Executive Search Lead

AESG; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

AESG is expanding its UAE operations and seeks an Executive Search Lead to drive senior leadership recruitment across the UAE and designated regions. The role blends market research, direct candidate engagement, and client relationship management to secure top-tier appointments.

You will also support AESG's succession planning, identify critical roles, map credible successors, and coordinate activity across regional teams, ensuring consistency and high-quality hires.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in HR Management or equivalent.
• 6+ years in Talent Acquisition/Executive Search.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end executive search mandates with timeliness and quality.
• Partner with leaders on succession planning and talent mapping.
• Build leadership pipelines using market intelligence and internal data.

Skills

Executive search

Talent acquisition

Stakeholder management

Market intelligence

Education

Bachelor's in HR / related

Tools

ATS/CRM tools

Job description

Due to the continuing success and growth of our AESG team, a fantastic opportunity has opened up at our award-winning Specialist Consultancy, Engineering and Advisory Firm.

We are headquartered in London, Riyadh, Singapore and Dubai, Cape Town, Cairo & Sydney working throughout the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Our areas of expertise are represented in four core verticals: Building Engineering, Planning and Infrastructure, Strategy and Advisory and Commissioning, Handover and Asset Management.

We pride ourselves in being leaders in the industry in each of the services that we offer. We have one of the largest dedicated team with decades of cumulative experience in sustainable design, fire and life safety, cost management, façade engineering, commissioning, building performance, waste management, environmental consultancy, carbon management and acoustics.

Job Purpose

• The Executive Search Lead drives AESG's executive search across the UAE and other designated regions, identifying, engaging, and securing senior leadership talent that supports the organisation's strategic growth.
• The role coordinates search activity between the UAE and the rest of the regions, ensuring alignment of mandates, consistent delivery, and shared market intelligence across geographies.
• Acting as a hands-on headhunter and analytical specialist, the role combines market research, direct candidate engagement, and client relationship management to deliver exceptional senior-level appointments, without line management responsibilities.
• The role is closely involved with AESG's succession planning, working with leadership to identify, assess, and develop future leaders for critical roles - securing long-term leadership continuity across the UAE and other regions.
• The role also serves as the designated stand-in for the Head of Talent Acquisition during periods of leave, ensuring continuity of talent coordination across regions.

Qualification / Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resource Management and/or equivalent.
• More than 6 years of related working experience in Talent Acquisition and/or Executive Search, supporting organisations with a large staff population, is essential.

GENERAL EXPECTANCY

• Vast experience and exceptional competency in specialised fields.
• Provides expert guidance and recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Lead executive search mandates end-to-end, from brief to placement, delivering senior appointments on time and to a high quality standard.
• Partner with business leaders on AESG's succession planning, identifying critical roles, assessing internal talent, and mapping credible successors.
• Bring together executive search insights, market intelligence, and internal talent data to build and maintain robust leadership pipelines for current and future needs across regions.
• Act as a headhunter: proactively research, approach, and engage passive senior candidates, building and maintaining a strong network of leadership talent across the UAE and other regions.
• Meet with clients and stakeholders in person, representing AESG's search function and building trusted, long-term relationships.
• Coordinate between the UAE and the rest of the regions, aligning search requirements, timelines, and communication across all parties involved.
• Undertake detailed market mapping, talent benchmarking, and candidate research, providing data-driven insights and recommendations to inform search decisions.
• Manage internal and external stakeholders, including business leaders, hiring managers, regional teams, and external partners, ensuring alignment and a seamless search experience.
• Act as a trusted advisor to business leaders and hiring managers, advising on search strategy, market intelligence, and best practice.
• Manage relationships with recruitment agencies and third-party partners, ensuring alignment with company standards and cost-effectiveness.
• Maintain and enhance recruiting software (ATS and CRM tools) to manage pipelines, report on metrics, and identify process improvements.
• Support offer, negotiation, and onboarding activities to ensure a seamless experience for senior hires.
• Act as stand-in for the Head of Talent Acquisition during periods of leave, coordinating talent activity and maintaining key stakeholder relationships.
• Ensure compliance with all recruitment-related legislation and company policies across regions.
• Participate in special projects and initiatives related to process optimization and data-driven search.

COMPETENCIES

• Communication / Collaboration - Engaging internal and external stakeholders with excellent diplomacy, self-awareness, and negotiation skills. Demonstrating considered levels of assertiveness, openness, and transparency.
• Technical Knowledge / Expertise - Becoming a subject matter expert in executive search and market intelligence, recognised as a go-to resource for guidance. Expanding knowledge through specialised training, certifications, and practical experience.
• Analytical Exellence - Strong analytical capability, applying market mapping, research, and data-driven decision making to deliver quality search outcomes.
• Stakeholder Focus / Relationship Building - Independent management of search mandates and issues, working with minimal guidance, and building lasting relationships with clients and candidates.
• Strategic Vision / Planning - Setting and executing search strategies with complete awareness of operating within budgets, and achieving organisational goals.
• Creativity / Innovation - Identifying opportunities to improve search approaches, assisting in implementing new strategies, and embracing software and automation to enhance efficiency.
• Commercial Acumen / Business Development - Process oriented, providing significant contribution to the operations success of the division, and taking ownership for the development of procedures that improve division function and efficiency.
• Problem Solving / Decision Making - Responsible for making decisions affecting search mandates and operational projects, developing skills in risk assessment, data-driven decision making, and task prioritisation.

Demonstrated Knowledge Base And Professional Skillset

• Time Management / Planning - Thoughtfully planning schedules in line with departmental objectives and balancing urgent activities. Efficiently utilises time.
• Industry Experience / Thought Leadership - Demonstrating expertise in discipline with a proven track record of success. Actively building networks and attending conferences.
• Operational Delivery - Independently resolving complex issues and performing in a lead role for less complex projects.
• Ownership / Independent Delivery - Leading by example in delivery, assisting Seniors and Leadership in complex situations, and upholding AESG Core Values.
• Employee Focus / Process Compliance - Ensuring individuals have the required resources, support, and development opportunities for excellence in their roles.
• Commercial Acumen / Business Development - Process Oriented. Providing significant contribution to operations success of the division. Takes ownership for the development of procedures to improve division function and efficiency.