Executive Search Consultant | Principal Consultant | Associate Partner

Executive Search Consultant | Principal Consultant | Associate Partner

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Permanent People Rec2Rec

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Win and deliver executive search assignments while building relationships with senior stakeholders.
  • Company: Join a respected executive search firm with a strong reputation in the market.
  • Benefits: Strong earning potential, clear career progression, and access to high-profile clients.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for strategic impact and growth.
  • Why this job: Become a trusted advisor and influence the future of major organisations.
  • Qualifications: Experience in executive search or high-performing recruitment roles is preferred.

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

Permanent People is partnering with a highly respected executive search firm that works exclusively on retained assignments, supporting FTSE 350 businesses, major public sector organisations and some of the UK's most recognisable brands with senior leadership appointments.

As part of continued growth, they're looking to hire experienced search and recruitment professionals at Consultant, Principal Consultant and Associate Partner level.

The Opportunity

You’ll join an established and well-connected team, delivering senior-level appointments across one of the following sectors:

  • Consumer & Retail
  • Local & Central Government
  • Infrastructure (Rail, Airports & Transport)
  • Human Resources

Assignments are exclusively retained, with typical fee values ranging from £25,000 to £35,000+ and often involve hiring leadership talent that shapes the future direction of major organisations. This is a genuine opportunity to operate as a trusted advisor rather than a transactional recruiter.

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Winning and delivering retained executive search assignments
  • Building relationships with senior stakeholders and leadership teams
  • Advising clients on market trends, talent strategy and succession planning
  • Developing new business opportunities within your chosen sector
  • Managing executive search projects from brief through to completion
  • Engaging and assessing senior leadership and board-level talent
  • Building long-term client partnerships rather than focusing on one-off placements

Who We’re Looking For

We’re open to individuals from executive search, retained recruitment or high-performing contingent recruitment backgrounds. You might currently be:

  • An Executive Search Consultant
  • Associate Partner
  • Senior Recruitment Consultant
  • Recruitment Manager
  • Sector Specialist operating at mid-to-senior level

Most importantly, you’ll be able to demonstrate:

  • A strong billing track record (typically £250k+)
  • Experience building and managing client relationships
  • Credibility with senior stakeholders
  • A consultative approach to recruitment
  • Ambition to operate in a retained search environment

Previous executive search experience would be advantageous, but exceptional recruiters from contingent markets who can demonstrate quality, commerciality and relationship-building skills will also be considered.

Why Join?

  • Work exclusively on retained assignments
  • Access to FTSE 350 and high-profile public sector clients
  • Average fees of £25,000-£35,000+
  • Strong earning potential with consultants typically earning around one-third of the revenue they generate
  • A great stepping stone in your executive search career
  • Established brand with an exceptional reputation in the market
  • High-quality, collaborative culture
  • Clear progression from Consultant through to Associate Partner and beyond
  • Opportunity to become a genuine trusted advisor within your sector

This is an ideal opportunity for ambitious recruiters who enjoy winning business, influencing senior stakeholders and operating at a more strategic level.

Please contact Paul @ Permanent People for more information.

Executive Search Consultant | Principal Consultant | Associate Partner employer: Permanent People Rec2Rec

Join a highly respected executive search firm in London, where you'll work exclusively on retained assignments for FTSE 350 businesses and major public sector organisations. With a strong focus on collaboration and professional growth, this company offers exceptional earning potential and clear progression opportunities, allowing you to become a trusted advisor in your sector while enjoying a supportive and high-quality work culture.

Permanent People Rec2Rec

Contact Details:

Permanent People Rec2Rec Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Executive Search Consultant | Principal Consultant | Associate Partner

Dive into the Talent Acquisition Community

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We think you need these skills to ace Executive Search Consultant | Principal Consultant | Associate Partner

Executive Search
Client Relationship Management
Consultative Recruitment
Business Development
Stakeholder Engagement
Market Trend Analysis
Talent Strategy

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 Permanent People Rec2Rec 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 | Principal Consultant | Associate Partner at Permanent People Rec2Rec, 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 Permanent People Rec2Rec

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 Permanent People Rec2Rec 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!