Executive Search Senior Associate

About the Company

Heidrick & Struggles is a leading global firm specializing in executive search, leadership assessment and development, organizational and team effectiveness, and culture transformation. With over six decades of experience, the firm has conducted prominent C-suite and board-level searches worldwide, supporting clients in 29 countries across multiple industries to enhance their performance and adapt to challenges. The firm is committed to fostering career growth for its own employees and values diverse experiences and educational backgrounds among its team members who share its mission to drive impactful leadership change.

Role Overview

The Executive Search Senior Associate plays a vital role in managing all stages of the executive recruitment process, from identifying potential candidates through to successful placement. Collaborating closely with Search Partners and Principals, Senior Associates build upon their professional expertise through hands-on work combined with mentorship and development in an apprenticeship format. They lead recruitment activities, from strategy development through execution, and gain exposure to client business development efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Formulate position specifications and design search strategies collaboratively with Consultants.
• Perform in-depth industry and client research to map and understand the executive talent market and provide actionable insights.
• Support preparation of business development presentations for current and prospective clients.
• Engage candidates to generate interest, gather referrals, and collect market data.
• Conduct comprehensive candidate interviews to evaluate qualifications and suitability for roles.
• Prepare detailed candidate assessments and present suitable profiles to clients.
• Manage ongoing candidate relationships throughout the recruitment process and update Consultants regularly.
• Assist in managing client relationships alongside Consultants.
• Collaborate effectively across internal teams to foster a culture of teamwork and contribute positively to firm initiatives.
• Demonstrate professionalism, empathy, and open-mindedness, representing core company values.
• Ensure data accuracy and integrity in research and reporting tools, maintaining thorough and timely status and client-ready reports.
• Handle multiple search projects with high-quality outputs and adhere to ethical standards, confidentiality, and professionalism.

Basic Qualifications

• At least five years of recruiting experience preferably within search contexts, ideally from boutique or smaller firms.
• Knowledge or proficiency in industrial markets and/or private capital markets is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) is mandatory.
• Strong professional communication skills including writing, articulation, and information delivery with confidence.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with clients and candidates effectively, influencing and building solid partnerships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in full-cycle recruiting in Executive Search, Contingent Search, or Talent Acquisition roles, involving sales and research capabilities.
• Successful track record managing multiple projects simultaneously and working collaboratively across teams.
• Expertise in identifying suitable candidates and preparing compelling pitch materials.
• Aptitude for researching market trends and synthesizing large information volumes into meaningful insights.
• Skills in cultivating and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM systems.