Executive Search Practice Lead in London

Salary: DoE (Competitive Basic + Commission + Share Options)

Hybrid role: At least 1 day a week at our office in London with travel to meet clients and prospects.

Instant Impact helps organisations turn talent into a competitive advantage. Embedding capability, not outsourcing responsibility. Our model replaces fragmented recruitment with integrated talent engines that build performance, pace, and long-term strength inside the business.

Our Solutions:

• The Embedded Talent Engine (RPO): Our RPO embeds expert talent teams into organisations, supported by AI-powered technology, to build high-performing people functions and deliver consistent, scalable hiring outcomes.
• Impact X Executive Search: Impact X is our executive search capability, connecting organisations with senior leaders and specialist talent who can drive meaningful change and sustainable growth.

Why this role matters

Impact X is on a mission to redefine what exceptional Exec Search looks like. As a relatively new entrant to a crowded Exec Search market, we know differentiation is everything. This role puts you in the driver's seat to define what Impact X stands for, how we show up, and how we win. We're looking for a trailblazing leader to work with us to build an innovative approach to search powered by technology, creativity, and deep expertise.

There are 2 core focus areas:

• Elevating People Functions: we have built an incredibly strong network of People Leaders and believe we're well placed to support Private Equity portfolio companies (and mid-sized firms more broadly) in elevating their people functions both by hiring permanent CPOs and by providing short-term senior expertise in areas ranging from AI Transformation to workforce planning.
• Servicing our RPO clients' Exec Search needs and using that as a springboard to open up new industry / role verticals. The immediate priority here is Partner hiring for law firms.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Build a market‐leading Exec Search offering
• Design and own the Impact X strategy, positioning and differentiation.
• Disrupt traditional Exec Search by testing new approaches, leveraging AI and technology, and constantly iterating for better performance.
• Shape how we go to market and how our clients experience a modern search partnership.
• Turbocharge commercial and delivery performance
• Lead the charge on winning and delivering senior‐level searches.
• Build, coach, and scale a high‐performing team around you.
• Set ambitious targets—and consistently exceed them.
• Fuel RPO growth with your network and insight
• Work closely with the Chief Growth Officer and Chief Marketing Officer to turn Exec Search activity into high‐quality RPO opportunities.
• Lead and expand an HR Associate Network to support long‐term strategic growth.

What You Need to Bring

• A track record of Exec Search excellence: You’re a proven top performer with the energy and ambition to take on something new. We value potential and mindset over years served.
• A powerful network in Private Equity or HR (ideally both): Your relationships open doors. You understand the ecosystem and can leverage it commercially.
• You thrive doing the work and leading others. You want the autonomy and accountability that come with owning a P&L and a team.
• You’re excited by the challenge of building, running and scaling your own business unit as part of a bigger mission.
• Innovation at your core: You’re curious, creative, and passionate about the role technology and AI can play in transforming the search experience.
• A hunger to learn, iterate and grow: You bring a growth mindset, always looking for ways to improve, experiment and get better.

A start-up opportunity with the backing of a successful, fast‐growing organisation

• Ownership of strategy, delivery and team building
• The chance to create a disruptive, tech‐enabled Exec Search offering
• A culture that embraces innovation, experimentation and learning
• Clear commercial upside and visibility at senior leadership level

This role is perfect for someone who is ready to step out of the traditional Exec Search mould and build something genuinely different.

What we can offer you in return

• Share Options: Enrolled in our share options scheme, rewarding our team as we work towards our ambitious goals in 2026 and beyond.
• Work from Anywhere: Embrace ultimate flexibility with our policy that lets you work from anywhere in the world for up to 4 weeks each year.
• Home Office Boost: Get your home office set up just right with a £200 allowance.
• Invest in You: Take advantage of a £500 annual allowance dedicated to your personal development and growth.
• Generous Time Off: Recharge with 25 days of holiday, plus Bank Holidays, an Employee Enrichment Day, and a special Recharge Day each year.
• Clear Career Path: Know where you’re headed with our transparent progression structure.
• Flexible Working: Whether you prefer the comfort of home or the buzz of working onsite with clients, our flexible model supports your choice.
• Team Fun: Bond with your team through exciting incentives like weekend getaways, fun socials, and team lunches.
• Self-Development Time: Dedicate 10% of your working week to developing yourself, your client, and our company, Instant Impact.

At Instant Impact, everyone is welcome. We are committed to maintaining and growing our diverse and dynamic team and the inclusive culture we have built. We encourage everyone to bring their authentic selves to work regardless of age, sexuality, religion, disability, pronouns, neurodiversity, gender, ethnic group, or beliefs. Instant Impact is actively seeking to hire a diverse workforce so we can continue to celebrate inclusion and diversity in its full. Should you need any reasonable adjustments made to this application process, or need this job advert in different formatting, please do not hesitate to contact us.