Researcher in City of London

An opportunity to develop your career in specialist executive search.

At Arkesden Partners, we are a specialist, fully retained executive search firm advising many of the world's leading private capital investment firms on mid-to-senior-level appointments.

For nearly 20 years, we have built a strong reputation across Private Equity, Real Estate, Private Credit, Energy & Infrastructure, and Investor Relations & Client Solutions.

As our business and research platform continue to grow, we are looking for an ambitious, intellectually curious and commercially minded Researcher to join our London team.

The opportunity

This is an opportunity to play a central role in a specialist executive search business, working on mid-to-senior-level appointments across the private capital industry.

Working closely with our Consultants, Partners and Head of Research, you will be involved throughout the full search lifecycle, developing a deep understanding of our clients, their businesses, investment strategies and the markets in which they operate.

This is much more than a traditional sourcing role. Research sits at the heart of our search model, and you will have the opportunity to develop genuine market expertise, build relationships with senior investment professionals and contribute meaningful insight to the searches you work on.

We want our Researchers to become experts in their markets, with the confidence and commercial understanding to influence search strategy and deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients.

What you'll be doing

• Conducting in-depth market research and talent mapping across the private capital and investment sectors.
• Working closely with Consultants and Partners on retained executive search assignments.
• Developing a detailed understanding of clients, their investment strategies, organisational structures and hiring requirements.
• Identifying, researching and engaging high-calibre investment professionals.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with candidates and developing an extensive understanding of your market.
• Contributing to search strategy, longlists, shortlists and candidate recommendations.
• Taking ownership of candidate outreach, assessment and management throughout the search process.
• Developing market intelligence and identifying new approaches to accessing and engaging relevant talent.
• Collaborating across sector teams and sharing knowledge and insight with colleagues.
• Gaining exposure to client meetings, pitches and search update calls.

Who we're looking for

We are particularly interested in individuals with at least one year of professional research experience, ideally within executive search, and preferably with exposure to financial services, private markets or investment.

You may already be working as a Researcher within an executive search firm and be looking for an opportunity to broaden your exposure to clients, markets and the wider search process. Equally, we would welcome strong researchers from adjacent professional research environments who are interested in developing their career within executive search.

We're looking for someone who is:

• Naturally curious, analytical and commercially minded.
• Interested in financial markets, investment and the private capital industry.
• Confident communicating with and building relationships with senior professionals.
• Highly organised, proactive and comfortable managing multiple assignments and priorities.
• Able to understand complex information and translate it into meaningful market insight.
• Collaborative, self-motivated and comfortable working with autonomy.
• Ambitious to develop deep sector expertise and build a long-term career in executive search.

You don't need to have every aspect of the role mastered from day one. What matters most is your curiosity, work ethic and desire to develop.

Why join Arkesden?

Work with exceptional clients

You'll gain exposure to some of the world's leading private capital investment firms, working on complex and senior-level appointments across a range of investment sectors.

Be part of a genuinely research-led business

Every mandate we undertake is fully retained. This allows us to focus on the quality and depth of our research, rather than volume, and ensures Researchers are integral to the success of every assignment.

Develop your market expertise

You'll have the opportunity to build a detailed understanding of the investment landscape, develop meaningful relationships with senior professionals and become a recognised expert in your specialist markets.

Learn from experienced people

Work alongside experienced Consultants, Partners and our Head of Research in a collaborative environment where knowledge is shared, ideas are encouraged and individual development is supported.

Build a career with options

We recognise Research as a valuable career in its own right. You can develop into a specialist Researcher and future research leader, or explore a longer-term progression into a Consultant / 360 role, taking ownership of mandates and client relationships.

Enjoy autonomy and responsibility

We are a close-knit, entrepreneurial team that values initiative, accountability and individual contribution. You'll be trusted to take ownership and make a meaningful impact as you develop.

About Arkesden Partners

For nearly 20 years, Arkesden Partners has advised leading private capital investment firms on their recruitment needs.

Our fully retained approach, specialist market knowledge and long-standing client relationships have established us as a trusted executive search partner across our core markets.

We are proud of our collaborative culture, high standards and entrepreneurial approach, and are continuing to invest in the people and platform that will drive our next phase of growth.

If you're looking for an opportunity to develop your research expertise, work alongside talented people and build a rewarding career within specialist executive search, we'd love to hear from you.