Senior Associate, Consumer Practice (Retail, Direct to Consumer, Apparel & Luxury Goods)

Spencer Stuart•New York, NY

5d•$150,000 - $170,000

About The Position

Spencer Stuart is seeking a Senior Associate for its Consumer Practice, supporting executive search and leadership advisory work in the retail, direct-to-consumer, apparel, and luxury goods sectors. The role partners with core Consultants on CEO, Board Director, and other C-level functional executive searches. Senior Associates take ownership of multiple search or assessment/advisory engagements, applying project management, industry or functional expertise, judgment, assessment skills, and a commitment to high-quality delivery. They identify and assess executive candidates, validate their qualifications, and prepare insightful client-ready documentation. The position involves regular interaction with clients, candidates, senior executives, and board members, and contributes expertise to candidate and client discussions. The role is ideally based in New York, Stamford, or San Francisco. Senior Associates build recognized expertise in an industry, function, or geographic candidate pool and contribute to knowledge management and business development. They help shape search and assessment strategies, coordinate resources, meet timelines, prepare position specifications and proposals, assess candidates, develop reports and presentations, and support reference-taking when appropriate. They participate in client briefings and meetings, maintain dialogue with clients and candidates, and prepare progress-report information. They also contribute to the office, practice, region, and Firm, support colleagues’ development, maintain accurate engagement information in Quest, and adhere to Firm policies and standards for candidate validation, documentation, and assessment. The role calls for strong project management, candidate development, communication, credibility, market knowledge, business and organizational acumen, collaboration, and a commitment to developing self and others and upholding Firm values. Total compensation includes a discretionary performance-based bonus and healthcare benefits. The base salary range is $150,000–$170,000.

Requirements

Progressive Associate or Associate-equivalent experience in executive search, leadership advisory, or another professional services environment.
Established domain or subject-matter expertise; consumer, retail, or an adjacent industry is especially relevant.
Experience managing a high volume of concurrent projects and competing deadlines while delivering high-quality outcomes with urgency.
Ability to take ownership and work independently, shape project direction, create structure from ambiguity, and step into leadership with clients and internal teams.
Experience preparing client-facing deliverables, presentations, assessments, or reports for senior executive audiences, with exposure to client discussions and presenting findings or recommendations.
Evidence of strong performance through successful outcomes, increased responsibility, title progression, project leadership, or selection for complex assignments.
Experience building trusted working relationships with senior stakeholders, clients, candidates, and colleagues across functions, geographies, or teams.
Experience contributing beyond core project work, such as mentoring, practice initiatives, business development, or internal firm efforts.
Fluency in written and spoken English.
Undergraduate degree required.
Strong project management, time management, accountability, initiative, problem-solving, judgment, communication, relationship-building, and assessment capabilities.

Nice To Haves

International, cross-border, or globally oriented project experience.
Additional language skills.
Postgraduate degree.
Domain expertise in consumer, retail, or an adjacent industry.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain expertise in an industry, function, or geographic candidate pool; contribute to knowledge management and qualifications packages.
Own search or leadership advisory engagements, define strategies, coordinate resources, manage timelines, and oversee assignment information.
Assist with position specifications and proposals following client briefings.
Identify and develop executive prospects through sourcing, third-party calls, and thorough assessment of experience and capabilities.
Co-interview candidates or assessment participants with Consultants and prepare candidate presentations or assessment and development reports.
Participate in formal reference-taking for final candidates when appropriate and under a Consultant’s guidance.
Participate in client briefings and meetings, contribute market and subject-matter insight, and help develop engagement strategies.
Liaise with clients and maintain communication with candidates or participants throughout engagements.
Prepare information for client progress reports and meetings in coordination with Consultants and Executive Assistants.
Keep assignment, company, and candidate or participant information up to date in Quest for colleagues.
Contribute to practice, office, regional, and Firm initiatives, including business development, knowledge sharing, marketing, and other activities.
Develop self and others through learning initiatives, mentoring, and relevant projects.
Follow Firm policies and standards for candidate validation, documentation, and assessment, and demonstrate professional conduct consistent with Firm values.