Associate

Perform Search; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Associate at Perform Search runs day-to-day search execution, leads candidate engagement, and acts as a trusted extension of the Consultant/Partner team. The role requires strong judgment, candidate credibility, and the ability to manage complex searches with minimal oversight.

This is a promotion-track role toward Consultant, offering growth as you take on larger engagements and develop leadership within client projects and internal processes.

Qualifications

• 2–3+ years in executive search, recruiting, or related field.
• Proven independent management of searches or major workstreams.
• Strong interviewing, assessment, and candidate judgment skills.
• Highly organized with strong process discipline.
• Comfortable working directly with senior executives and clients.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end execution for executive searches (Director through C-suite).
• Develop and manage search strategies, timelines, and candidate pipelines.
• Partner with Research to refine target companies and profiles.
• Conduct in-depth candidate interviews and assessments.
• Manage candidate process from outreach through offer acceptance.
• Present candidate slates and assessments to clients.

Skills

Executive search

Candidate interviews

Client management

Relationship building

Job description

The Associate is a core execution and client-facing role at Perform Search. This person runs day-to-day search execution, leads candidate engagement, and acts as a trusted extension of the Consultant/Partner team. The role requires strong judgment, candidate credibility, and the ability to manage complex searches with minimal oversight.

This is a promotion-track role toward Consultant.

Key Responsibilities

Search Execution

• Lead end-to-end execution for executive searches (Director through C-suite)
• Develop and manage search strategies, timelines, and candidate pipelines
• Partner with Research to refine target companies and profiles
• Conduct in-depth candidate interviews and assessments
• Manage candidate process from outreach through offer acceptance

Candidate Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact for senior-level candidates
• Build trust and credibility with executives, founders, and functional leaders
• Provide thoughtful guidance to candidates throughout the search process
• Maintain long-term candidate relationships beyond active searches

Client Interaction

• Participate in client intake calls and progress updates
• Present candidate slates and written assessments
• Anticipate client needs and proactively address risks or delays
• Represent Perform Search professionally and confidently with senior stakeholders

Team & Firm Contribution

• Help improve internal search processes and tools
• Contribute to knowledge building within industry or functional practices
• Support Consultants with business development as appropriate

Qualifications

Required

• 2-3+ years of experience in executive search, recruiting, or a closely related field
• Proven experience running searches or major workstreams independently
• Strong interviewing, assessment, and candidate judgment skills
• High level of organization and process discipline
• Comfort working directly with senior executives and clients
• Clear written and verbal communication skills