Executive Search Consultant

Executive Search Consultant

Trainee 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Transition into executive search, building networks and relationships with senior leaders.
  • Company: Fraser Dove International, a leader in executive search with a focus on development.
  • Benefits: Structured growth, real responsibility, life-changing commission, and hybrid working options.
  • Why this job: Launch your career in executive search with mentorship and impactful work.
  • Qualifications: 1-3 years in recruitment, strong delivery skills, and a desire for influence.
  • Other info: Join a dynamic team with high standards and clear feedback.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

This role is designed as a structured transition into senior executive search for recruiters with 1-3 years’ experience. You won’t be expected to arrive as a fully formed consultant. You will be expected to grow into one, deliberately, with structure, coaching and accountability.

If you’re currently in recruitment and feeling limited by speed over judgement and volume over credibility, this role is a step up, not a sideways move.

Why this role exists

At Fraser Dove International, we hire with intent. We hire experienced recruiters with a clear objective: to develop future Executive Search Consultants and future leaders of our business. Over the past decade, we’ve built a proven track record of developing high-performing contingent recruiters into trusted executive search consultants.

Many of our senior consultants and leaders began their careers in contingent environments before joining FDI, and went on to:

  • Lead complex, retained executive searches globally
  • Build long-term client partnerships across multiple geographical locations
  • Take on leadership roles across Farnham, London, New York and Basel

This role exists to continue that journey, properly structured and properly supported.

The purpose of this role

This role exists to help you transition from delivery-led recruitment into relationship-led executive search. You are here to:

  • Build commercial confidence beyond job-led conversations
  • Headhunt exceptional, passive global talent
  • Develop influence with senior stakeholders
  • Rebuild your network at executive level
  • Learn how executive search work is won before it is delivered
  • Prepare for full ownership as an Executive Search Consultant

You are not measured on speed or volume. You are measured on network strength, pipeline growth, quality of conversations, 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 consultative market insights and intelligence is delivered
  • How leadership hiring decisions are shaped long before mandates are signed
  • How judgement, insight and credibility influence outcomes
  • How executive search differs fundamentally from recruitment

You will not be pushed straight back into delivery. This is a retraining phase, designed to raise your ceiling, not repeat your past. 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
  • 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 ideal if you:

  • Have 1–3 years’ experience in recruitment (contingent or retained)
  • Are strong at delivery but want more influence and ownership
  • Enjoy the commercial side but want to level up significantly
  • Want to build credibility and a long-term career
  • Are ambitious about progressing into full executive search
  • 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

Those with an entrepreneurial mindset looking to sharpen their skills and learn from the best.

You should expect:

  • High standards
  • Clear feedback
  • Commercial accountability
  • A genuine learning curve

You do need curiosity, confidence, resilience and ambition.

What we care about (more than previous experience and results)

  • 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 -18 months)

  • You’ve built your network and subject matter expertise at executive level within one of the defined FDI practices.
  • You’re contributing meaningfully to client conversations and opportunities
  • You understand how executive search work is won and delivered
  • You’re operating with confidence in senior commercial environments
  • You’re ready to take on full Executive Search Consultant responsibility

This role is a launchpad into executive search, not a holding pattern.

What you’ll get in return

  • A genuine step up into executive search
  • Direct exposure to senior clients and complex hiring challenges
  • Structured development and clear progression
  • Real responsibility and trust
  • Ability to earn life changing commission
  • Company incentives, socials and team events
  • Hybrid working (1 day WFH after probation)

Most importantly: You’ll be building a career with depth, credibility and long-term upside. You’ll be doing work that really matters - to clients, to patients, and to your own career.

Executive Search Consultant employer: Fraser Dove International

At Fraser Dove International, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters growth and development for our team members. With a structured transition into senior executive search, you will receive dedicated coaching and support, allowing you to build meaningful relationships and influence at the highest levels. Our collaborative work culture, combined with opportunities for real responsibility and life-changing commission, makes this an ideal environment for ambitious recruiters looking to elevate their careers in Farnham.
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Contact Detail:

Fraser Dove International Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Executive Search Consultant

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry leaders on LinkedIn or at events. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Executive Search Consultant role.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills in conversations. When chatting with potential employers, focus on your ability to build relationships and provide insights. This is what sets you apart from the crowd!

Tip Number 3

Don’t be shy about following up! After meetings or networking events, send a quick message to keep the conversation going. It shows you're genuinely interested and helps you stay top of mind.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We’re all about finding the right fit, so make sure you showcase your passion for executive search and how you can contribute to our team.

We think you need these skills to ace Executive Search Consultant

Relationship Building
Network Growth
Commercial Acumen
Research Skills
Stakeholder Management
Consultative Selling
Talent Intelligence
Market Insight
Pipeline Development
Business Development
Communication Skills
Curiosity
Resilience
Ownership

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Journey: When you write your application, make sure to highlight your journey in recruitment so far. We want to see how your experiences have shaped you and prepared you for this step up into executive search.

Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value genuine communication, so don’t be afraid to express your passion for building relationships and your ambition to grow within the industry.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We’re looking for candidates who understand the nuances of transitioning from delivery-led recruitment to relationship-led executive search.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to develop into an Executive Search Consultant.

How to prepare for a job interview at Fraser Dove International

Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into Fraser Dove International's values and mission. Understand how they transition recruiters into executive search consultants. This will help you articulate why you're a great fit for their structured growth approach.

Showcase Your Curiosity

Demonstrate your natural curiosity during the interview. Ask insightful questions about their processes, client relationships, and how they measure success. This shows that you're not just looking for a job, but genuinely interested in growing within the company.

Highlight Relationship Building Skills

Since this role focuses on building networks and relationships, share specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully developed professional connections. Emphasise your ability to maintain and strengthen these relationships over time.

Embrace the Learning Mindset

Express your eagerness to learn and grow. Talk about how you’ve embraced challenges in the past and how you’re ready to be coached and held accountable. This aligns perfectly with their focus on developing future leaders.

Executive Search Consultant
Fraser Dove International
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