Graduate Research Assistant in Dunfermline

Location: Central Edinburgh

Salary: £26.5k + bonuses

Start Date: ASAP

Sector: Executive Search/ Executive Recruitment

Entry level role - no experience required.

Candidates on Graduate Visas unfortunately cannot be considered.

If you are a smart, ambitious, curious and commercially minded Graduate, seeking your first career role with a well-established and respected Executive Search firm in Edinburgh, this is the role for you.

Executive Search sits at the intersection of consultancy and recruitment. It is the industry that manages the sourcing and recruiting of the most senior and highly skilled individuals for organisations around the world. Working closely with businesses across a variety of sectors, their expertise is used to provide deep market research, trend analysis, salary benchmarking and networking to align businesses with the best talent in the industry. You don't need any experience in the sector, just the right competencies and attitude; everything else will be taught on the job!

More About the Business

Based in the heart of Edinburgh, my client partners with some of the leading brands and businesses across the UK, from Scottish Rugby to Investment Banks, engaging with Board Members and C-Suite Executives to provide strategic guidance on their hiring plans and source the best talent in the country. They pride themselves on their high level delivery and the deep and sustained relationships that they foster with their clients.

The Role: Graduate Research Assistant

You will be joining an established high-performing Research Team which forms a critical part of the business's service offering. You will be in a highly visible role both internally and externally.

Research Assistants are involved in assisting through the end-to-end Search process from briefing stage (meeting with the client to understand their hiring needs) to completion of the assignment (filling the role) and have the opportunity to work across all business areas. Working in conjunction with the Commercial team, you will be actively contributing to the delivery of high-quality candidate searches, market mapping, designing creative role briefs and producing client reports.

My client has run a successful graduate programme for a number of years now and you will be given full training and mentoring, supported by everyone in the business, including the previous year's grads.

Key Responsibilities

• Market Intelligence & Analysis: Undertake desk-based research, using the CRM and online resources such as LinkedIn and Companies House, for market mapping exercises. Compile market insight reporting including on target companies, remuneration benchmarking and key competitors. Research the full competitor landscape for strategic recruitment purposes.
• Business Development: Collate research for the Commercial Team in regard to pitch preparation. Assist with the preparation of Proposal documents.
• Briefing: Attend client briefings, initially with a senior member of the research team, and support on the production of a detailed candidate role specification.
• Candidate Mapping & Talent Identification: Carry out phone and desk-based research to identify and qualify candidates for retained Searches and research exercises. Sit in on candidate interviews and support in the production of Candidate Reports for Shortlisting. Conduct candidate screening calls against the client's criteria for the role.
• Reporting: Assist senior members of the Research Team in the production of high-quality documentation such as Proposals and Candidate Briefs and Search Reporting. Proof-read and edit documentation produced by Principals, Partners and fellow researchers.
• Assignment Administration: Ongoing maintenance of the CRM by capturing accurate candidate and market data and administration of the Search process. Manage client and candidate liaison and logistics, including sending out specifications and reports and scheduling interviews.
• Other: Contribute to wider commercial and team initiatives through various project ‘pods’ e.g. for charities, events or improved ways of working.

The Ideal Candidate:

My client is looking for someone who complements and can add to the strong values and culture that they have cultivated within the team. You must be smart, motivated, confident and able to strike a balance between deep research and focus on independent projects yet also be comfortable speaking with very senior clients, candidates and colleagues, and upholding the brand standards in professional settings.

• Enthusiasm: for learning from, and ultimately adding to, the dynamic team environment and continuing to uphold an acute attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
• Curiosity: a penchant for seeking out new experiences, knowledge and feedback.
• Entrepreneurial: hunger to continuously improve through leading new business initiatives that contribute to continued business success and growth.
• Detailed: sharp attention to detail with a systematic approach to managing and prioritising actions and projects.
• Exceptional Communicator: the ability to interact in a compelling and confident manner and be comfortable engaging with senior contacts, clients and internal stakeholders over the phone and in face-to-face meetings.
• Insight: the ability to gather and make sense of information that suggests new possibilities.
• Engaging: a natural ability for using emotion and logic to communicate a persuasive vision and connect with people. People-oriented, with demonstrable experience of collaboration and teamwork.
• Determination: striving for excellence and acting with resilience to overcome challenges that arise.
• Confident: you must be able to hold your own with very senior stakeholders and be comfortable making suggestions and asking questions.
• Creative: Part of the role is producing attractive collateral for candidates and clients using tools such as PowerPoint and Canva; creative flair is a benefit.

A 2:1 or above from a reputable university. Able to commute to near Princess Street. Hold a UK passport or citizenship.

Logistics:

The role is based in central Edinburgh a short walk from Princess Street. You must have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship. Start date: ASAP but Flexible. Salary: £26,500 base salary + Commission/ Bonuses.

Interview process: 4 stages Screening Call, Assessment, Video Interview, Written task and an onsite presentation to the Senior Leadership Team.

Due to an incredibly high volume of applicants, only successful candidates will be contacted. You can also apply via email with the subject line: Edinburgh Research Role.

Thank you for your interest and we look forward to speaking further.