At a Glance
- Tasks: Help solve complex leadership hiring challenges in the life sciences sector.
- Company: Fraser Dove International, a leading executive search firm.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, generous holiday allowance, and clear career progression.
- Other info: Join a supportive culture with direct exposure to senior leaders.
- Why this job: Gain real responsibility early and make a meaningful impact on client outcomes.
- Qualifications: Curiosity, confidence, resilience, and ambition are key; no recruitment experience needed.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are solving some of the toughest talent and leadership hiring challenges in the life sciences world. It happens through deep networks, market intelligence, trust, credibility and timing. This role sits right at the centre of that. This is not a traditional graduate recruitment role. And it’s definitely not a job where you sit quietly building lists or waiting for instructions. This is a front-row seat to how complex leadership hiring problems are solved inside a high-performing life sciences executive search firm.
If you’re curious about:
- How senior leaders are identified - and how trust, credibility and long-term relationships are built by consistently adding value
- How the toughest leadership hiring challenges are framed, strategised and executed
- How networks become a genuine competitive advantage
- How high-impact commercial work actually happens behind the scenes
This role will stretch you in all the right ways.
Why this role exists:
At Fraser Dove International, we hire graduates with a clear objective: to build the next generation of Executive Search Consultants and future leaders of our business. Over the past decade, we’ve developed industry-leading executive search talent from the ground up. Many of our most senior leaders started their careers at FDI in junior roles. They didn’t just learn how to execute searches. They learned how to build networks, earn trust, influence outcomes and solve complex leadership challenges. This role exists to continue that legacy.
The purpose of this role:
The Client Development Associate role exists to help us solve the hardest talent and leadership hiring problems our clients face - often before they formally exist as “searches”. You are here to:
- Strengthen and grow FDI’s leadership networks across life sciences
- Build deep market understanding in complex, specialist areas
- Ignite, engage and compound commercial conversations that turn relationships into long-term partnerships
- Support and learn directly from FDI Principals and Partners - experienced executive search leaders shaping the partnerships, processes and decisions that matter most
This role is about leverage, influence and long-term value creation. You are not measured on candidates placed. You are measured on network strength, pipeline growth, quality of relationships, insight generated, and opportunities created.
Where you sit in the business:
You’ll work closely with some of the most experienced Principals and Partners in the firm. You’ll see first-hand:
- How senior client relationships are built and sustained
- How leadership hiring decisions are shaped long before mandates are signed
- How judgement, insight and credibility influence outcomes
You’ll be trusted with real responsibility early, contributing to work that directly shapes client outcomes, long-term relationships and the growth of the firm.
What you’ll actually be doing:
- Network Growth & Relationship Building
- Growing and curating high-quality networks of senior life sciences leaders
- Researching and mapping leadership ecosystems across target organisations and markets
- Supporting thoughtful, professional outreach and warm introductions
- Strengthening relationships through structured, consistent follow-up
- Maintaining a living, high-value network that underpins our search and advisory work
Market Research & Talent Intelligence
- Researching companies, leadership teams, ownership structures and growth signals
- Identifying hiring trends, succession risks and capability gaps
- Contributing to Talent Intelligence and market insight shared with clients
- Feeding real-time intelligence into commercial, advisory and strategic conversations
Pipeline Development, Opportunity Creation & Business Development
- Supporting early-stage client conversations and strategic introductions
- Helping prepare Principals and Partners for meetings, pitches and discussions
- Learning how commercial influence works in executive search - without “selling”
- Supporting follow-ups that convert conversations into long-term partnerships
- Helping ensure momentum, insight and opportunity are never lost
High-Impact Partner & Team Support
- Working alongside senior consultants on priority initiatives
- Supporting podcasts, events, roundtables and wider community activity
- Acting as a connector across people, information and opportunity
- Helping turn insight into action across the business
Who this role is for:
This role is for people who:
- Like to win - and understand that winning is built over time
- Have an intrinsic drive to succeed, not just hit short-term targets
- Are fearless learners, comfortable being stretched, coached and challenged
- Want accountability, exposure and responsibility early in their career
- Care about impact, reputation and long-term success
This could be:
- Your first professional role
- A graduate role with serious stretch and exposure
- A second role where you want more trust and responsibility
You don’t need recruitment experience. You do need curiosity, confidence, resilience and ambition.
What we care about (more than your CV):
- You’re naturally curious and commercially minded
- You communicate clearly, confidently and professionally
- You follow things through and take ownership
- You enjoy building relationships over time
- You’re comfortable learning by doing
- You bring positive energy, momentum and intent into a team
What success looks like (first 12 months):
- You’re a trusted extension of our Principals and Partners
- You understand where the toughest leadership hiring challenges sit in the market
- You contribute insight that shapes client conversations and commercial outcomes
- You’ve helped strengthen and grow high-value leadership networks
- You’re confident operating in senior, commercial environments
This role is a launchpad into executive search, not a holding pattern.
What you’ll get in return:
- Direct exposure to senior leaders and complex hiring challenges
- A genuinely supportive, high-performance culture
- Real trust and responsibility early in your career
- Clear progression into Executive Search Consultant roles
- Company incentives, socials and team events
- Hybrid working (1 day WFH after probation)
- Generous holiday allowance
Most importantly: You’ll be doing work that really matters - to clients, to patients, and to your own career.
Client Development Consultant in England employer: Fraser Dove International
At Fraser Dove International, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and high-performance culture. Our Client Development Consultant role offers graduates the unique opportunity to engage directly with senior leaders in the life sciences sector, while building valuable networks and gaining insights into complex hiring challenges. With a clear path for progression into Executive Search Consultant roles, generous holiday allowances, and a commitment to meaningful work, we empower our employees to thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Client Development Consultant in England
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Fraser Dove International!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Fraser Dove International.
We think you need these skills to ace Client Development Consultant in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Fraser Dove International. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Fraser Dove International and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Fraser Dove International. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Fraser Dove International's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fraser Dove International
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Fraser Dove International.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Fraser Dove International will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Fraser Dove International and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
