Associate / Senior Associate

ASCENDI GLOBAL PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascendi Global is seeking an Executive Search Associate & Researcher to join our Singapore-based team and support senior-level search assignments across Asia Pacific. You will work closely with the Managing Director and Consultants to map markets, identify leadership talent and move searches from strategy to candidate engagement.

We are looking for someone who is naturally curious, organised and resourceful, with strong English and Chinese language skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification.
• 3+ years of professional experience.
• Experience in executive search, recruitment, consulting, market intelligence or related analytical environment.
• Strong research and information-gathering skills.
• Ability to analyse large amounts of information and determine what is relevant.
• Strong written and spoken English and Chinese; Japanese or Korean a plus.

Responsibilities

• Research companies, industries, leadership teams and talent markets across Asia Pacific.
• Build target-company lists and talent maps.
• Identify potential candidates through structured research and networks.
• Evaluate career histories and industry relevance to determine fit.
• Prepare client materials such as market maps, candidate profiles and analyses.
• Track candidate progress and document search steps.

Skills

Research skills

English (written & spoken)

Chinese (written & spoken)

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification

Job description

Executive Search Associate & Researcher - Asia Pacific

Join Ascendi Global

Ascendi Global is looking for an Executive Search Associate & Researcher to join our Singapore-based team and support senior-level search assignments across Asia Pacific.

This role sits at the intersection of research, business strategy, talent intelligence and project execution.

You will work closely with our Managing Director and Consultants to understand a client's business, identify the leadership talent relevant to its needs, map markets and organisations, and help move each search from initial strategy through candidate engagement and completion.

Because we are a boutique firm, the role offers broad exposure. You will not be limited to producing names or conducting desk research. You will gradually develop an understanding of how executive search assignments are won, designed, researched, managed and delivered.

We are looking for someone who is naturally curious, organised and resourceful - someone who enjoys investigating companies and industries, connecting information, and asking: Who are the right people, where are they, and why would they be relevant to our client?

What You Will Do

Executive Search & Talent Mapping

• Research companies, industries, business models, leadership teams and talent markets across Asia Pacific.
• Build target-company lists and talent maps based on the requirements of each executive search assignment.
• Identify potential candidates through structured research, professional networks, databases and publicly available information.
• Evaluate career histories, organisational exposure, functional expertise and industry relevance to determine potential candidate fit.
• Research reporting structures, competitor organisations and leadership movements to develop a deeper understanding of the relevant talent landscape.
• Continuously expand searches beyond obvious candidates and organisations to uncover alternative talent pools.

Search Assignment Support

• Work on several executive search assignments concurrently and help keep each project moving according to agreed timelines.
• Participate in search strategy discussions and contribute recommendations on target markets, organisations and potential candidates.
• Maintain accurate candidate, company and project information throughout each assignment.
• Support candidate outreach, initial conversations, scheduling and follow-up where appropriate.
• Track candidate progress throughout the search process and ensure important actions and information are properly documented.
• Assist with references, background research and other candidate-related due diligence as required.

Research Analysis & Client Materials

You will help prepare clear and professional materials such as:

• market and talent maps;
• candidate profiles and career summaries;
• target-company analyses;
• position and candidate specifications;
• longlists and shortlists;
• search progress updates;
• industry and competitor research; and
• leadership and talent intelligence reports.

You will be expected to check information carefully, identify inconsistencies and ensure that materials presented to clients are accurate and professionally prepared.

Market Intelligence

• Follow developments within industries and companies relevant to Ascendi's clients.
• Track senior leadership appointments, organisational changes, investments, expansions, restructuring and other developments that may influence executive talent markets.
• Develop knowledge of key organisations and senior executives within selected sectors and functions.
• Recognise patterns and insights that may be useful to existing clients or create opportunities for future assignments.
• Share relevant market intelligence with the wider team.

Business Development Support

You will also gain exposure to the commercial side of executive search.

• researching prospective clients and organisations;
• preparing background information before client meetings;
• supporting the development of proposals and presentations;
• researching executives and decision-makers within target organisations;
• assisting with industry events and targeted outreach initiatives; and
• identifying market developments that may lead to potential search or advisory opportunities.

What We Are Looking For

Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification.

Approximately 3 or more years of professional experience .

Experience in executive search, recruitment, consulting, market intelligence, research, professional services, financial services, legal research or another analytical environment would be relevant.

Strong research and information-gathering skills.

Ability to analyse large amounts of information and determine what is relevant.

Strong written and spoken English and Chinese (must have), optional to be fluent in Japanese or Korea (nice to have).

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