Executive Search Researcher

Permanent People Rec2Rec; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Permanent People Rec2Rec in London is seeking a Researcher to join its team. The role focuses on executive search research, market intelligence, and candidate engagement across international leadership assignments.

You will work closely with experienced consultants, gaining exposure to high-profile C-suite search projects while developing beyond traditional research into the full recruitment process.

Qualifications

• Around two years' experience in executive search, research or recruitment.
• Experience in boutique environments is preferred.
• Willingness to develop beyond traditional research and participate in the full search process.

Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed market research, competitor analysis and talent mapping.
• Identify and approach senior executives and leadership professionals.
• Build relationships with candidates and conduct initial screening and assessment conversations.
• Produce longlists, shortlists, candidate profiles and market intelligence reports.
• Research businesses, organisational structures and senior leadership teams.
• Support consultants and partners with executive and non-executive search assignments.
• Contribute to search strategies, client presentations and business development initiatives.
• Gradually take greater ownership of assignments, candidate interviews and client interactions.

Skills

Curious & analytical

Excellent communication

Relationship building

Organised & detail-oriented

People-focused

Job description

• Location: Central London (Hybrid – 3 days office / 2 days home)
• Salary: Up to £40,000
• Experience: Ideally 2 years in executive search or recruitment

The Opportunity

We're partnering with an established, international boutique executive search firm looking to appoint a Researcher to join its London team.

With offices in London, Amsterdam and New York, the business specialises in senior leadership, C-suite and board-level appointments, working with a diverse range of organisations across multiple industries.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone relatively early in their executive search career who wants to develop beyond traditional research and gain exposure to the full executive search process.

You'll be joining a collaborative, relationship-driven business where research is genuinely valued and where you'll work closely with experienced consultants and partners on high-profile assignments.

What You'll Be Doing

• Conducting detailed market research, competitor analysis and talent mapping.
• Identifying and approaching senior executives and leadership professionals.
• Building relationships with candidates and conducting initial screening and assessment conversations.
• Producing longlists, shortlists, candidate profiles and market intelligence reports.
• Researching businesses, organisational structures and senior leadership teams.
• Supporting consultants and partners with executive and non-executive search assignments.
• Contributing to search strategies, client presentations and business development initiatives.
• Gradually taking greater ownership of assignments, candidate interviews and client interactions.

Who We're Looking For

Ideally, you'll have around two years' experience in executive search, research or recruitment, preferably within a boutique environment.

However, we're equally interested in your personality, attitude and potential.

You’ll be:

• Naturally curious, intelligent and interested in understanding people and businesses.
• Confident, personable and comfortable engaging with senior professionals.
• An excellent communicator who can build relationships and ask insightful questions.
• Organised, analytical and attentive to detail.
• Someone who enjoys research but equally enjoys speaking with people.
• Keen to learn, develop and take on more responsibility.

Experience within a structured, research-led executive search environment would be ideal, although candidates from contingent recruitment backgrounds will also be considered if they can demonstrate the ability and motivation to transition into executive search.

Previous customer-facing experience in hospitality, retail or other people-focused environments would also be viewed positively.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Salary up to £40,000 depending on experience.
• Hybrid working with three days in the office and two from home.
• Exposure to international C-suite and board-level search assignments.
• Opportunity to work closely with experienced executive search professionals.
• Genuine development opportunities, with increasing involvement in candidate assessment, client engagement and assignment management.
• The chance to build a long-term career within a respected international search business.

Interested?

If you're currently working in executive search or recruitment and would like to develop your career in a more research-led, relationship-focused environment, we'd be keen to hear from you.