Analyst, Board & CEO Advisory Practice

Spencer Stuart; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 68,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement savings plan with employer

Employer match

Paid time off

Health, dental, vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Wellness programs

Voluntary benefits

Job summary

Spencer Stuart seeks an Analyst for the Board & CEO Advisory Practice, ideally in Chicago or New York City. Analysts support board search assignments from launch through completion with rigorous research, plan development, and client‑ready deliverables.

They collaborate with Associates and Consultants, contributing to market insights and materials while managing multiple workstreams with accuracy. Ideal candidates are recent graduates with strong academics, advanced research and synthesis

Qualifications

• Recent or soon‑to‑be university graduate with a four‑year bachelor's degree.
• Graduates Fall 2026 are welcome; Spring 2027 graduates are not eligible.
• GPA 3.4+ in any field of study.
• Well‑rounded with leadership in internships, work, service, athletics, or student organizations.
• Strong research, analysis, and synthesis skills; ability to derive insights from incomplete information.
• Strong project management skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Permanent work authorization for the country of application.

Responsibilities

• Support Board Advisory search assignments from kick‑off to completion.
• Conduct deep, creative research to develop target company lists, candidate pipelines, and market insights.
• Understand client business, governance priorities, and industry context to inform research plans.
• Maintain accurate project materials and deliver client‑ready documents with high attention to detail.
• Contribute to pitch materials, thought leadership, and business development efforts as needed.

Skills

Research & Synthesis

Project management

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Creative thinking

Attention to detail

Leadership experience

Self-directed

Proactive

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Excel

PowerPoint

MS Word

Quest

Capital IQ

D&B Hoovers

BoardEx

LinkedIn

Job description

Spencer Stuart seeks to recruit an Analyst for the Board & CEO Advisory Practice who will ideally be based in Chicago or New York City. Analysts play a critical and visible role on our team. Working closely with Associates, Senior Associates, and Consultants, they help drive Board Advisory search assignments through disciplined project management, rigorous research, and thoughtful contributions to assignment strategy. Analysts support Board Advisory search execution from launch through completion by building research strategies, developing target company and candidate lists, producing talent mappings and market insights, maintaining accurate project materials, and preparing clear, client‑ready deliverables. They are expected to anticipate team needs, surface risks or gaps early, and manage multiple workstreams with accuracy and flexibility. Analysts also contribute to pitch materials and other business development initiatives, while maintaining Board Advisory search assignment support as their primary focus. Successful Analysts may pursue a range of career development paths and leadership opportunities, including advancement over time to the Consultant role where there is interest, strong performance, and sponsorship. Throughout this journey, Analysts build highly transferable capabilities in project management, research, analysis, communication, and creative problem‑solving, positioning them for long‑term success.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Practice Leadership Consultants and Associates (on a project basis)

Other key relationships: Consultants, Talent Partner, Client and Business Development Manager, Senior Associates, Associates, Executive Engagement Administrators

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Support Board Advisory search assignments from kick‑off through completion, helping translate the client mandate into a clear research and execution plan. Conduct deep, creative research across industries and functions to develop target company lists, candidate pipelines, executive profiles, and relevant market insights. Build a practical understanding of each client’ business, strategy, ownership context, board composition, and governance priorities, rapidly learning the relevant industry and functional context as needed. Maintain accurate, well‑organized project materials and produce clear, concise, client‑ready documents with exceptional attention to detail. Proactively monitor progress, flag issues and emerging risks early, challenge assumptions constructively, and recommend practical next steps. Contribute research and execution support to pitch materials, thought leadership, and other business development priorities as capacity and practice needs require.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

Successful candidates will be proactive, self‑directed, and highly organized, with the judgment to anticipate team needs, flag issues early, and keep complex search assignments moving. They will manage competing priorities and quick‑turn requests with flexibility, accuracy, and composure. Ideal candidates will bring deep research and synthesis skills, intellectual curiosity and creative thinking. They will be able to move beyond obvious sources, connect disparate information, and communicate a clear, evidence‑based point of view in writing and conversation. They will thrive in a collaborative, cross‑industry, and cross‑functional practice while working effectively with limited direction. A strong ownership mindset, exceptional attention to detail, and the confidence to speak up, ask difficult questions, and challenge assumptions constructively will be essential. Specific experience should include: Recent or soon‑to‑be university graduate with a four‑year bachelor’s degree. Candidates graduating in Fall 2026 are welcome to apply; Spring 2027 graduates are not eligible for this opportunity. Strong academic performance is required (3.4+ GPA) in any area of study Well‑roundedness demonstrated through leadership experience in internships, work experience, community service, athletics, or roles in student‑led organizations Advanced research, analysis, and synthesis skills, with the creativity and judgment to develop insights from incomplete or ambiguous information Strong project management skills and exceptional attention to detail Strong verbal and written communication skills Self‑directed, proactive, and resourceful; able to manage competing priorities, raise concerns early, and challenge assumptions constructively Intellectual curiosity about corporate governance and the ability to learn unfamiliar industries and functions quickly Highly proficient with MS Office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, and Word) In possession of permanent work authorizations necessary for the country in which you are applying.

CRITICAL CAPABILITIES FOR SUCCESS

Project Management Plan, manage, and drive work across Board Advisory search assignments, with business development and intellectual capital support as secondary priorities. Manage multiple projects with competing deadlines, adapt to different working styles, and maintain clear ownership of commitments, risks, and next steps. Create clear workplans, maintain accurate project materials and deliver high‑quality work on time. Anticipate next steps, follow through independently and proactively identify where the team needs additional support. Regularly reassess priorities and flex across assignments as client needs and deadlines change. Raise issues, dependencies and deadline risks early, with a proposed path forward whenever possible.

Problem Solving

Apply structured analysis, creative thinking, and sound judgment to search assignments, business development initiatives, and intellectual capital. Develop a succinct, accurate point of view that advances project objectives and constructively challenges assumptions where appropriate. Listen closely and ask insightful questions that sharpen the research strategy. Use a broad range of internal and external sources to uncover non‑obvious candidates, patterns, and insights. Test facts, identify gaps, and distinguish evidence from assumption before drawing conclusions. Make thoughtful inferences despite incomplete information and know when additional validation is needed. Use clear, concise business writing to produce client‑ready analysis and accurate Firm records.

Impact and Effectiveness

Strengthen team effectiveness and project quality by communicating directly, adapting to different working styles, and demonstrating the courage to speak up when an issue, risk, or assumption warrants attention. Listen and ask questions to clarify understanding and demonstrate knowledge. Place team goals ahead of individual goals. Consider the needs of colleagues and adapt their own communication style accordingly. Clearly establish expectations and clarify tasks to optimize time and resources. Willingly assist beyond your assigned responsibilities when necessary. Raise issues early and to find solutions collaboratively. Remain poised when under pressure or managing unexpected challenges. Proactively share beneficial information while maintaining discretion.

Governance Knowledge and Learning Agility

Build a broad understanding of corporate governance, board composition, succession, and board effectiveness. Rapidly learn the industry, functional, and ownership context relevant to each assignment, knowing how to find, assess, and share the information that will most improve the team’s work. Stay current on governance developments, board and executive movements, and emerging issues relevant to client assignments. Approach unfamiliar industries and functions with curiosity, quickly identifying the business model, strategic context, and leadership implications that matter most. Navigate Quest, Capital IQ, D&B Hoovers, BoardEx, LinkedIn, and other internal and external resources to generate distinctive insights and maintain accurate information.

Development Self and Others

Develop self and others; seek and provide feedback, modify own performance or behavior based on feedback. A successful Analyst is constantly growing, learning, and enhancing their skills and capabilities. Seek and be open to feedback from colleagues, place value on self‑development efforts and opportunities for growth. Exhibit self‑awareness and be willing to adjust your behavior for the benefit of the team.

Firm Values Champion the Firm’s values

Champion the Firm’s values, culture, and Code of Conduct; engage, participate, and collaborate with others. A successful Analyst, who people like working with, may over time also have a leadership role. Embrace diverse opinions and encourage teamwork. Promote inclusivity by bringing cultural awareness and sensitivity to every interaction with colleagues. Participate and contribute to internal activities; engage with office and practice. Represent Spencer Stuart well by speaking positively about the Firm and aligning your behavior with the Firm’s values. Conduct yourself in a manner that is consistent with the Firm’s values.

The base compensation for this position is $80,000.00 per year. The actual base compensation offered will be dependent on the individual’s skills, experiences, and qualifications.

This position will be eligible to participate in our annual discretionary bonus program.

Spencer Stuart also offers a competitive benefits package, which includes:

• Retirement savings plan with discretionary profit sharing contribution and employer match
• PTO (minimum 15 days per year, increases with tenure), paid sick time (10 days per year), company holidays (12 days per year), and paid leaves of absence when applicable
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, and healthcare flexible spending account
• Life Insurance, and short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Wellness benefits, including an employee assistance program, virtual mental health program, and mindfulness program
• Voluntary benefit options, including supplemental life insurance, identity theft protection, and whole life insurance with long-term care and critical illness coverage

Spencer Stuart is a proud equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are committed to non‑discrimination without regard to actual or perceived race, ethnicity, creed, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, immigration status, ancestry, age, marital status, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any basis prohibited under applicable federal, state or local law.

Founded in 1956 and privately owned, Spencer Stuart is one of the world’s leading executive search and leadership advisory firms. With 70 offices in 31 countries, the firm is considered to be the advisor of choice among top companies seeking guidance and counsel on senior leadership needs, and has unrivaled access to leading executives around the world. Spencer Stuart works with a wide range of clients, including multinational corporations, entrepreneurial businesses, private equity firms, family‑owned companies, and nonprofit organizations.

Spencer Stuart is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affluent Actions employer and provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures.