Executive Search Researcher

What’s the overall purpose of the role?

Robert Walters is seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Executive Search Researcher to work onsite with one of our esteemed financial services clients. In this embedded role, you will collaborate closely with the client’s talent acquisition team to support senior-level hiring initiatives by conducting in-depth market research, sourcing top-tier executive talent, and delivering high-quality materials that drive decision-making at the highest levels.

What are the responsibilities & accountabilities?

• Candidate Sourcing & Market Mapping
• Conduct targeted sourcing for MD-level and board-level mandates across financial services verticals.
• Build and maintain detailed talent maps across peer institutions, competitor organizations, and adjacent industries to support proactive pipeline development.
• Identify and engage passive executive talent using LinkedIn Recruiter, executive search databases, and proprietary sourcing methodologies.
• Maintain organized and up-to-date candidate tracking across active searches and pipelines using best-in-class tools.
• Competitive Intelligence & Benchmarking
• Research organizational structures, leadership movements, and market trends at peer financial institutions to inform search strategies tailored to the client’s needs.
• Compile compensation benchmarking data and market intelligence to support offer positioning and candidate conversations.
• Monitor industry news, promotions, and executive moves to surface actionable insights for both internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Develop a repository of institutional knowledge to support ongoing mandates and future opportunities.
• Presentation Materials & Search Documentation
• Create polished candidate presentations, longlists, and shortlist packages for senior stakeholder review while adhering to both Robert Walters’ and the client’s brand standards of quality.
• Prepare pitch decks and position overviews for use in candidate outreach and search kickoff meetings with hiring managers.
• Draft position profiles, job briefs, and role summaries in collaboration with senior Relationship Managers (RMs) and business leaders.
• Produce progress reports, search status updates, and executive-ready materials for hiring managers and leadership audiences.
• Process & Project Coordination
• Coordinate interview scheduling, candidate communication workflows, and search logistics across multiple concurrent mandates with precision.
• Partner with RMs to manage search timelines, track deliverables, and ensure stakeholders are informed at all stages of the process.
• Maintain data integrity across ATS (Applicant Tracking System) platforms; assist with ad hoc reporting and analytics as needed.

Who you are:

• Required:
• 1–3 years of experience in executive search or talent acquisition; experience within an RPO or retained executive search firm strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in sourcing tools/methodologies such as LinkedIn Recruiter and executive search databases.
• Strong research skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear materials suitable for executive audiences.
• Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint or similar presentation tools; ability to design visually compelling documents with attention to detail.
• Excellent written/verbal communication skills; comfortable operating in a high-touch stakeholder-facing environment.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple searches/deliverables simultaneously under deadline pressure.
• High degree of discretion/professionalism when handling confidential executive-level information.
• Preferred:
• Experience supporting C-suite or MD-level searches within a global bank or retained executive search firm environment.
• Familiarity with ATS platforms and CRM/search management tools used in RPO settings.
• Experience producing compensation benchmarking analyses using third-party survey data or market sources relevant to financial services roles.
• Prior exposure to global TA/HR functions with matrix reporting structures.

Benefits:

• A unique opportunity to lead projects such as Employer Branding, Talent Pipelining, Recruitment Innovation, and Candidate Experience.
• A proven track record of high performance and the ability to consistently deliver excellent results is essential. In return for your dedication, you’ll receive a competitive top-tier salary along with a comprehensive benefits package.
• 401k.
• Private health insurance.
• An exceptional training and development program.
• Volunteer time off.
• The chance to participate in or qualify for our annual Global Incentive Weekend.
• Employee wellness supported through various programs.
• Numerous opportunities to advance your career, both within your country and internationally.