Leadership Advisory Services, Executive Search Researcher

About the role

The Leadership Advisory Services (LAS) Researcher will leverage deep domain knowledge to execute a diverse range of leadership and talent consulting projects. This role involves partnering with LAS team members and client teams across industries and functions to sell and deliver leadership advisory work. The Researcher will develop complex business development presentations requiring innovative thinking and will work autonomously alongside senior consultants on client mandates. Responsibilities may include leading a project workstream, managing teams, or executing assessments, with a focus on sophisticated interviewing and thought leadership. The role requires mature, collaborative client interactions and may involve both individual contributions and team leadership, depending on project needs. There are no formal direct reports.

We provide a comprehensive onboarding and training program for every new hire, including formal mentors within the Leadership Advisory team and the local office. Travel is expected to account for 10-30% of time, primarily to internal or client sites, with schedules known well in advance.

Responsibilities

• Drive the implementation of solutions alongside consultants, sometimes serving as the primary client contact.
• Act as a thought partner to the team, developing high-quality, rigorous approaches for projects.
• Collaborate with global LAS team members to supplement expertise as needed.
• Support project execution through project management, assessment framework creation, and interpretation of psychometric results (post-accreditation).
• Lead client interactions throughout projects, including kick-off discussions, interviews, 360 references, feedback conversations, and presenting results.
• Partner with senior consultants on complex mandates.
• Participate in pitch meetings, driving elements of the agenda based on expertise.
• Leverage strategic insights to identify client needs and spot new business opportunities.
• Advise teams on pricing strategies to maximize profitability and quality.
• Once trained, lead calibration sessions, create summary analyses, conduct references, and deliver psychometric feedback.
• Continuously deepen expertise on leadership trends through internal and external research to maintain competitive effectiveness.
• Monitor market movements, company activity, and industry trends to identify business development opportunities and rally the team around actions.
• Conduct internal research for marketing materials, such as white papers or articles, with guidance from consultants and stakeholders.
• Partner with local and global leadership on key practice knowledge initiatives and knowledge sharing.
• Create awareness of Egon Zehnder’s capabilities and expertise within external communities through personal and industry networks.

Requirements

• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• Proven ability to build deep relationships and influence remotely.
• Highly effective interpersonal skills to facilitate collaboration with global colleagues and build trust-based relationships.
• Drive for learning and intellectual curiosity; seeks input from colleagues to find better solutions.
• Self-motivated, energetic, and tenacious.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and a fast-paced environment.
• Skilled in operating within a team environment.
• Strong project management skills, including defining objectives, goals, milestones, and stakeholder updates.
• Resourceful; asks questions and seeks input to improve solutions.
• Structured and systematic in approach.
• International and multicultural outlook and mindset.
• Proactive with the courage to challenge the status quo.
• Resilient with a “can-do” attitude.

About Egon Zehnder

Egon Zehnder is the world’s preeminent leadership advisory firm, helping leaders navigate complex challenges with human-centered solutions. We assist organizations in addressing leadership challenges by providing honest feedback and insights to help leaders realize their purpose. Our 560 consultants across 64 offices and 36 countries collaborate seamlessly to deliver tailored solutions for public and private corporations, family-owned enterprises, and non-profit and government agencies. Services include executive search, leadership solutions, CEO search and succession, and board advisory.

We believe that together, we can transform people, organizations, and the world through leadership.