Executive Search Associate (CFO Practice) – Texas

Higher Group; Town of Texas (WI); Hybrid; USD 275,000 - 500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work across Austin/Houston

Job summary

Higher Group in Texas is seeking an Associate – CFO Executive Search to support two senior producers in a high-volume CFO practice. This is an executive search role, not a finance role, and only candidates with search/recruiting experience should apply.

Base salary up to $275,000 with total compensation up to $500,000. Hybrid work across Austin or Houston, TX, with a boutique, global platform and direct exposure to Partners billing $10M+ annually.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in executive search, ideally within CFO, finance, or office-of-the-CFO mandates.
• Comfortable managing multiple concurrent searches with strong attention to detail and pace.
• Private equity-backed client exposure strongly preferred.
• Career-focused, ambitious, and looking for a long-term home rather than a stepping stone.
• Strong communication and client-facing potential, with the polish and resilience to represent a top-tier global brand.
• Based in or open to relocating to Austin or Houston, TX.

Responsibilities

• Lead Associate role supporting two senior producers across sourcing, candidate management, and process execution.
• Focus on CFO and office-of-the-CFO mandates across private equity-backed and corporate clients.
• Genuine client exposure — join client meetings, contribute market intelligence, and build relationships with boards, private equity investors and CFOs.
• Immediate deal flow on high-profile, large retained mandates from day one.
• Real opportunity to grow into broader partner support and, over time, principal-track responsibility.

Skills

Executive search

CFO mandates

Candidate management

Client relationship

Job description

Associate – CFO Executive Search (Lead Support to Top Producers)

Texas | Hybrid | Global Top-5 Search Platform

This is an executive search role – not a finance role – only apply if you have search/recruiting experience

Compensation: $275K base | Up to $500K OTE

We're partnered confidentially with one of the most prestigious executive search platforms in the world, ranked in the Global SHREK Top 5, on an exceptional and rare Associate mandate within their industry-leading Texas CFO practice.

This is not a research-pool or shared-associate environment. You'll be hired directly to support two of the highest-producing CFO Partners in the business — a Partner and Principal generating $10M+ combined in annual production — as their dedicated right-hand and lead executor.

This is a standout opportunity for a high-performing Associate to step into one of the busiest, best-regarded CFO practices in executive search, working alongside two of the industry's most respected operators from day one.

Compensation & Structure

• Base salary up to $275,000
• Total compensation (including bonus) up to $500,000
• Bespoke bonus structure built around individual level and rolling 12-month expectations
• Hybrid working across Austin or Houston, TX

Why this firm?

• Elite production environment: you'll be working directly alongside Partners billing $10M+ combined annually, with genuine daily exposure to how the best in the business operate
• Established, high-volume desk: one of the busiest CFO practices globally, with high-profile retained mandates and no shortage of deal flow
• Real career pathway: a structured, proven route from Associate through to Principal and ultimately Partner — the current Principal started in this exact seat
• Boutique culture, global platform: the reach and resources of a global market leader, with the collaboration and agility of a close-knit, high-performing team

The Opportunity

• Lead Associate role supporting two senior producers across sourcing, candidate management, and process execution
• Focus on CFO and office-of-the-CFO mandates (VP Finance, Controller, Treasury) across private equity-backed and corporate clients
• Genuine client exposure — join client meetings, contribute market intelligence, and build relationships with boards, private equity investors and CFOs
• Immediate deal flow on high-profile, large retained mandates from day one
• Real opportunity to grow into broader partner support and, over time, principal-track responsibility

Ideal Candidate

• Proven experience in executive search, ideally within CFO, finance, or office-of-the-CFO mandates
• Comfortable managing multiple concurrent searches with strong attention to detail and pace
• Private equity-backed client exposure strongly preferred
• Career-focused, ambitious, and looking for a long-term home rather than a stepping stone
• Strong communication and client-facing potential, with the polish and resilience to represent a top-tier global brand
• Based in or open to relocating to Austin or Houston, TX