Executive Search Consultant

Executive Search Consultant

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
HR Careers & Nationwide Recruitment Service Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead executive searches for C-suite and senior roles in Private Equity environments.
  • Company: Dynamic recruitment firm focused on high-impact executive placements.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, uncapped commission, hybrid working, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Join a supportive team with opportunities to grow your own desk.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by connecting top talent with leading PE-backed companies.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in executive search and recruiting for high-growth businesses.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Location: London

Practice: Executive Search Senior Leadership & Private Equity

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Consultant, perhaps a Senior Consultant, Principal Recruitment Consultant or Managing Consultant with a proven track record delivering senior-level and executive appointments, ideally within Private Equity, PE-backed portfolio companies, or high-growth environments. You will lead retained search mandates across C-suite, Director, and critical leadership roles, partnering directly with PE funds, operating partners, and portfolio leadership teams. This is a high-impact role where your work directly influences value creation, turnaround strategies, and growth acceleration. If you have recruited CFOs, COOs, CPOs, CTOs, Heads of Finance, Heads of Operations, or senior commercial leaders for PE-backed businesses, you will thrive here.

Key Responsibilities

  • Deliver end-to-end executive search assignments across senior, director, and C-suite roles.
  • Lead retained searches for PE funds and portfolio companies, managing confidential and time-critical mandates.
  • Conduct market mapping, competitor analysis, and targeted headhunting of passive senior candidates.
  • Recruit for deal teams, operating partners, and value-creation leadership roles where required.
  • Partner with boards, founders, and PE investors to define leadership competencies and cultural fit.
  • Run structured leadership assessments, competency interviews, and behavioural evaluations.
  • Present high-quality shortlists supported by detailed candidate insights and leadership evaluation.
  • Contribute to the growth of the executive search & PE practice.
  • Build long-term relationships with senior leaders, investors, and industry specialists.
  • Drive business development through networking, referrals, and strategic client engagement.

What Youll Bring

  • Proven experience in 360 recruitment, senior appointments, or executive search.
  • Proven experience recruiting for Private Equity, PE-backed businesses, or high-growth scale-ups.
  • Strong capability in headhunting, passive candidate engagement, and market intelligence.
  • Ability to manage complex, multi-stage recruitment processes with accuracy and pace.
  • Commercial awareness, resilience, and a consultative approach to senior stakeholder partnership.
  • Experience mentoring or supporting junior consultants (Principal level).
  • A confident, credible communication style suited to board-level and investor environments.

Why Join Us

  • Work on retained executive search mandates with PE funds and portfolio companies.
  • Access to leadership assessment tools, psychometrics, and advanced search methodologies.
  • Warm client portfolio with opportunities to grow your own PE desk.
  • Competitive salary, uncapped commission, and annual performance bonuses.
  • Hybrid working, flexible hours, and strong investment in professional development.

Ideal Backgrounds

  • Executive Search Senior Appointments
  • Finance, HR, Operations, Commercial, or Technology recruitment
  • PE, VC, or high-growth scale-up environments

Executive Search Consultant employer: HR Careers & Nationwide Recruitment Service Ltd

As a leading global consumer products manufacturer, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to excel. With competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and ample opportunities for professional growth, our Sales Manager role in the EMEA region offers a unique chance to make a significant impact while working alongside a passionate team dedicated to innovation and success.

HR Careers & Nationwide Recruitment Service Ltd

Contact Details:

HR Careers & Nationwide Recruitment Service Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Executive Search Consultant

Dive into the Talent Acquisition Community

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We think you need these skills to ace Executive Search Consultant

Executive Search
Senior Appointments
Private Equity Recruitment
Market Mapping
Competitor Analysis
Headhunting
Candidate Engagement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Passion for Talent Acquisition:In your cover letter, let your passion for recruiting shine through! Talk about what drew you to talent acquisition. Share experiences where you helped others find their dream jobs or any times you've been involved in hiring processes – it’ll show us at HR Careers & Nationwide Recruitment Service Ltd that you're genuinely invested in the field.

Highlight Relevant Skills and Certifications:Make sure your CV includes any relevant skills or certifications related to recruiting. Mentioning your knowledge of applicant tracking systems, personality assessments, or even any HR-related qualifications can set you apart. This way, we can see straight away that you're not just any candidate but one with the necessary tools for talent acquisition.

Tailor Your CV for the Job:When applying for Executive Search Consultant at HR Careers & Nationwide Recruitment Service Ltd, tailor your CV to reflect the job description. Highlight previous experiences in recruitment, candidate sourcing, or employee engagement that align with what we’re after. Personalisation shows we’re not just another checkbox on your job applications!

Bring Your Unique Perspective:In your cover letter, don't hesitate to share your unique perspective on what makes a good recruiter. Whether it's building strong candidate relationships or your approach to diversity in hiring, your insights can resonate well with our team. We love a fresh take, so let it shine!

How to prepare for a job interview at HR Careers & Nationwide Recruitment Service Ltd

Know Your Sourcing Strategies

In the talent acquisition world, it’s all about knowing the best sourcing strategies. Be prepared to discuss specific techniques you’ve used to find and attract top talent, whether that’s through social media, networking events, or innovative outreach methods. Bring examples that showcase your capability!

Value of Employer Branding

Employer branding is a huge part of recruitment, so be ready to chat about how you’ve contributed to building an attractive company image. Think about how you’d pitch HR Careers & Nationwide Recruitment Service Ltd to potential candidates and maintain a consistent brand image across platforms.

Demonstrate Your Interviewing Skills

Since this is a full-time gig, hiring managers will want to see your interviewing prowess. Prepare for mock interview scenarios where you might need to assess candidates' cultural fit and skill set. Practise asking competency-based questions to demonstrate your systematic approach.

Engage with Data and Metrics

Being data-driven is key in talent acquisition! Expect to discuss how you’ve used recruiting metrics to refine your strategies. Familiarise yourself with common KPIs, like time-to-fill and candidate satisfaction scores, and be ready to back up your insights with data!