Principal Search Consultant

Oaklands Global; Royal Tunbridge Wells; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist recruitment firm based in Tunbridge Wells is seeking a Principal Search Consultant. The successful candidate will manage candidate engagement and market mapping within the US Investment Banking sector. This demanding role requires a strong background in recruitment, effective relationship management, and a disciplined approach to work. Offering a competitive salary, uncapped commission, and hybrid working arrangements, this role is perfect for individuals driven by performance and looking to make a significant impact in executive search.

Benefits

Immediate Commercial Upside

Competitive Base Salary

Exposure to Top-Tier Investment Banking Mandates

High-Performance Environment

Direct Access to Senior Leadership

Qualifications

• Proven track record in candidate sourcing and client delivery across multiple roles.
• Full UK driving licence required.
• Additional language skills beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed market mapping across the US Investment Banking landscape.
• Manage candidates throughout the full search process.
• Proactively identify new opportunities to support the firm's growth.

Skills

Experience in 360 recruitment

Effective relationship management

Strong organisational skills

Communication skills

Tenacity

Tools

CRM systems

LinkedIn Recruiter

Job description

We are a specialist boutique executive search and recruitment business operating within the US Investment Banking (M&A) market. We are trusted by several leading advisory firms including Middle-Market and Elite Boutiques, delivering senior, high-impact hires in a fast-moving and highly competitive sector. Due to another exceptional year, we are now looking to appoint a Principal Search Consultant to join our high-performing team based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. This is not a reactive or administrative role. It is a demanding, hands‑on position suited to someone who is highly disciplined, commercially aware, and motivated by performance. You will play a critical role in the delivery of retained and exclusive mandates and the ongoing growth of the business.

Why Join Us?

• Immediate Commercial Upside: Earn commission from day one on every deal closed by the Director you support. In this role your contribution directly impacts your earnings. Deal sizes range from $30,000 - $300,000.
• Competitive Base Salary + Uncapped Commission: Up to 25% for fully delivered searches. No thresholds.
• Exposure to Top‑Tier Investment Banking Mandates: Work exclusively on high‑level roles within the US M&A market.
• High‑Performance, Low‑Ego Environment
• Direct Access to Senior Leadership: Partner closely with the Head of Investment Banking, gaining first‑hand exposure to senior‑level search execution and client strategy.
• Meaningful, High‑Impact Work: You will influence careers and advisory firms at the highest level, while building a long‑term career in executive search.
• Hybrid Working Model: WFH Wednesday and half‑day Friday

Key Responsibilities

• Market Mapping & Intelligence: Conduct detailed market mapping across the US Investment Banking landscape, identifying firms, teams, individuals, and emerging trends.
• Candidate Identification & Engagement: Take ownership of live mandates by identifying, approaching, and engaging high‑calibre investment banking professionals.
• Business Development Support: Proactively identify new opportunities, talent pools, and client prospects to support the firm's continued growth.
• Candidate Management: Manage candidates throughout the full search process, ensuring a professional, well‑structured, and consultative experience.
• Partner Support: Provide high‑level support to the partners across search delivery, research, coordination, and ad‑hoc strategic tasks.

Operational Responsibilities

• Consistently meet or exceed personal monthly sales and delivery targets
• Maintain accurate use of CRM for tracking vacancies, candidates, and client activity
• Ensure data quality across the system and generate accurate performance reports
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of account management and delivery best practices
• Actively participate in training initiatives to enhance sourcing and client service skills

Desired Experience & Attributes

• Experience in 360 recruitment, resourcing, or delivery‑based roles within a fast‑paced environment
• Proven track record in candidate sourcing and client delivery across multiple roles
• Effective relationship management skills, with experience dealing with senior stakeholders
• Strong understanding of the recruitment lifecycle and candidate experience best practices
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• Proficient with CRM systems, job boards, and sourcing tools (e.g., LinkedIn Recruiter)
• Full UK driving licence
• Additional language skills beneficial

Team & Culture

• Support the recruitment and onboarding of new consultants as needed
• Participate in employer brand and retention strategy development
• Promote a collaborative and knowledge‑sharing culture within the team
• Help define clear market segmentation and ensure coverage across consultants and accounts

Qualities

• Tenacity – a 'no excuses' mindset focused on accountability for results and determined pursuit of overachievement
• Problem‑solving – a creative, pro‑active approach to removing obstacles and building solutions
• Anticipation – a quickness to react to potential or emerging issues before they develop
• Positivity – a contagious enthusiasm and energy to deliver great work
• Discipline & Self‑Motivation – You are organised, detail‑oriented, and comfortable working autonomously.
• Collaboration – a desire to bring people and teams together, sharing ideas and expertise
• Excellence – an insistence on the highest quality and resistance to corner‑cutting or sub‑par standards
• Structure – a focus on development of scalable, repeatable processes and supporting documentation
• Curiosity – a desire to explore new ways of doing things, innovate and challenge the status quo

Who Should Apply?

This role is ideal for someone with strong experience in recruitment, executive search, talent acquisition, or Investment Banking, who wants to elevate their career in a highly professional, international, and specialist environment.

US East Coast working hours required as a minimum. US West Coast working hours desirable.

Be willing to work in our Tunbridge Wells, Kent office a minimum of three days per week. Moving to two days per week after successful passing of probation (six months).

Interested?

If you are interested in joining a boutique team of ambitious professionals that value excellence and execution and you are exceptionally organised, driven, detail‑focused, and motivated by performance, we would like to hear from you.

Apply today to start your journey with us