Executive Search Senior Associate, Industrial

Heidrick & Struggles•Houston, TX

About The Position

Heidrick & Struggles’ Executive Search Senior Associates support and drive the executive recruiting lifecycle, working closely with Search Partners and Principals. They help develop search strategies and manage their execution, identify and assess prospective candidates, build qualified candidate pipelines, and guide candidate relationships through placement. The role also includes client relationship support, exposure to business development, and collaboration with colleagues across the firm and around the globe. Senior Associates research industries, executive roles, and functions while receiving mentorship and professional development in an apprenticeship-style environment. The position offers significant responsibility, visibility, and a defined career path. Senior Associates develop position specifications, conduct company and industry research, map executive talent markets, and prepare business development materials. They contact and interview candidates, assess their fit, write candidate evaluations, present candidates to clients, and keep consultants informed of search progress. They help maintain client and candidate relationships, uphold the accuracy and integrity of search information, prepare status and client-ready reports, and manage multiple concurrent projects while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and ethical standards. The role requires an undergraduate degree and either 4–6 years of professional experience or at least 3 years of transferable recruiting experience. Prior full-cycle recruiting, executive or contingent search, in-house talent acquisition, or other experience applying sales and research skills is preferred. The salary range is $100,000–$125,000, with discretionary bonuses subject to eligibility and a comprehensive benefits package. Compensation may vary by location and is based on factors including education, experience, and skills. Heidrick & Struggles is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations during recruitment.

Requirements

4–6 years of professional experience or a minimum of 3 years of transferable recruiting experience.
Undergraduate BA/BS degree.
Strong professional communication skills, including writing, articulating, and delivering information confidently and effectively.
Ability to collaborate with external clients and candidates, influence others, and foster productive partnerships.

Nice To Haves

Prior full-cycle recruiting experience in Executive Search, Contingent Search, or In-House Talent Acquisition, or in another industry requiring applied sales and research skills.
Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work across teams.
Experience targeting potential candidates and developing pitch materials.
Experience identifying market trends and researching information through various channels.
Ability to analyze, organize, and synthesize large volumes of information into insights.
Demonstrated skill in building and maintaining relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders.
Experience using Salesforce or another CRM.

Responsibilities

Develop position specifications and search strategies in partnership with the Consultant.
Research industries and client companies, map executive talent, and provide market insights to Consultants and clients.
Assist Consultants in preparing business development materials for prospective and current clients.
Contact prospective candidates to discuss client opportunities, obtain referrals, and gather market intelligence and feedback.
Conduct in-depth candidate interviews and assess qualifications and fit against position specifications.
Write candidate assessments and present candidates to clients.
Manage candidate relationships throughout the search lifecycle and keep the Consultant informed of candidate updates.
Contribute to client relationship management with the Consultant.
Collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders across the firm and contribute to a productive, trusting team environment.
Contribute to firm, practice, or office initiatives as a culture carrier.
Maintain accurate, high-quality, and integral search information in internal and external research tools.
Prepare status reports and client-ready reports for internal and external presentation.
Manage multiple concurrent projects and deliver high-quality work on time.
Act with professionalism, confidentiality, and ethics, and persist through challenges while doing the right thing.