Senior Associate, Consumer Practice (Retail, Direct to Consumer, Apparel & Luxury Goods)

SSI (U.S.) Inc. d/b/a Spencer Stuart; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Spencer Stuart is seeking a Senior Associate for the Consumer Practice (Retail, Direct to Consumer, Apparel & Luxury Goods). Based in New York, Stamford, or San Francisco, you will lead and support executive search projects, collaborating with Consultants to deliver high-caliber CEO, board, and senior leadership assignments.

You will manage candidate pipelines, craft market materials, and coordinate assessments while contributing to business development.

Qualifications

• Progressive Associate or Associate-equivalent experience in executive search, leadership advisory, or a professional services firm.
• Established domain/subject matter expertise in consumer, retail or adjacent industries.
• Experience managing a high volume of concurrent projects with competing deadlines.
• Strong ownership, initiative and leadership in client and internal teams.
• Experience preparing client-facing deliverables and presentations for senior executives.

Responsibilities

• Build a platform with strong domain or geographic expertise and contribute to knowledge management.
• Own and develop defined candidate pools for searches and contribute to candidate assessments.
• Draft position specifications and proposals after client briefings; present assessment results.
• Define search/engagement strategy and coordinate resources to meet timelines.
• Lead or co-interview with consultants and prepare candidate presentations and reports.
• Develop relationships with senior stakeholders and contribute to business development and practice initiatives.

Skills

Executive search

Leadership advisory

Client relationship management

Project management

Communication skills

Fluent English

Education

Undergraduate degree required; postgraduate degree preferred

Job description

Senior Associate, Consumer Practice (Retail, Direct to Consumer, Apparel & Luxury Goods)

SENIOR ASSOCIATE ROLE

Spencer Stuart is seeking to recruit a Senior Associate for the Consumer Practice. This Senior Associate will have the opportunity to help solve Chief Executive Officer, Board Director, and other C-level functional executive searches, while working in partnership with several core Consultants, in the Retail, Director to Consumer, Apparel & Luxury Goods sectors.

Senior Associates are highly valued members of the Spencer Stuart team who are recognized for the quality of their work and impact related to delivering high quality results consistently. Senior Associates are expected to work proactively and effectively on multiple client engagements through taking ownership of the search or assessment/advisory process. This includes having exemplary project management skills, industry and/or functional domain expertise, judgement and assessment skills, and commitment to the highest quality delivery orientation. With excellent communications and assessment skills, Senior Associates will demonstrate consistently their skill and capability in identifying and bringing forward candidates, conducting in-depth assessments of business experiences and professional capabilities of top executive talent, properly validating all candidates, and preparing insightful, client-ready documentation. The role of Senior Associate requires an individual with strong interpersonal skills who enjoys the challenge of working internally in a team based environment and externally with a variety of candidates and clients, as well as diverse, senior-level executives and board members. Senior Associates have earned a seat at the table in candidate and client interactions and are regularly contributing to discussions with candidate insight or market and/or subject matter expertise.

The Senior Associate will ideally be based in New York, Stamford, or San Francisco.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to:

Consumer Practice Leader

Consultants (on an assignment basis)

Other key relationships:

Associate Practice Leader

Market Leader

Analysts, Associates, Senior Associates, and Consultants

EEAs

Talent Partner

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Build a Platform - strong industry or functional domain or subject matter expertise

The Senior Associate will be recognized as an expert in an industry, functional or geographically based candidate pool. He/she may be sought out for advice and input during the business development stage or in the client meeting itself, based on his/her depth of experience in a specific industry, function or geography. He/she will:

• Contribute to the Firms knowledge management activities by owning and working a defined candidate pool both proactively and during the course of normal search work.
• Contribute to qualifications packages by providing market information and potential profiles to demonstrate capability and knowledge of industry or functional area.

Deliver Quality

With strong assessment skills, Senior Associates will regularly draft position specifications and/or proposals following the initial client briefing, interview pre-qualified candidates/assessment participants along with the Consultant, create [long list] progress reports and draft candidate presentations or assessment/development reports including third party views (or references in the case of LAS reports). If the search Senior Associate has met the candidate, he/she may participate in taking selected references under the guidance of a Consultant. He/she will:

Demonstrate ownership of the assignment/LAS engagement, define the search/assessment strategy, coordinate resources and meet all timelines.

• Assist in drafting the position specification/proposal on designated assignments/engagements following the client briefing.
• Develop and present outstanding prospects by routinely conducting third-party source/pre-reference calls (search only) and thoroughly assess experiences and critical capabilities for success.
• Co-interview candidates/participants with the Consultant and draft candidate presentations or assessment and development reports with evidence of assessment against experience and capabilities.
• In conjunction with the Consultant, take formal references on the final candidate, where the Senior Associate has had a significant level of interaction with that individual (search only).
  

Communication and Impact

Senior Associates often participate in client meetings and candidate interviews and, during the course of a search or advisory engagement, will be responsive to client enquiries in the absence, or under the direction, of a Consultant. He/she will:

• Actively participate in client briefing meetings with the Consultant and contribute to the development of the search/engagement strategy, providing insightful advice in client meetings based on market or subject matter expertise and demonstrating outstanding relationship building and communications skills.
• As appropriate, liaise directly with the client and maintain dialogue with prospects/candidates/participants regarding the search/advisory engagement, ensuring that clients and candidates/participants experience a seamless model when working with the Consultant and Senior Associate.
• Prepare information for the client progress report and other meetings by teaming with the Consultant and Executive Assistant, anticipating the information needs of others and providing an informed perspective on the market and the prospects/candidates/participants.
  

Role Model

Senior Associates are expected to be role models and good citizens to strengthen our People and Culture and make a broader contribution to the Firm. Senior Associates are viewed as go-to individuals and willing volunteers and they will have actively participated in contributing to the local office, practice or Firm development. He/she will:

• Ensure up-to-date assignment/engagement, company and candidate/participant information during the course of an assignment/engagement is available for colleagues through appropriate use of Quest.
• Actively contribute to practice/office/region/Firm with a global mindset (eg business development, knowledge building and sharing, best practice sharing, intellectual capital, marketing events, social activities etc.)
• Develop self and others (eg being involved in or leading learning and development initiatives, mentoring, regional/global projects or other relevant activities for the Firm)
• Adhere diligently to Firm policies and standards for candidate validation, documentation and assessment as well as demonstrating professional behavior and living our values (including adherence to Red Book, Quest policies etc.)

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

• Progressive Associate or Associate-equivalent experience with executive search, leadership advisory, or another professional services firm environment.
• Has established domain and/or subject matter expertise; ideally in consumer, retail or an adjacent industry.
• Demonstrated experience managing a high volume of concurrent projects with competing deadlines, consistently delivering high-quality outcomes with a strong sense of urgency.
• Consistently operates with a high level of ownership and independence, proactively shaping project direction, creating structure from ambiguity, and confidently stepping into leadership roles with clients and internal teams when needed.
• Experience preparing client-facing deliverables, presentations, assessments, or reports for senior executive audiences, with regular exposure to client discussions and presentation of findings or recommendations.
• Recognized as a top performer through a combination of successful project outcomes, increasing levels of responsibility, title progression, distinctive project leadership, or selection for high-priority and complex assignments.
• Experience building trusted working relationships with senior stakeholders, clients, candidates, and colleagues across functions, geographies, or teams.
• Experience contributing beyond core project execution through mentoring junior colleagues, supporting practice initiatives, participating in business development activities, or leading internal firm efforts.
• International, cross-border, or globally-oriented project experience is preferred.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken); additional language skills are an advantage.
• Undergraduate degree required; postgraduate degree preferred.

CRITICAL CAPABILITIES

Project Management

Takes the lead in managing the search/engagement process and oversees collective team efforts to drive cadence and flow of client outcomes. Successful Senior Associates are trusted by consultants and are given and welcome increasing responsibility, with a high level of multiple and complex projects. They will achieve this through:

• Time and Project Management, having capacity, a sense of urgency, anticipating challenges and remaining calm under pressure
• Accountability and Initiative, taking responsibility for certain aspects of client and candidate handling and assuming ownership of projects/deliverables

Candidate Development

Consistently develops qualified and interested candidates for portfolio of searches. Successful Senior Associates will quickly develop excellence in search strategy to build strong contact management lists and do this through their:

• Problem-solving, anticipating complexities and being proactive and creative in addressing them to optimize client success
• Judgment and Insight, drawing on their expertise to provide insight for accurate decision‑making

Credibility and Influence

Communicates effectively both in writing and verbally; has "gravitas"(executive presence) and is able to build relationships. Successful Senior Associates make an immediate and long‑lasting impression on others and will do this through:

• Influence, as a trusted advisor both internally and externally where their opinion is sought out by clients, candidates and internal teams.
• Communication, able to navigate complex, senior executive interactions with confidence, poise and agility as well as being able to challenge others to change or adapt to new approaches or ideas.

Market and Candidate Knowledge

Obtains and incorporates knowledge to enhance client work in a meaningful way. Knows how to get information, effectively uses resources including Quest. Successful Senior Associates will have deep candidate pool knowledge and the ability to build and share knowledge, which can also help drive Business Development opportunities and intellectual capital initiatives, by having:

• Distinct Industry/Function/local market Expertise, sought out as a subject matter expert with the ability to be creative in identifying new and additional sources.
• Business & Organizational Acumen, able to speak the language of business and understanding the context of businesses and their place in the wider competitive market

Developing Self & Others

Develops self and others; seeks and provides feedback, coaches and mentors to improve team performance and productivity; modifies own performance or behavior based on feedback. Successful Senior Associates are constantly growing, learning and enhancing their skills and capabilities. They will do this by being:

• Receptive and Responsive to Feedback, seeking that feedback and modifying their behaviour accordingly as well as demonstrating their commitment to career growth by looking for coaching and development from a variety of people.
• An active and sought‑after Coach and Mentor, collaborating and delegating in such a way that the team feels empowered and engaged, setting an example and creating opportunities for others to develop.

Firm Values

Champions the Firms values, culture and Code of Conduct; engages, participates and collaborates with others. Successful Senior Associates, who people like working with and who may also have some kind of leadership role, do this through:

• Teamwork and Collaboration, helping to drive the team towards common goals.
• Building Affiliation within a global internal network, seeking opportunities to engage in cross-border work and/or making an above and beyond contribution to the Firms knowledge of a candidate pool.
• Championing Firm Values, being supportive of Firm initiatives, willing to volunteer and participating in Firm activities.

Total compensation for this role includes several components, including a generous performance-based discretionary bonus, excellent healthcare benefits, and a base salary range of $150-$170k.

Spencer Stuart is a proud equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are committed to non-discrimination without regard to actual or perceived race, ethnicity, creed, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, immigration status, ancestry, age, marital status, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any basis prohibited under applicable federal, state or local law.