Associate, Leadership Advisory Services

Spencer Stuart•Chicago, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate is the operational lead on Leadership Advisory Services (LAS) engagements and a genuine thought partner in the advisory process. Associates transform leadership data into business-relevant insights, identifying patterns in people and teams, determining what those patterns mean for organizational outcomes, and communicating those implications to help clients make better talent decisions. Associates own workstreams end-to-end, driving the project plan, conducting interviews and assessments, synthesizing data, writing reports and client materials, and keeping engagements moving. They partner closely with Consultants, who own the client relationship and final deliverable, while taking accountability for quality, pace, and client experience. This role offers meaningful ownership within an apprenticeship model, where Associates build credibility, judgment, and client exposure over time, with responsibility growing as credibility is earned.

Requirements

Generally four or more years of relevant professional experience in leadership advisory, executive assessment, management or strategy consulting, organizational development, human capital or talent management, or a relevant industry role.
Undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
Superior business writing skills, evidenced through project work or a writing sample provided on request.
Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative information into clear, evidence-based insight.
Strong project management and organizational skills, with a track record of managing multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
General business acumen developed through exposure to a range of business situations and contexts.
Executive presence and interpersonal effectiveness; comfort interacting with senior leaders.
Client deliverables are written in English; superior English business writing is an essential function of the role.
Work authorization for the country in which you are applying.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree (for example, in organizational psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, business or a related field) is helpful but not required; relevant professional experience can substitute.
Additional languages are an advantage.

Responsibilities

Synthesize qualitative and quantitative data from interviews, assessments, diagnostics, and secondary research to identify themes, insights, and implications.
Write and own client deliverables, including Advanced Leadership Profile (ALP) and Leadership Profile (LP) assessment reports, group and comparison reports, culture and team diagnostic outputs, board materials, workshop decks, and executive summaries.
Draft assessment components independently, such as Individual Style Profile (ISP), 360, capabilities, strengths and development opportunities, and summary pages; over time, contribute Executive Intelligence (ExI) insights.
Connect leadership insight to business context, company performance, value creation, role requirements, and the risks and opportunities facing the client.
Conduct and support executive and stakeholder interviews; lead, co-lead, or participate in assessments depending on the Solution, engagement, and Consultant.
Conduct 360 reference interviews and synthesize input into balanced, evidence-based summaries.
Lead internal calibration calls and contribute an informed, data-backed point of view on scoring and conclusions.
Participate in client debriefs, workshops, and readouts; over time, debrief participants and lead segments of client sessions.
Administer proprietary leadership advisory tools and diagnostics (ISP, culture, team effectiveness, and related instruments) in partnership with the Consultant, and analyze the resulting data.
Represent the Firm with professionalism, maturity, and poise in written, verbal, virtual, and in-person settings, and handle confidential information with discretion.
Own the project plan and timeline end-to-end; organize and facilitate team touchpoints, including kick-offs, check-ins, and project recaps.
Serve as a day-to-day point of contact for the client alongside the Consultant, and draft client and stakeholder communications.
Organize and distribute work across the engagement team, clarify roles, and hold the team accountable to deadlines.
Anticipate client, Consultant, and team needs; identify risks early, escalate appropriately, and propose a path forward.
Synthesize client meetings, board interactions, and workshops into clear themes, decisions, and next steps.
Manage several engagements at once across time zones and competing deadlines, and maintain capacity tracker accurately.
Use AI-enabled tools thoughtfully to improve efficiency in research, drafting, and summarization, always validating sources and conclusions, exercising judgment around client data and confidentiality, and retaining human accountability.
Guide Analysts on first-draft documents, provide examples and standards, and give timely, constructive feedback.
Serve as an onboarding or apprenticeship mentor to new colleagues and contribute to their integration.
Contribute to Solution and intellectual capital development, case studies, best practices, and internal tools.
Build relationships with Executive Search colleagues and help them understand where LAS can add value for their clients.
Occasionally support business development, contributing to qualifications decks, proposal materials, and background research.

Benefits

Retirement savings plan with discretionary profit sharing contribution and employer match
PTO (minimum 15 days per year, increases with tenure)
Paid sick time (10 days per year)
Company holidays (12 days per year)
Paid leaves of absence when applicable
Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance
Healthcare flexible spending account
Life Insurance
Short-term and long-term disability insurance
Wellness benefits, including an employee assistance program, virtual mental health program, and mindfulness program
Voluntary benefit options, including supplemental life insurance, identity theft protection, and whole life insurance with long-term care and critical illness coverage.