to Sep 2019Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ticket sales, building customer relationships and selling ticketing and hospitality to individuals and businesses.
A clinical hire the direct competitors could not supply
An emerging AI surgical imaging company needed a highly specialized clinical hire. The profile went well beyond typical device experience: radiologic credentials and certification, hands-on C-arm and fluoroscopy experience, credibility supporting spine and orthopedic procedures in the OR, and the ability to thrive in an early-stage environment. That combination made the talent pool extremely narrow, so I exhausted every kind of touchpoint: sourcing, referrals, cold calls, emails, texts, LinkedIn. I mapped candidates from imaging, navigation, robotics and device companies rather than relying on matching job titles. It is a strong example of something I see often in MedTech recruiting: the best candidate is not always sitting at a direct competitor. The underlying experience, and the ability to succeed in the environment they are walking into, matter just as much.
Zach’s corner of MedTech.
- How MedTech leaders position themselves for the next level of leadership
- Building a relationship network before you need your next executive role
- How hiring managers should evaluate transferable medical device sales experience
- Identifying the right commercial profile for an emerging or growth-stage MedTech company
- Helping high-performing individual contributors become effective leaders
Trained, and certified for it.
Each one is a named program with a named awarding body, so it can be checked rather than taken on trust.
- Degree
Bachelor of Business Administration, Sports Management
Trine University
What most people get wrong
The belief
The ideal candidate already holds this exact title, at this kind of company, in this therapeutic area, and will take it for less than they earn now.
The reality
The best markers are whether someone has repeatedly sold into the same call points, navigated a complex sale and its failures, built a territory, launched new technology, or can point to real examples of building champions for a product. Then listen for ownership: candidates who talk in I, me and my rather than passing the blame to they, them and theirs.
The questions that come up every week
Put any of these to Zach directly and you'll get a straight answer.
Does this person need experience selling the exact same type of device?
What companies should we be targeting candidates from?
How do I position my experience if I want to move into a different therapeutic area?
What should I be looking for in my next role if I eventually want to become a VP or GM?
How do I get in front of companies when the role I want is not posted?
Clients who come back
- A radiation oncology company has come back to me twice with several roles to fill.
- An interventional oncology company has come back to me three times.
- I have placed multiple roles for companies in interventional cardiology, interventional oncology, radiation oncology, wound care and respiratory.
Away from work
Based in Tampa Bay with his wife and two boys, so most time outside work revolves around family. Also running and fitness, football and fantasy football, and usually some kind of project around the house.
Last reviewed by Zach Mathews on .
Most companies spend far more time planning their financial, commercial and product strategies than their talent strategy.