Principal Recruitment Consultant - Executive Search

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary + performance bonus

Private healthcare and pension

Executive coaching

Cape Town office

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town seeks a Principal Recruitment Consultant to lead executive search assignments, placing C-suite and senior managers. This senior role requires strategic thinking, extensive network, and market expertise to grow the executive search division.

Ideal candidate has a proven track record in high-value recruitment, strong client management, and the ability to drive business growth while delivering top-tier talent for diverse sectors.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of dedicated experience in executive search or high-level recruitment.
• Proven track record in placing senior executives and managing complex search processes.
• Extensive professional network within Cape Town and beyond.
• Strong analytical, assessment, and client presentation skills.
• Ability to operate autonomously and deliver outstanding results.
• Deep understanding of corporate structures and leadership roles.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute complex executive search mandates for leadership positions.
• Develop and implement sophisticated search strategies to source top talent.
• Cultivate relationships with C-suite executives and key decision-makers.
• Conduct in-depth competency-based interviews and provide candidate assessments.
• Contribute to growth and profitability of the executive search practice.
• Advise clients on talent acquisition strategies and market intelligence.

Skills

Executive search

Client management

Networking

Market knowledge

Assessment & interviewing

Senior stakeholder engagement

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prestigious recruitment consultancy, is seeking a highly accomplished Principal Recruitment Consultant to lead executive search assignments in Cape Town . This senior role requires a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of senior-level hiring across diverse sectors. You will be instrumental in building and expanding the executive search division, leveraging your extensive network and market expertise to place C-suite and senior management professionals. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional client management skills and a proven track record of success in high-value recruitment projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute complex executive search mandates, identifying and engaging top-tier talent for leadership positions.
• Develop and implement sophisticated search strategies to source hard-to-find candidates in niche markets.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with C-suite executives and key decision-makers within client organizations.
• Conduct in-depth competency-based interviews and provide detailed candidate assessments to clients.
• Contribute significantly to the strategic growth and profitability of the executive search practice.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients on talent acquisition strategies and market intelligence.

Requirements

• A minimum of 7 years of dedicated experience in executive search or high-level recruitment.
• Demonstrated success in placing senior executives and managing complex search processes.
• An extensive professional network within the relevant industry sectors in Cape Town and beyond.
• Exceptional analytical, assessment, and client presentation skills.
• Proven ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy and deliver outstanding results.
• Strong business acumen and a deep understanding of corporate structures and leadership roles.

Benefits

• Highly competitive base salary and an attractive, performance-driven bonus structure.
• Opportunity to shape and lead a key division within a respected consultancy.
• Prime office location in Cape Town with excellent facilities.
• Comprehensive benefits package including private healthcare and pension fund.
• Access to continuous professional development and executive coaching.