Trainee Associate in London

Korn Ferry is a global consulting firm that powers performance. We unlock the potential in your people and unleash transformation across your business - synchronizing strategy, operations, and talent to accelerate performance, fuel growth, and inspire a legacy of change. That’s why the world’s most forward-thinking companies across every major industry turn to us - for a shared commitment to lasting impact and the bold ambition to Be More.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, our over 9,000 colleagues globally serve clients in more than 50 countries. We offer five core capabilities that span the full talent lifecycle:

• Organizational Strategy
• Assessment and Succession
• Talent Acquisition
• Leadership Development
• Rewards and Benefits

The role of Associate/Senior Associate (Private Equity) is critical for the identification and development of candidates for executive search projects, as well as assisting with market intelligence and development of presentations and documents for business development purposes.

This Associate/Senior Associate role sits within the Executive Search Team based in the UK Office. This role will primarily focus on Private Equity search mandates.

Key Responsibilities Of The Role

Working closely with engagement teams which will include Research Associates, other Associates/Senior Associates and Consultants, the primary responsibilities of the Associate/Senior Associate are to:

• Provide engagement execution support to the client and the team.
• Manage the various stages of the search process to always ensure the highest quality execution of client engagement.
• Lead the identification, qualification and (at “level two” onward) communication with candidates during the search engagement and informing the consultant of progress and issues.
• Capture and maintain accurate market, client and candidate information on the company’s knowledge systems so as to both facilitate the search process and help convert business development opportunities.
• Inform the engagement team of any potential business development opportunities identified through the execution of the search process and support the appropriate consultant in its conversion.

Role Competencies And Success Factors

The Associate/Senior Associate position at Korn Ferry is viewed as a critical position in identifying, qualifying, attracting and managing candidates through the search process. Successful Associates/Senior Associates have the opportunity to advance within the firm to the consultant level, where they will be responsible for generating new business and revenue. Associates/Senior Associates will develop skills and competencies through three “levels” before being ready to progress within the firm.

These Levels Are

LEVEL ONE CRITICAL COMPETENCIES AND SUCCESS FACTORS:

• A “level one” Associate/Senior Associate has exposure to various parts of the search process, principally focusing on research:
• Participate in the creation of the source list/research strategy.
• Candidate Development: Mapping the market; calling/recruiting appropriate candidates; relevant market sourcing; preparing reports.
• Referencing: Limited exposure/input in referencing as directed by the Consultant.
• Data Capture: Collecting and entering appropriate information for the database; ensuring highest quality standards.
• Report Preparation: Assisting Consultant in creation of client facing documentation (candidate appraisals, reference reports, search progress reports).

Level Two Critical Competencies And Success Factors

• A “level two” Senior Associate has more exposure throughout the search and is expected to lead elements of the process, supporting the consultant. The role broadens out to focus on:
• Research: Create the source list/research strategy, for agreement with the Consultant/ Client.
• Candidate Development: Full responsibility for the generation of relevant candidates for the project.
• Candidate Management: Support the Consultant with communication and coordination with Candidates (with the aid of PC logistical support).
• Participation in interviews and referencing.
• Use of KF Assessment products to devise competencies for a role and learn to benchmark candidates against them.
• Report Preparation: Assist/lead the creation of client facing documentation.
• Client Participation: Involvement in project kick off meetings as well as project update/progress calls.
• Market/Centers of Expertise Participation: Expectation to be involved more broadly across the firm.
• International: Expectation to be involved in cross border search activity.

Success in this role will be measured by team members that the Senior Associate works with, as well as the local/regional Market(s) Leader.

Level Three Critical Competencies And Success Factors

• The “level three” Senior Associate is viewed as a high performer by the wider firm. They are expected to manage the search process for (multiple) Consultant(s) as well as supporting business development. A “level three” Senior Associate is expected to:
• Research: Lead/coordinate (managing Research Associates) the research process.
• Candidate Development: Lead candidate development across multiple projects.
• Teach/Support Research Associates to develop.
• Candidate Management: Support the Consultant with communication and coordination with Candidates (with the aid of PC logistical support).
• Participation in interviews and referencing.
• Experienced user of KF assessment products and have the ability to interpret assessment reports and benchmark against role competencies.
• Report Preparation: Lead and own the creation of reports; assist in writing the position spec and candidate reports.
• Client Participation: Business development support and participation. Involvement at kick off meetings; lead/support on progress calls and meetings.
• Market/Centers of Expertise Participation: Expectation to be involved more broadly across the firm.
• International: Expectation to be involved in cross border search activity.

By "Level three" Senior Associates will have the awareness and the proven ability to lead and complete a commercial transaction; this will involve the identification of the opportunity and an understanding of how to convert it into beneficial commercial terms.

Professional Experience/Qualifications

The successful candidate will have relevant Executive Search experience. In addition to having excellent communication skills, oral, written and listening, the candidate must possess the ability to make presentations at the executive levels of client companies. The ability to manage multiple projects effectively is most important. The ideal candidate must be self-confident and self-motivated, dynamic, accomplished, and viewed as an individual who can advance within Korn Ferry. Successful candidates will be highly motivated, have good judgment and possess superior interpersonal and evaluative skills. They will take direction well, be detail oriented and able to work well to tight deadlines. The Associate/Senior Associate will be as comfortable working independently as they are part of a team.

Education & Skills

An undergraduate degree or equivalent is required; an MBA or other advanced degree or equivalent is advantageous.

Korn Ferry may use AI as part of its recruitment process, but all hiring decisions are made by humans.

Korn Ferry is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.