Research Consultant - Technology Practice

Modern Executive Solutions

6d•$90,000 - $105,000•Remote

About The Position

The Associate Director leads core components of retained executive searches within our Technology Practice. This is a research-led role including candidate first-round interviews. You are responsible for defining the target market, executing rigorous market mapping, building accurate and high-quality pipelines, and engaging candidates directly through structured first-stage interviews. You contribute to candidate assessment discussions and slate development. Associate Directors typically manage ~5 concurrent retained searches. Searches are typically staffed with a three-person team. Most often, this includes a Senior Partner, a Managing Director (or Senior Director), and an Associate Director. In some cases, the team may consist of a Partner, a Senior Director, and an Associate Director. As the Associate Director, you lead research and market mapping and conduct first-round candidate interviews and early-stage candidate development. You work directly with senior leadership on search strategy, target identification, and candidate evaluation. Because teams are small and accountability is clear, scope and responsibility are visible. Progression from Associate Director to Director is based on demonstrated capability and readiness rather than tenure, and can occur more quickly than in larger, more layered search firms where advancement is often tied to structure or time in seat.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to manage ~5 concurrent retained searches with consistent quality and pace (approximately 12+ searches annually)
Proven strength in research strategy and systematic market mapping
Track record of building accurate target company lists and candidate pipelines, achieving 80%+ mapping accuracy
Experience conducting first-round candidate interviews and contributing to structured candidate assessment
Ability to independently draft client-ready materials with minimal edits
Strong discipline in maintaining accurate search workflow within an ATS
Experience supporting VP, SVP, or C-suite searches
Rigor in market mapping, structured candidate assessment, and executive-level engagement

Nice To Haves

Technology search experience is helpful but not required.
Outstanding researchers from retained executive search firms with a strong interest in building depth within technology leadership markets.
Executive search researchers or executive recruiters from in-house executive recruiting teams supporting VP, SVP, or C-suite hiring within technology companies or large, complex enterprises (e.g., Fortune 500 organizations).
Executive-level technical recruiters who have experience engaging senior technology leaders.

Responsibilities

Lead research strategy, including systematic market mapping and target company identification
Build and maintain high-quality candidate pipelines
Achieve 80%+ mapping accuracy through disciplined and creative sourcing methods
Conduct first-round candidate interviews
Contribute to structured candidate assessment and slate construction
Produce client-ready candidate summaries and search materials
Maintain disciplined search workflow and data integrity