Principal Consultant - Executive Search

The Principal Consultant is a pinnacle role within recruitment consulting that operates at the sharp end of all consulting 360 activities. This high‑leadership, low‑management position offers autonomy to deliver exceptional customer (Client & Candidate) management, client development, customer experience and to manage all aspects of the vacancy lifecycle.

The Principal Consultant sits between a Managing Consultant and Business Manager, blending top‑level billing expertise with mentorship, strategy and business development. We expect a top biller, client advisor and role model who can influence both clients and colleagues, shaping the company’s growth direction while maintaining strong individual results.

• Generate strong personal revenue and financial contribution consistently.
• Manage senior or complex client relationships and deliver high‑value search assignments.
• Uphold exceptional key performance indicators such as shortlist coverage, CV to interview, and worked‑to‑filled ratios.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, providing talent advisory beyond simple role filling.
• Win new business and grow key accounts through consultative selling.
• Identify market opportunities and position the Group as a thought leader within its specialist sector.
• Build client partnerships that generate repeat business and increase exclusivity.
• Handle client or candidate misunderstandings, disagreements or risks in the absence of the Head of Business.
• Mentor junior and mid‑level consultants; share market knowledge, techniques and best practice.
• Set standards for quality, process and professionalism within the team.
• Be seen as an expert in a specific sector or discipline.
• Review, triage and act on leads from research teams; proactively nurture opportunities such as candidate exits, market intelligence, live vacancies and network intel.
• Engage in warm new business development, securing referrals, building relationships and converting candidate relationships into new client relationships.
• Represent the Group at hosted and industry networking events and socials.
• Deepen relationships with existing clients, schedule regular review meetings, and identify opportunities to expand into other departments.
• Maintain regular check‑ins even when there are no live vacancies, inviting clients to events and building trust for future hiring needs.
• Lead by example, coaching junior consultants on client development and driving new business.
• Execute all aspects of the vacancy lifecycle to an exemplary standard, including market research, candidate brief building, advertising, head‑hunting, interviews, offers and onboarding.
• Ensure a 100% CV‑to‑interview ratio and produce winning shortlists using all available tools.
• Maintain professional MPC/PCM activities within the executive search business, identifying and presenting high‑value talent.

• Demonstrable experience of growing and expanding client relationships and commercial opportunities across a portfolio.
• Track record of exceeding quality metrics and financial targets.
• Exceptional consulting skills within permanent or contract recruitment, with strong performance metrics such as CV to interview and worked‑to‑filled.
• Experience representing the organisation at trade shows and networking events with demonstrable ROI.
• Minimum of five years as a high‑performance recruiter in any sector.
• Reside within a daily commutable distance of Pride Park, Derby.

• Engaging, passionate and confident, able to build rapport in warm and cold relationships.
• Articulate and confident communicator, internally and externally.
• Proactive, hungry and energetic personality.
• Problem solver, decisive with a no‑task‑too‑big mindset.
• Highly driven, self‑motivated with a desire for high‑level commercial and relationship results.
• Exceptional negotiator with high levels of emotional intelligence.

The Group maintains a proudly in‑office policy. Working hours are 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, with a 4:30 pm finish on Fridays. Flexibility is granted as required, with the expectation to be in office when colleagues and customers need support.

• Initial discussion with the Group Sales & Commercial Director – informal conversation.
• 1st Stage Interview – discussion with the Group Chairman, followed by a formal interview with the Head of and Director of the business unit. Includes Q&A and an office tour.
• Final Stage – face‑to‑face with the Group Commercial Director and two potential future colleagues, culminating in a 3‑slide presentation:
• Why you want to work for Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group.
• Why the Group would be glad you joined the team.

Low – £40k | Mid – £42.5k | Top – £45k Package

• Car Allowance
• Uncapped Commission Scheme
• Pension: 4% employer / 5% employee (Opt‑in/opt‑out)
• 25 + 8 bank holidays
• Extended Christmas break & company shutdown
• Sell holidays (max 5)
• Life Assurance: 4 × Annual Salary
• Health Shield – free dental, eyecare, discounted gym, massages
• Private medical care (3 years + service)
• 24/7 Confidential Mental Fitness & Performance Coach Access
• Fully expensed half‑year company away day
• Fully expensed iPhone
• Work‑from‑anywhere laptop with seamless connectivity
• Sickness: after probation – 10 days at full pay, 10 days at half pay

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all seekers. We treat everyone equally irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic‑origin, religion or belief, or political beliefs, and require all staff to act in accordance with this policy.