Executive Search Associate

Heidrick & Struggles; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Heidrick & Struggles in Chicago seeks an Executive Search Associate to help clients identify exceptional leadership talent. You’ll work with senior executives and gain strong skills in research, relationship management, and client advisory.

You’ll build market insights, talent maps, and candidate pipelines, partnering with consultants on high-impact client work while supporting assessment and search execution and delivering a superior client and candidate experience.

Qualifications

• 3–4 years of professional experience in recruiting or related field.
• Experience in executive search, talent acquisition, consulting, or related areas preferred.
• Experience with market research, candidate sourcing, or CRM tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Identify and engage top leadership talent.
• Build market insights, talent maps, and candidate pipelines.
• Partner with consultants on high-impact client work.
• Support candidate assessment and search execution.
• Deliver an exceptional client and candidate experience.

Skills

Curious

Driven

Proactive

Strong communicator

Relationship building

Analytical

Job description

Some of the most important decisions organizations make come down to one thing: leadership

.

As an Executive Search Associate, you’ll play a key role in helping clients make those decisions by identifying and engaging exceptional leadership talent.You’ll work alongside experienced consultants, engage with senior executives, and build highly valuable skills in research, relationship management, and client advisor

What You’ll Do:

• Identify and engage top leadership talent
• Build market insights, talent maps, and candidate pipelines
• Partner with consultants on high-impact client work
• Support candidate assessment and search execution
• Deliver an exceptional client and candidate experience

Who You Are:

• Curious, driven, and proactive
• Strong communicator and relationship build
• erHighly organized with strong attention to detail
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Analytical with strong problem-solving skills

What You Bring:

• 3–4 years of professional experience, or 2+ years of transferable recruiting experience
• Experience in recruiting, executive search, talent acquisition, consulting, or related fields preferred
• Experience with market research, candidate sourcing, or CRM tools is a plus

What You’ll Gain:

• Exposure to senior leaders and complex business challenges
• Skills in executive search, leadership advisory, and talent strategy
• Mentorship from experienced consultants
• Meaningful opportunities for growth and career advancement