Associate - Executive Search in Cheshire, Warrington

At ODM Partners, we help shape the leadership teams driving the energy transition and infrastructure investment. As an Associate, you will play a key role in the search process, researching markets, engaging high-calibre talent, and supporting the delivery of board and C-suite mandates. This is a role for someone in the early stages of their professional career who wants to build a long-term career in executive search.

It will suit someone who is ambitious, intellectually curious and commercially aware, but also patient, detail-focused and comfortable doing the thoughtful research and follow-through that high-quality search work requires. It may particularly appeal to someone who wants to work in a leaner, more entrepreneurial professional services environment, closer to senior decision-making and client conversations.

Executive search is a professional services discipline. The work is often nuanced and research-led. It involves understanding markets, assessing people carefully, building trust with senior candidates and supporting complex processes with accuracy and judgement. For someone with the right drive and standards, it offers early exposure, meaningful responsibility and a clear path to progression.

What You’ll Do

• Research & map markets: build structured, insight-led talent maps, developing a deep understanding of companies, leadership teams, market movements and industry trends.
• Engage with candidates: lead first-round conversations with senior candidates, understand their motivations, and represent opportunities with professionalism & credibility.
• Support high-quality delivery: coordinate interviews, manage process flow, capture feedback and maintain clear communication with candidates, clients and internal stakeholders.
• Take ownership of search workstreams: take responsibility for defined areas of live mandates, ensuring research is thorough, information is accurate and momentum is maintained throughout the process.
• Develop market insight: use data, research and conversations to identify patterns, track talent and spot future opportunities.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone with the ambition to grow, but also the discipline and judgement to succeed in a professional services environment. You will likely bring:

• High personal standards, strong work ethic and a desire to build something;
• Analytical ability, intellectual curiosity and an interest in business, people and markets;
• Clear, confident communication and the ability to engage professionally with senior individuals;
• Patience, concentration and attention to detail;
• Commercial awareness and the ability to balance quality with delivery;
• Ownership, resilience and a willingness to learn quickly;
• A desire to work in a lean, entrepreneurial professional services environment, where you are not many layers removed from decisions, client engagement or the impact of your work;
• Motivation to progress through consistent performance, judgement and impact.

Previous experience in executive search, professional services, or another commercially focused environment may be helpful, but attitude and potential are just as important.

Why ODM Partners

• Professional services environment: We take a thoughtful, rigorous approach to executive search. Our work is research-led, relationship-driven and focused on quality outcomes.
• Early exposure: You will work closely with our Partners on live mandates and client projects from day one, gaining insight into senior leadership, investment and market dynamics across energy and infrastructure.
• Growth opportunity: As a scaling business, we offer genuine headroom to grow into an integral member of the team.
• Clear development path: You will have a structured pathway to Senior Associate and beyond, supported by training, mentorship and direct feedback.
• Performance-driven progression: Progression is based on quality, consistency, ownership and impact. High performers will have the opportunity to grow quickly.
• Collaborative culture: We are ambitious but grounded, supportive rather than hierarchical, and focused on building a high-quality business over the long term.
• Purposeful work: Every search helps build leadership in the global energy transition and infrastructure investment markets.

This role would suit someone who is ambitious, curious and commercially minded, with the patience and discipline to do detailed work well, and the drive to turn that foundation into a standout career in executive search.