Research Associate

FY Recruitment; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Career progression

Collaborative culture and benefits

Job summary

FY Recruitment in Central London is seeking a Researcher / Associate to join a growing executive search and leadership advisory firm. You will build market intelligence, map markets and engage senior candidates for high-profile assignments, working closely with Partners to shape search strategy and support from brief to completion.

There is genuine scope to grow into more responsibility across the search lifecycle as you develop.

Qualifications

• Strong research capability and intellectual curiosity.
• Ability to map markets and identify leadership talent.
• Excellent engagement with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Translate client requirements into effective research strategies.
• Conduct market mapping and talent identification.
• Research and assess senior executives and leadership talent.
• Engage candidates through thoughtful outreach and qualification calls.
• Produce market maps, candidate profiles and client materials.
• Gather market intelligence and contribute to knowledge building.
• Manage search workstreams and maintain project momentum.
• Utilise technology, data and AI tools to enhance research.
• Suggest improvements to research processes and methodologies.

Job description

Search Associate / Research Associate

Executive Search & Leadership Advisory | Central London

£55,000-£60,000 + Bonus + Great Benefits
Full-Time | Initially 4-5 Office-Based | Hybrid Working (3-4 Days per Week in the Office Following Onboarding)

An Opportunity to Build Something Different

We're partnering with a growing executive search and leadership advisory firm that helps organisations solve complex leadership, growth and transformation challenges. Combining traditional search expertise with technology, market intelligence and AI-enabled research, the business is building a smarter, more modern approach to executive search.

As part of its continued growth, the firm is looking for a Researcher / Associate to play a key role in delivering high-profile search assignments and building market intelligence across specialist sectors.

The Role

This is not a traditional research role focused on producing lists of names. Research sits at the heart of the business and you'll be encouraged to think critically, challenge assumptions and develop a genuine understanding of markets, businesses and leadership talent.

Working closely with Partners, you'll help shape research strategies, map markets, identify and engage senior candidates, and support the delivery of executive search assignments from brief through to completion.

There is genuine scope to develop and take on increasing responsibility across the search lifecycle as your experience grows.

Key Responsibilities

• Translate client requirements into effective research strategies.
• Conduct detailed market mapping and talent identification.
• Research and assess senior executives and leadership talent.
• Engage candidates through thoughtful and personalised outreach.
• Conduct initial candidate qualification and assessment conversations.
• Produce high-quality market maps, candidate profiles and client materials.
• Gather market intelligence and contribute to wider knowledge building.
• Manage search workstreams and maintain project momentum.
• Utilise technology, data and AI tools to enhance research effectiveness.
• Contribute ideas that improve research processes and methodologies.

About You

You could be an Executive Search Researcher, Associate, Talent Intelligence professional or recruiter from a research-led environment. Sector experience is flexible; what's most important is strong research capability, intellectual curiosity and a desire to develop within executive search.

You'll likely be:

• Thoughtful and analytical.
• Curious about businesses, markets and people.
• Tenacious in uncovering difficult-to-find talent.
• Accountable and comfortable owning workstreams.
• Commercially minded with a strong understanding of how organisations create value.
• Engaging and credible with senior stakeholders.
• Organised and detail-oriented while managing multiple priorities.
• Collaborative and team-focused.
• Entrepreneurial, thriving in a growing business environment.

What's On Offer?

• Join an ambitious and growing executive search firm.
• Work closely with experienced search professionals on senior-level assignments.
• Gain exposure to leading organisations, investors and executives.
• Play a meaningful role in a growing business where your contribution is valued.
• Enjoy a collaborative, social and down-to-earth culture.
• Significant opportunity for progression and long-term career development.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious and intellectually curious researcher who wants to build a long-term career in executive search and leadership advisory while making a genuine impact in a growing business.