Executive Search Associate

Company Overview

Heidrick & Struggles is a leading global provider specializing in executive search, leadership assessment and development, organizational effectiveness, and culture shaping solutions. With over six decades of expertise, the firm has completed numerous high-profile C-suite and board-level assignments worldwide. Operating across 29 countries, the company supports clients in enhancing performance and adapting swiftly to industry changes by delivering trusted leadership advice and leveraging advanced data-driven, technology-enabled tools and platforms.

The firm is passionate about talent management and is committed to nurturing the professional growth of its own employees. It welcomes professionals from diverse backgrounds and industries who are driven by collaboration with influential organizations and share the purpose of transforming leadership teams globally.

Role Overview

The Executive Search Associate is pivotal in managing the recruitment lifecycle—from identifying candidates to their placement. They collaborate closely with Search Partners and Principals to develop and implement search strategies, manage candidate pipelines, and contribute to business development initiatives. The role also involves extensive research on industry trends, candidate assessment, and maintaining strong relationships with both clients and candidates.

Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with Consultants in defining position specifications and devising targeted search strategies.
• Conduct thorough industry and company research to map executive talent landscapes and provide insightful market intelligence.
• Support Consultants in preparing compelling business development presentations for current and prospective clients.
• Engage potential candidates to gauge interest, obtain referrals, and gather feedback.
• Conduct detailed interviews to evaluate candidate fit against role requirements.
• Draft comprehensive candidate evaluations and present findings to clients.
• Maintain active communication and strong relationships with candidates throughout the recruitment process, updating Consultants regularly.
• Assist in managing client relationships alongside Consultants.
• Collaborate effectively across teams, embodying firm values of teamwork, humility, empathy, and open-mindedness.
• Uphold the highest standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and ethical conduct in all interactions and data management.
• Ensure accuracy and quality of research data and maintain timely, client-ready reporting on search status and progress.
• Manage multiple search projects simultaneously, delivering high-quality results within deadlines.
• Persevere through challenges with integrity and commitment to doing the right thing.

Required Qualifications

• At least three years of relevant recruiting experience, preferably from an executive search or boutique search firm environment.
• Strong professional communication skills with the ability to write and present effectively and confidently.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with clients and candidates to influence and build productive relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in end-to-end recruiting within Executive Search or Contingent search settings.
• Track record of managing several projects concurrently and collaborating across teams.
• Skills in targeting candidates and developing persuasive pitch materials.
• Proficiency in researching market trends and synthesizing complex information into actionable insights.
• Experience in cultivating relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Familiarity with Salesforce or similar Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms.