Associate, Engineering & Product (Technology Officer Practice)

Spencer Stuart; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Spencer Stuart seeks an Associate for the Chief Technology Officer and Chief Product Officer sub-practices within the Technology Officer Practice in San Francisco. You’ll identify and assess candidates, partner with senior consultants, and manage the end-to-end search process while building client relationships across tech leadership roles.

The role emphasizes research, advisory support, and relationship management with a strong focus on product and engineering leadership in a top-tier firm.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of progressive experience in technology-focused executive search or technology recruiting within a top-tier professional services firm.
• Demonstrated passion for technology and expertise in Product and Engineering.
• Technical fluency or engineering background with curiosity and rapid learning.
• Strong project management and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Be a key part of the client leadership team and own the research for each project end to end.
• Identify, develop, assess candidates and maintain an active pulse for market talent.
• Partner with Consultants to deliver excellent outcomes across assignments.
• Manage the search process from kickoff to candidate presentation and close for a broad range of clients.
• Develop and maintain multiple client relationships with venture-backed and PE-backed firms and Fortune 500s.

Skills

Executive search

Technology focus

Project management

Communication

Relationship management

Education

Undergraduate degree

Postgraduate degree a plus

Tools

LinkedIn

ZoomInfo

Pitchbook

Job description

Spencer Stuart is seeking to recruit an Associate for the Chief Technology Officer and Chief Product Officer sub-practices within the Technology Officer Practice. This position offers the opportunity to partner with a close team on senior-level searches, including Chief Product Officer, Chief Technology Officer, SVP/EVP Engineering and Product, General Manager, President, and CEO assignments. As a core member of the search team, the Associate will engage with clients and candidates throughout the search process, with primary responsibility for identifying, assessing, and developing diverse, high-caliber candidate slates. The role combines research, candidate and client advisory, strategic thinking, and relationship management to deliver exceptional outcomes for clients. Successful candidates will demonstrate strong problem-solving and project management skills, excellent work ethic, intellectual curiosity, attention to detail, and a results-oriented mindset. Working with internal and external senior-level stakeholders, Associates are expected to develop deep expertise in the product and engineering leadership landscape and become trusted advisors throughout the search process. The Associate must be based in San Francisco. The firm values an apprenticeship culture, so being present in the office at least two days per week is expected for close collaboration with the core team. Particularly during the early stages, it’s helpful to spend extra time in the office to learn effective execution, build relationships, interact with colleagues, and take part in the local office community.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports to: Technology Officer Practice Leader Consultants (on an assignment basis)
• Primary team: Muthiah Venkateswaran - North America Technology, Media & Telecommunications Practice Leader, Product Sub-Practice Leader, Core member of Engineering and Product Practices
• Christian Daniels – Engineering Sub-Practice Leader for Technology, Media & Telecommunications Industry, Co-Founder of Product Sub-Practice, Core member of Engineering and Product Practices
• Samuel Feinberg – Core member of Engineering and Product Practices
• Other key relationships: Associate Practice Leader Market Leader Analysts, Associates, Senior Associates, and Consultants EEA’s Talent Partner

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be a key part of the client leadership team and own the research for each project end to end.
• Take ownership for identifying, developing, assessing candidates and keeping an active pulse for candidates in the market including proactively collecting back channels to identify best talent for every role.
• Partner with Consultant to deliver excellent outcomes.
• Help to manage the entire search process – including pitching potential assignments, helping executive teams and boards define the ideal candidate profile, market research and interviewing, candidate presentation, candidate experience, and assignment close – for a broad range of clients across the technology and non-technology landscape.
• Help to manage and continue to develop multiple key client relationships at once for tier-one venture backed and private equity backed organizations as well as Fortune 500 companies.
• Prepare organized information for client updates/meetings by teaming with the Consultant and the EEA.
• Provide an informed perspective on prospects/candidates and how they match against the key selection criteria.
• Contribute actively to the start-up phase of each search by participating in client kick-off meetings with the Consultant and assisting in the development of the position specification, search strategy and target list of companies.
• Gather relevant information regarding the appropriate industries and target companies.
• Identify potential prospects and sources and represent the client effectively in the marketplace, discussing the opportunity with relevant executives.
• Validate, and further assess, potential candidates through reference and source calls.
• Partner with the Consultant to develop and present a slate of qualified candidates to each client.
• Anticipate what needs to drive the search to closure, stay ahead of deliverables, and be prepared to supply additional information, such as related industry/segment trends, market findings, reaction to the opportunity, compensation data, etc., gained during the course of a search.
• Contribute to the preparation of position specifications, candidate presentations and reference reports adhering to the Firm’s assessment methodology.
• Communicate effectively with the Consultant and EEA, and remain fully abreast of search developments, in order to communicate accurately and credibly regarding the assignment.
• Be aware of activities and management changes in the engineering and product functions; keep team members apprised of relevant developments in the marketplace.
• Add to the firm’s candidate pool expertise by continually identifying and introducing new talent to the firm.
• Ensure that up to date assignment, company and candidate information during the course of an assignment is always available for colleagues, by leveraging technology and information from the firm’s state-of-the-art, proprietary database.
• Contribute to responses to inquiries for new business, as well as business development initiatives.
• Be willing and proactive about contributing to local, practice or firm-wide initiatives.
• Coordinate and share practice related information with colleagues for potentially broader distribution.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

• 3+ years of progressive experience in technology-focused executive search or technology recruiting experience within a top-tier professional services environment.
• Demonstrated passion for technology and enthusiasm for building deep expertise in Product and Engineering.
• Candidates should bring technical fluency or an engineering foundation, coupled with intellectual curiosity, a strong learning orientation, and the drive to quickly develop expertise in the space.
• Superior project management skills demonstrated through experience working in a high-performance environment where multiple projects and competing demands are the norm.
• Advancement of skills and knowledge evidenced through promotion or tenure.
• Excellent communication skills shown through clear, structured and concise written and verbal presentation.
• Undergraduate degree required, postgraduate degree a plus

CRITICAL CAPABILITIES FOR SUCCESS

Credibility and Influence

Communicates effectively both in writing and verbally; has "gravitas" (executive presence) and is able to build relationships. Able to hook candidates and convince consultants to meet them, building a strong internal brand: Interacts with a range of internal and external stakeholders and candidates with differing styles and egos, understanding and appreciating what is important to each. Becomes a credible and authentic professional by observing colleagues and emulating role models. Adapts verbal and written communications according to expectations for role and audience, specifically how to be confident, succinct, concise, prepared and professional.

Candidate Development

Develops qualified and interested candidates for portfolio of searches. A successful Associate will develop excellence in search strategy canvasing the market and identifying the strongest target prospects: Observes and asks questions to fully understand the issue; synthesizes information from a variety of internal/external sources, despite possibly having ambiguous or incomplete information. Gathers relevant data from a variety of sources, including views gathered through Third Party Sourcing (TPS), to help determine broad capabilities, gaps, qualifications/fit; articulates reasons for fit to spec in a succinct manner. Determines priority of which potential candidates to approach. Adds meaningful notes into internal systems, diligently uses latest technology tools to track all candidate engagement. Market and Candidate Knowledge Obtains and incorporates knowledge to enhance client work in a meaningful way. Knows how to get information, effectively uses the available firm resources, developing and sharing candidate pool knowledge: Identifies executive movements in the market and updates internal systems (ideally in real time) and colleagues; asks questions and shows interest in networking. Has a genuine interest in/curiosity about people and businesses; and has an understanding of businesses and their interrelationships. Understands how to identify and navigate the various relevant sources available (internal/proprietary and external such as LinkedIn, ZoomInfo, Pitchbook, etc.).

Project Management

Plans, manages and drives own efforts to identify and develop a slate of quality candidates as measured by consultant, client and candidate feedback. The successful Associate will do this while handling multiple projects with competing deadlines, working with individuals who have differing styles, and managing challenging expectations. Takes an end-to-end view of each project and the required resources; works at pace and with attention to detail while managing competing deadlines and priorities; has a sense of urgency. Understands the search process (from internal kick-off to referencing); asks questions to understand; and is proactive. Works on multiple projects; meets deadlines and is resilient under pressure; delivers on commitments on time or notifies as early as possible if deadlines will slip. Demonstrates enthusiasm, tenacity and intellectual curiosity; action-oriented; deals with problems immediately. Is results focused and flexible; demonstrates a strong work ethic and resiliency.

Developing Self and Others

Develops self and others; seeks and provides feedback, modifies own performance or behavior based on feedback. A successful Associate is constantly growing, learning and enhancing his/her skills and capabilities: Seeks and is open to feedback from colleagues, placing value on self development efforts; seeks opportunities for growth.

Invests in learning

Incorporates new tools and technology; adapts to process changes that increase efficiency and maintain quality. Dedicates time to the development of Analysts and actively supports others in reaching their full potential.

Firm Values

Champions the Firm’s values, culture and Code of Conduct; engages, participates and collaborates with others. A successful Associate, who people like working with and who may over time also have a leadership role: Accepts others’ opinions and encourages teamwork. Brings cultural awareness and sensitivity to each interaction with colleagues. Participates actively and contributes to internal activities; engages with office and practice. Represents Spencer Stuart well by speaking positively about the Firm and aligning behavior to Firm values. Conducts themselves in a way that is consistent with the Firm’s values.

Total compensation for this role includes several components, including a generous performance-based discretionary bonus, excellent healthcare benefits, and a starting base salary range of $100,000-$130,000.

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.

Achieving Excellence As a leading professional services firm, Spencer Stuart prides itself on having a unique culture—a company culture made up of extremely results-oriented individuals, who also have strong relationship and collaboration orientations. Spencer Stuart strives for excellence in all that it does, and in all of its teams.

Looking For Leaders Spencer Stuart consultants apply real insight into clients’ strategic requirements and proven assessment tools to recruit leaders who have the necessary skill, experience, and personal qualities to advance company strategies and achieve outstanding results. Teams are organized into industry and functional practices to maximize sector specialization and knowledge sharing across the firm. These client service teams are supported by first-rate associates and research analysts, working across international borders and backed by state-of-the-art technology.

Problem Solvers Spencer Stuart is not only matching the right management with the right business missions, it’s also creating incredibly meaningful Leadership Teams that add long-term value, solve a wide range of important problems across organizations, and help candidates further exceptional careers.

Professionally, employees also learn multinational businesses inside out by working side-by-side with the world's most phenomenal clients and leaders.

Website Accessibility Disability Accommodation for Individuals Applying to Spencer Stuart U.S.

Spencer Stuart is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Aff… provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures. Disability Accommodation for Individuals Applying to Spencer Stuart U.K. Spencer Stuart UK is an equal opportunities employer whereby all employment decisions are based on job requirements, business needs and individual qualifications, with no attention to any protected characteristic. We are also a Level 1 Disability Confident Employer and will therefore provide reasonable adjustments to individuals in job application processes and ensure the process is fully inclusive and accessible. If you have any difficulty using our online system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, you may use the alternative email address below to contact us about your interest in employment in the United States or United Kingdom: [e-mail]. Only resumes for current open positions can be accepted.

Notice to Recruiters & Staffing Agencies

Our preference at Spencer Stuart is to recruit candidates directly. We do occasionally partner with a limited number of preferred agencies when we identify a need for third party staffing support. We do not accept unsolicited agency resumes. We will pay a fee only if the candidate is presented after there is a signed recruiting agreement in place between Spencer Stuart and the agency and only if we have explicitly engaged the agency to submit resumes for a specific current opening. We do not pay fees for unsolicited candidates submitted to Spencer Stuart or any Spencer Stuart employee by email, fax, phone, mail, verbal referral or any other means. In the case of candidates submitted to Spencer Stuart without a signed agreement in place or without being solicited to work on a specific open requisition, Spencer Stuart explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those unsolicited candidates without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.

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