Executive Search Research Associate

Southern Arkansas University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent university in Boston is seeking a Research Associate to support executive searches in the asset management sector. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree, strong research and communication skills, and a collaborative spirit. This role is team-oriented and offers an opportunity to engage directly in research strategies. Candidates should be detail-oriented and adept at managing multiple projects. The position operates in a hybrid model: in-office Monday to Thursday and remote on Fridays.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university with a strong academic record.
• At least one year of relevant experience in research or a similar field.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with databases.
• Strong research and analytical abilities.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with databases or CRM systems is a plus.
• Highly organized with strong time management and follow-up.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
• Interest in financial services and asset management.
• Comfortable working on cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Support searches as the primary research resource across multiple assignments.
• Maintain data integrity within the proprietary system.
• Draft position specifications and conduct original research.
• Participate in client meetings such as search kickoffs and status updates.
• Provide clear, concise communications to support internal coordination and client service.
• Grow into lead research for more complex, senior-level searches and contribute to due diligence.

Skills

Written and verbal communication skills

Research and analytical abilities

Time management skills

Attention to detail

Initiative

Team collaboration

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM systems

Job description

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BraddockMatthewsBarrett is a retained executive search firm focused on the asset management industry. With offices in New York, Boston, and London, we partner with clients around the world to recruit senior talent across investment, distribution, C-suite, and other key functional areas.

Our clients include asset owners (such as endowments, foundations, and family offices), private equity and private credit firms, hedge funds, investment managers, and private wealth managers. Our partners are recognized leaders in our field and are well respected across the industry.

We’re driven by the belief that great partnerships drive great outcomes. By aligning our interests with those of our clients, we build long‑term relationships based on trust, performance, and collaboration. We deliver consistent results, high‑quality candidates, strategic agility, and hands‑on service at every stage of the search process.

With a team of 30 professionals across our offices, we combine the depth and resources of a global firm with the personal attention of a boutique.

At BraddockMatthewsBarrett, we value curiosity, initiative, and integrity. Our team‑oriented culture provides young professionals with mentorship from experienced industry leaders, hands‑on learning, and a meaningful opportunity to build a career in executive search.

The Position

As a Research Associate, you will play a critical role in supporting searches by serving as the primary research resource across multiple open assignments. You'll maintain data integrity within our proprietary system, ensuring all information is accurate, complete, and up to date. Working closely with lead Partners, you will help execute the research strategy for each search—including drafting position specifications, building candidate maps, leveraging our database, conducting original research, and developing targeted workbenches. You will participate in key client meetings such as search kickoffs and status updates, and will follow up with clear, concise communications to support internal coordination and client service. As you grow in the role, you'll take on lead research responsibilities for more complex, senior‑level searches and begin building your skills in candidate assessment and due diligence. In addition to search‑specific work, you’ll contribute to day‑to‑day research tasks and special projects, gaining broad exposure to the asset management industry and the executive search process.

We are looking for someone with a level of commitment, initiative, and passion for our industry that suggests they will become a long‑term key contributor to our firm. Our culture is highly collaborative and deeply committed to achieving the best outcomes for our clients. We value individuals who are proactive, dedicated, and eager to go the extra mile—someone who thrives in a team‑oriented environment and takes pride in delivering high‑quality work.

This position is based in our Boston (Wellesley, MA) office, with an in‑office schedule Monday through Thursday and remote work on Fridays.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree from a four‑year college or university, with a strong academic record
• At least one year of relevant experience
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Strong research and analytical abilities
• Keen attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with databases or CRM systems is a plus
• Highly organized, with strong time management skills and consistent follow‑through
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines
• Interest in financial services and asset management
• Comfortable working on cross‑functional teams in a fast‑paced environment

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR IN AN ASSOCIATE

• You take initiative.
  You’re a self‑starter who’s motivated to do great work and take ownership of projects — even under tight timelines.
• You’re curious and like solving problems.
  You enjoy digging into research, thinking critically, and coming up with creative solutions — especially when things aren’t black and white.
• You’re organized and detail‑driven.
  You thrive on structure, stay focused from start to finish, and care about getting the details right — whether it’s an internal spreadsheet or a client deliverable.
• You’re a strong communicator.
  You know how to keep others in the loop, communicate clearly, and work well across a team.
• You’re values‑driven.
  You bring integrity, humility, and professionalism to everything you do — and you care about putting the client first.
• You understand the importance of good data.
  You treat information carefully, knowing it’s a key asset in our work, and take pride in being accurate and consistent.