Research Analyst

Onstott Group; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Onstott Group in Boston is seeking an entry-level Research Analyst to join our growing, partner-led executive search firm. You will learn the executive search business while contributing across client engagements, building candidate profiles, and preparing research deliverables.

The role involves candidate and market research, maintaining pipelines and maps, and turning findings into client-ready materials. A curious, detail-oriented learner will thrive in this entrepreneurial environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with a strong academic record.
• 0–2 years of professional experience; open to exceptional candidates straight out of college.
• Excellent written communication and ability to synthesize information.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Comfort with technology and willingness to learn research tools.

Responsibilities

• Conduct targeted candidate sourcing for executive search assignments across industries and functions.
• Identify potential candidates using LinkedIn Recruiter, databases, and online research.
• Research companies, executives, markets, and competitive landscapes.
• Build and maintain candidate pipelines, market maps, and target lists.
• Prepare accurate, polished client-facing materials such as candidate profiles and research summaries.

Skills

Analytical skills

Written communication

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Research skills

Technology savvy

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

We are a growing, partner-led, nationally focused retained executive search firm based in Boston seeking a Research Analyst to join our team. This is an entry-level opportunity for a smart, curious, highly organized individual who is interested in learning the executive search business and contributing across multiple aspects of our client engagements.

Our work is highly focused on private equity firms and their portfolio companies, helping build high-performing leadership teams through deep research and a highly consultative process. We support investors across the full investment lifecycle, from deal diligence and leadership assessment through value-creation hires and exit readiness. Our sector expertise spans technology, healthcare, industrials, consumer, and beyond. With a legacy dating back to 1987, our firm has developed long-standing client partnerships, with more than 90% of our work coming from repeat business and referrals.

The Research Analyst will play a versatile role supporting both the research and execution sides of our search process. A significant part of the role will involve identifying and researching potential executive candidates, companies, and markets. The Analyst will also help turn that work into accurate, polished client-facing materials, including candidate profiles, search updates, research summaries, and other presentations and deliverables.

Because we are a small, entrepreneurial firm, this role will extend beyond a narrowly defined set of responsibilities. We are looking for someone who is eager to learn, comfortable jumping in where needed, and excited by the opportunity to gain exposure to many aspects of the business. The right person will be intellectually curious, exceptionally detail-oriented, technologically savvy, and able to learn new concepts and tools quickly.

We expect much of the executive search-specific knowledge required for the position can be learned on the job. We are hiring for aptitude, judgment, curiosity, and work ethic as much as prior experience.

Key Responsibilities

Candidate & Market Research

• Conduct targeted candidate sourcing for executive search assignments across a range of industries and functions.
• Identify potential candidates using LinkedIn Recruiter, databases, online research, AI-enabled tools, and other research methodologies.
• Research companies, organizational structures, executives, markets, and competitive landscapes.
• Build and maintain target company lists, candidate pipelines, and market maps.
• Develop an understanding of what makes a candidate relevant to a particular search and apply that judgment to ongoing research.
• Maintain accurate, well-organized candidate and company information within the firm's systems.
• Work with senior team members to refine research based on evolving search priorities and client feedback.
• Prepare accurate, polished client-facing materials, including candidate profiles, search updates, research summaries, target lists, briefing documents, and presentations.
• Gather and synthesize information from multiple sources into concise, well-organized written materials.
• Proofread and quality-check deliverables to ensure accuracy, consistency, formatting, and overall presentation.
• Assist with preparation for client meetings and search update calls.
• Support the organization and maintenance of search documentation and internal materials.
• Enter and maintain accurate information in the firm's CRM and other systems.
• Help ensure searches move forward efficiently and deliverables meet the firm's standards for quality and responsiveness.

Technology, AI & Process Improvement

• Become a highly capable user of the firm's technology platforms, research tools, CRM, and other systems.
• Explore and help the team adopt practical uses of AI and emerging technologies to improve research, productivity, organization, and the quality of our work.
• Identify opportunities to make recurring processes more efficient and effective.
• Help troubleshoot day-to-day technology and workflow challenges and share new tools, techniques, and best practices with the broader team.
• Approach technology with curiosity and a willingness to experiment, learn, and teach others.

Team & Firm Support

• Work collaboratively with partners, recruiters, researchers, and operations colleagues across multiple concurrent searches.
• Manage shifting priorities and respond to time-sensitive requests with urgency and attention to detail.
• Pitch in on projects and responsibilities outside the core job description as needs arise.
• Contribute to a collaborative, entrepreneurial culture in which team members take ownership and help one another.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive client and candidate information.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree with a strong academic record.
• 0-2 years of professional experience; we are open to exceptional candidates directly out of college.
• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to find, evaluate, organize, and synthesize information.
• Excellent attention to detail and a high standard for accuracy and quality.
• Strong written communication skills and an ability to communicate information clearly and concisely.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple assignments and changing priorities.
• High level of comfort with technology, including Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel).
• Interest in and familiarity with AI tools and enthusiasm for identifying new ways to use technology effectively.
• Prior experience with executive search, recruiting, private equity, or professional services is a plus but not required.

What We're Looking For

Above all, we are looking for someone with the capacity and desire to learn quickly. The strongest candidate will be:

• Smart and intellectually curious: enjoys figuring things out and learning about unfamiliar companies, industries, people, and technologies.
• Exceptionally detail-oriented: notices errors and inconsistencies and takes pride in producing accurate, polished work.
• A quick learner: absorbs new concepts, feedback, systems, and ways of working rapidly.
• Resourceful: knows how to find answers independently and isn't easily stumped by an unfamiliar assignment.
• Technologically savvy: comfortable learning new applications and interested in helping colleagues make better use of technology and AI.
• Flexible and willing to pitch in: comfortable wearing multiple hats and helping wherever needed in a small firm.
• Highly organized and dependable: follows through on commitments and can be trusted with important details and deadlines.
• Low ego and collaborative: enjoys being part of a team and is equally willing to take ownership of an assignment or support someone else.
• Professional and discreet: demonstrates good judgment when working with confidential client and candidate information.
• Motivated by high standards: wants to do excellent work and responds well to feedback and coaching.
• Hybrid role preferred, with regular in-office presence in Boston's Back Bay.
• Small, collaborative, entrepreneurial team with significant exposure to senior members of the firm.
• Fast-moving environment where priorities can change and team members are expected to contribute across functions.
• Strong opportunity to learn the executive search business and take on increasing responsibility over time.