Senior Recruitment Specialist/US market in London

We are partnering with a high-performing, values-led SME recruitment business that is scaling its US-facing capability and is now looking to appoint a proven recruitment professional with deep knowledge of the US finance market, particularly across Private Equity–backed businesses and Commerce & Industry.

This is a core, business-critical hire, not a backfill, not a “bums on seats” role. The successful individual will step into a warm desk with live, engaged US clients, while also having the autonomy and support to build and own their market long-term.

If you are fed up with rigid KPIs, micromanagement, and short-term thinking, and want to work in an environment that values delivery, trust, and grown-up conversations, this role is designed for you.

The Role

You will take ownership of a US-focused recruitment desk, primarily covering senior finance appointments into Private Equity-backed and Commerce & Industry businesses. While the immediate focus is Chicago and Florida, there is genuine scope to expand across other US regions and adjacent white-collar sectors, provided you bring strong commercial awareness and a solid understanding of how the US market operates.

This is a 360 role with a heavy emphasis on:

• High-quality client relationships
• Senior-level delivery
• Strategic business development (not volume cold-calling)

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and grow a warm US client base, with immediate revenue potential
• Deliver senior finance hires including: Financial Controller, VP Finance, Head of Finance, CFO, FP&A leadership roles
• Develop new business across Chicago, Florida, and wider US markets
• Act as a trusted advisor to PE-backed and C&I clients
• Run full recruitment processes end-to-end (role scoping, search, shortlist, offer management)
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the US desk
• Mentor or support junior team members as the desk grows (if desired)

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• Minimum 3+ years’ experience in agency recruitment
• Proven experience working the US market from the UK
• Strong track record placing senior finance professionals
• Background in Private Equity and/or Commerce & Industry
• Evidence of consistent billing performance
• Comfortable operating autonomously and commercially

Desirable

• Experience covering Chicago and/or Florida markets
• Exposure to retained or exclusive assignments
• Player/manager experience or leadership aspirations
• Experience recruiting into other white-collar US sectors (e.g. tech, ops, commercial leadership)

The Culture & Environment

This business is built on trust, quality, and long-term relationships, not vanity metrics. No aggressive KPI culture, no pointless call stats, no micromanagement. Instead, you’ll find:

• A grown-up, high-performance environment
• Strong operational and delivery support
• Flexibility in how you run your desk
• A leadership team that genuinely backs its people

This is a place where good recruiters are left to recruit.

What’s On Offer

• Warm desk with live US clients
• Competitive base salary + strong, uncapped commission
• Clear progression into leadership or desk ownership
• Long-term opportunity within a scaling SME
• Autonomy, flexibility, and genuine work-life balance
• The chance to build something meaningful, not just hit a number

Who This Role Is Perfect For

• A high-performing recruiter feeling boxed in by KPIs
• A US market specialist who wants ownership and influence
• A biller ready to step into a lead role within an SME
• Someone who values culture, credibility, and quality delivery