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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead executive search assignments in Industrial and Aerospace sectors with autonomy and excellence.
- Company: Cielo, the world's leading Talent Acquisition Partner with a global reach.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by securing top leadership talent for major clients.
- Qualifications: Substantial executive search experience and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Collaborative global team environment with a focus on knowledge-sharing.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
About the Opportunity
Cielo is the world's leading Talent Acquisition Partner, and our Executive Search practice works at the highest levels of the talent market — helping some of the world's most complex industrial and aerospace organisations identify and secure senior and executive leadership talent. We are looking for a Principal Consultant to join our UK-based search team, working across a portfolio of major clients in the Industrial and Aerospace sectors. This is a senior delivery role — you will own and execute retained executive search assignments end-to-end, managing the full search process and the hiring manager relationships that sit within it, with a significant degree of autonomy. You will work in close partnership with our senior Partners, who own the overall client relationships and account strategy. Your focus is on executing searches with excellence — running rigorous processes, building trust with hiring managers, and delivering outcomes that reflect the quality our clients expect at this level.
What You'll Do
- Lead end-to-end delivery of retained executive search assignments across Industrial and Aerospace clients — from search strategy and candidate identification through to shortlist presentation and offer management.
- Manage hiring manager relationships within active assignments, maintaining clear communication on process, timelines, and candidate pipeline.
- Develop and execute targeted search strategies, including talent mapping and market research to identify passive candidate populations.
- Conduct thorough candidate assessments and produce high-quality written reports and evaluation summaries for client presentation.
- Operate with a high degree of autonomy on live mandates, managing multiple searches concurrently and prioritising effectively.
- Work closely with Partners to ensure search briefs are well-scoped and that client expectations are clearly set and managed throughout.
- Contribute sector and market intelligence that adds depth to client engagements and informs search strategy.
What We're Looking For
- Substantial executive search experience — from a retained search firm or an embedded/RPO search function — with a track record of owning and delivering searches independently.
- Sector knowledge across Industrial and/or Aerospace is strongly preferred; candidates from adjacent sectors with transferable expertise will be considered.
- Experience managing searches at Director, VP, or C-suite level, and the credibility to engage at that level with hiring managers and senior HR stakeholders.
- Strong process discipline: able to manage complex, multi-stakeholder searches without close supervision.
- Excellent written communication — your candidate assessments and client-facing materials will represent Cielo's standards directly.
- Collaborative by nature: you will work within a global team where knowledge-sharing, transparency, and mutual support are core to how we operate.
- Resilience and sound judgement — executive search is rarely straightforward, and you will be expected to navigate complexity calmly and professionally.
Why Cielo
Cielo Executive Search combines the scale and infrastructure of the world's leading talent acquisition business with the rigour and quality of a top-tier retained search practice. You will work on meaningful, complex mandates for major clients — with the backing of a global research and delivery network, proprietary tooling, and a team that takes the craft of search seriously. Competitive base salary and benefits. UK-based, with hybrid working and some client travel required.
Principal Consultant (Executive Search) - Industrial & Aerospace employer: Cielo Talent
Contact Detail:
Cielo Talent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Consultant (Executive Search) - Industrial & Aerospace
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the Industrial and Aerospace sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or even local meetups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Principal Consultant role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the companies you're applying to and understand their challenges. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in executive search. Show them you’re the one they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups. After interviews or networking chats, drop a quick thank-you email. It keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s just good manners!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined process that makes it easy for you to showcase your skills. Plus, it helps us keep track of your application and get back to you quicker. Don’t miss out!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Consultant (Executive Search) - Industrial & Aerospace
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Consultant role. Highlight your executive search experience and sector knowledge in Industrial and Aerospace. We want to see how your background aligns with what we’re looking for!
Showcase Your Writing Skills: Since excellent written communication is key, ensure your application materials are clear, concise, and professional. Use this opportunity to demonstrate your ability to produce high-quality reports and evaluations, just like you would in the role.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value collaboration and transparency, so don’t hesitate to share your unique approach to managing complex searches and building relationships with hiring managers.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Cielo!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cielo Talent
✨Know Your Sector Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the Industrial and Aerospace sectors. Understand the key players, current trends, and challenges these industries face. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you engage in meaningful conversations about how you can add value.
✨Showcase Your Executive Search Experience
Be ready to discuss specific examples of your past executive search assignments. Highlight your role in managing the full search process, from strategy to candidate presentation. Use metrics or outcomes to demonstrate your success and how you’ve built trust with hiring managers.
✨Prepare for Complex Scenarios
Expect questions that test your resilience and judgement in navigating complex searches. Think of scenarios where you faced challenges and how you overcame them. This will show your ability to handle the intricacies of executive search with professionalism.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Your written communication skills are crucial, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare to present your candidate assessments and evaluation summaries as if you were presenting to a client. This will reflect your understanding of Cielo's standards and your readiness for the role.