Research Associate

Altima; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading search consultancy in Greater London is seeking a Research Associate to manage research and outreach activities that support successful mandates. The role involves translating client requirements into effective search strategies, executing market research, and ensuring exceptional candidate experiences. Ideal candidates will possess strong research capabilities, excellent communication skills, and a proactive attitude towards project management. This position offers competitive benefits, including 28 days of annual leave, private health insurance, and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

28 days annual leave + bank holidays

Private health insurance

L&D budget

Gym membership

Qualifications

• Advanced research skills using qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Skilled in screening candidates against rigorous criteria.
• Strong organisational skills for multiple searches.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to developing search strategies from client briefings.
• Execute market mapping and insights delivery.
• Own candidate outreach and ensure exceptional experience.

Skills

Advanced research and sourcing capability

Screening and interviewing skills

Organisational skills

Report and documentation production

Client-facing conversation support

Job description

As a Research associate, you will own the research and outreach activity that fuels successful mandates. You will combine data, market knowledge, and communication skills to deliver insights, strengthen candidate pipelines, and support Partners and clients in making confident hiring decisions. You will help drive growth through informed, high-quality pitch support and market insight.

Accountabilities : Delivery :

• Contribute to the development of the search strategy from client briefings, translating role requirements into effective research plans to identify and engage high-quality candidates.
• Execute the research and market mapping from the search strategy with precision, delivering accurate insights that inform and refine the agreed search strategy.
• Own candidate outreach, ensuring all communications align with Altima’s brand, search playbook and values and provide an exceptional candidate experience.
• Where appropriate, conduct initial screening of candidates against the search criteria.
• Planning, writing and delivering key search documentation on time including job descriptions, candidate briefs, client reports, client updates and candidate scorecards.
• Own mandate health across all searches.
• Maintain a strong pipeline of proactive candidates; highlight risks early and propose solutions.
• Ensure the CRM / database is accurate, up-to‑date, and leveraged effectively across teams.
• Share market knowledge and emerging trends to enhance team and client decision‑making.
• Translate research into clear reports, profiles, and sector insights for deal teams, clients, and partners.

Growth :

• Deliver accurate mapping of VC / PE funds to identify key target contacts for BD outreach with growing autonomy.
• Support with outreach and tracking of BD lead gen campaigns.
• Support Growth and Delivery leads with pitch materials, including CFO profile summaries, archetype notes, search strategy outlines and relevant market insights.
• Flag potential BD opportunities observed during research or candidate interactions.

Requirements

Technical Skills :

• Advanced research and sourcing capability using qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Skilled in screening and interviewing candidates against rigorous criteria.
• Strong organisational and project support skills across multiple searches.
• Proficient in producing structured, insightful reports and documentation.
• Comfortable supporting client‑facing conversations with research insights.

Human Skills :

• Clear, confident communicator with candidates and colleagues
• Proactive, reliable and highly organised, delivering work accurately and on time
• Hard‑working and resilient, maintaining momentum in a fast‑paced environment
• Intellectually curious, eager to build market knowledge and learn from client and colleague interactions
• Strong attention to detail while keeping sight of the bigger picture
• Collaborative and relationship‑focused, building trust within teams
• Growth‑minded, seeking feedback and opportunities to stretch into greater responsibility

Benefits

• Work with market‑leading CFO search specialists in the start‑up tech ecosystem
• Develop research and candidate management skills
• Join a collaborative team that values knowledge and humility
• Clear development pathways
• Competitive benefits including 28 days’ annual leave + bank holidays, private health insurance, L&D budget, gym membership, and more