Principal Recruitment Consultant - Tech, Retained Search

JR United Kingdom; Slough; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A high-growth executive search firm seeks a Senior to Associate Director - Tech Search Consultant to enhance its Financial Services practice. This pivotal role involves leading senior tech search mandates, collaborating with junior talent, and engaging deeply with clients. The ideal candidate should have substantial recruitment experience and a passion for building long-term relationships within a retained search model.

Qualifications

• 6–8 years' experience in recruitment, ideally with senior hires in technology.
• Experience in Financial Services: Asset & Wealth Management, Retail Banks, or Insurance.
• Capacity to thrive in long-term relationships and high-deal environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead retained search mandates for senior tech hires in FS.
• Collaborate with junior consultants and senior leadership.
• Develop consultative relationships with clients and candidates.

Skills

Collaborative

Coachable

Credibility in client conversations

Interest in retained search

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

Principal Recruitment Consultant - Tech, Retained Search, Slough

Client:

AT Talent - Rec2Rec

Location:

Slough, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Views:

5

Posted:

26.06.2025

Expiry Date:

10.08.2025

Job Description:

Senior -> Associate Director - Tech Search Consultant – Financial Services, Insurance, Legal

A high-growth executive search firm is seeking a Senior -> AD Tech Search Consultant to join its specialist Tech into Financial Services practice. This role is ideal for someone currently operating in a high-fee contingent environment who is looking to elevate into retained search.

This is not a 360 role—consultants are supported by junior delivery talent and guided by experienced Partners. The right person will bring functional expertise in tech, a background in permanent recruitment, and the mindset to operate as a true strategic partner.

Candidate Profile

This opportunity would suit an experienced recruiter with 6–8 years’ experience, ideally working with senior individual contributors or leadership hires within technology. They will:

• Have experience recruiting into Financial Services, particularly within Asset & Wealth Management, Retail Banks, Challenger Banks, or Insurance
• Be focused on permanent technology roles (e.g., CTOs, Heads of Engineering, senior ICs)
• Show genuine interest in operating within a retained search model
• Be collaborative and coachable, with a strong appetite to learn and grow
• Bring credibility to client conversations and demonstrate comfort in helping originate and win retained work
• Thrive in an environment where success is based on long-term relationships, quality of delivery, and high average deal value

About the Business

The company is a specialist search firm exclusively focused on Tech and Product within Financial Services, with a strong reputation and an ambitious growth trajectory. The Search function currently consists of 5 team members, all with fewer than 3 years' experience, billing between £270k–£400k.

Their clients include leading names in FS as well as VC- and PE-backed innovators, particularly in insurance, banking, and wealth. The average retained fee is £45k–£50k, split over thirds.

The firm has clear strategic goals:

• £100m valuation target within 5 years
• Active plans to scale rapidly in the UK and the US (New York, Florida, Austin)
• Partnering with a VC within the next 12 months
• A long-term opportunity for someone to progress into a UK MD-level role

Responsibilities

• Lead retained search mandates for senior tech hires across the FS sector
• Partner with junior consultants to support research and delivery
• Collaborate with senior leadership to drive BD activity and open new accounts
• Develop deep, consultative relationships with clients and candidates
• Learn from Partners while mentoring less experienced team members

Compensation & Progression

• OTE Year 1: £100k–£120k+, with uncapped earnings potential
• Clear pathway to Director level, with exposure to leadership and potential for future team ownership
• Incentives structured around profit share, not just billings