Search Operations & Research Assistant

Asian American Arts Alliance; United States; Remote; USD 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the arts and culture sector is seeking a Search Operations and Research Assistant to support its Executive Search practice. This role involves coordinating operational and research tasks, and engaging closely with the team to ensure smooth search processes. Ideal candidates will have experience in research, strong communication skills, and a passion for the arts. The position offers a starting salary of $45,000 annually with generous benefits in a remote setting, allowing for both collaboration and personal growth.

Benefits

Generous paid time off

Health, dental, and 401k benefits

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in a support function.
• Strong desire to work in the arts and culture industry.
• High attention to detail required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research for prospective candidates and maintain databases.
• Coordinate the distribution of job announcements and search outreach.
• Engage in team meetings and company growth initiatives.

Skills

Time management

Communication

Research

Organization

Tools

Microsoft Office

Slack

Asana

GSuite

Job description

Reports to: Director of Search Operations & Community
Internal Collaborators: Full Team
External Collaborators: Executive Search Clients/Search Committees, Applicants/Candidates, Applicant Referral Sources, Industry Associations
Compensation: Salary of $45,000 annually (paid monthly), plus annual bonus based on performance and overall company success at year-end.
Benefits: All TOCG staff receive generous paid time off. TOCG offers benefits via a PEO that provides health, dental, and 401k with employer match (match is available after 3 months of service).
Timeline: As soon as feasible
FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt (remote/work-from-home)

About the Opportunity

Tom O’Connor Consulting Group seeks a Search Operations and Research Assistant to support our growing Executive Search practice, coordinating various operational and research functions for the smooth and effective execution of our search processes. This individual will be responsible for gathering accurate, credible information (including contact information) to expand our database and fuel our outreach to prospective candidates. They will also coordinate logistics within the search process from posting of position profiles, to receipt of applicant materials, to coordination of interviews. This is a prime opportunity for an incredibly detail-oriented individual capable of maintaining a high degree of confidentiality, and who wishes to join a growing start-up serving the arts and culture space. The role will allow the successful candidate to collaborate with and learn from industry leaders, and will receive regular direction from the Director of Search Operations & Community and Vice President of Executive Search, and work closely with the Search Associate.

Duties and Responsibilities

Research for Prospective Candidates (60%)
Execute research strategies in multiple disciplines/domains simultaneously while aggregating a high volume of data
Develop lists of target organizations and companies that align with our clients’ objectives, budgets, locations, or other factors as possible sources of prospective candidates
Enter, update, and retrieve candidate information ensuring accurate, up-to-date information is maintained in our applicant tracking system
Deliver on immediate research needs while maintaining long-term research projects

Coordination of Search Outreach (20%)
Distribute position announcements via approved job boards and appropriate social media sites and communities
Support email outreach efforts as guided by Director of Search Operations & Community
Attend Search Team meetings to understand client needs and search progress to maximize outreach efforts for each project’s unique situation

Overall Company/Team Engagement (10%)
Take part in weekly full team meetings to understand company objectives, stay abreast of client and industry trends, and collaborate on the evolution of services
Participate in gathering and recommending material for periodic newsletters, company social media channels, and company podcast
Engage in TOCG teamwide trainings and retreats to participate in company growth and evolution

Personal & Career Advancement (10%)
Pursue learning opportunities to expand your skills and improve company processes and systems
Approach challenging tasks that will serve company goals while pushing you out of your comfort zone—and potentially illuminate future career opportunities (hopefully with us!)
Continually set measurable goals for your own performance, and increase your aptitude with giving and receiving feedback

Requirements

Qualifications and Requirements

• Kindness, confidence, and a generous spirit
• A commitment to the principles of DEIA and Anti-Racism, and an appetite for continual reflection at the personal, company, and process levels
• Excellent time management abilities while adhering to multiple deadlines, and a desire to work in a remote setting. We are a small, fast-paced company with very high standards of excellence, but one that also respects and encourages work-life balance and appropriate boundary-setting with all stakeholders.
• 2+ years of experience in a support function in a professional setting
• Familiarity with and passion for the arts, and a strong desire to pursue a career within the arts and culture industry
• Ability to proactively communicate with leadership through regular updates, both for accountability and to signal readiness for new projects
• Persistence and resourcefulness in conducting in-depth research, exploring all possible sources
• Interest in developing and maintaining databases and knowledge management systems; and understanding of the vital nature of clean and reliable data
• Exceptional communication and organizational skills required, including proficiency in all major Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), productivity platforms (Slack, Asana) GSuite, and video conference platforms
• An ability to learn new programs quickly
• Strong sense of curiosity with an eagerness to learn and master complex processes, coupled with an analytical and systematic approach to problem-solving
• High attention to detail absolutely required

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet, women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, they encourage you to apply.

They are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to arts & culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, they will be glad to have you on our radar.

Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in the arts & culture space and what you hope to bring to this role.

Application Instructions

Application Instructions

There is no formal deadline, and they would like for this role to begin as soon as possible.

To apply, visit the online application and submit your materials. In your cover letter, explain how your background, experience, and relevant skills align with the desired qualities for this role, highlighting any direct experience with similar roles and institutions. No phone calls, please. Finalists may be asked to complete a written and verbal communication assignment with compensation for time spent.

Tom O’Connor Consulting Group, LLC is committed to diversity in all hiring, both internally and on behalf of search clients. Applicants from populations historically excluded from the arts and culture industry are strongly encouraged to apply.