Executive Search Researcher

JJob Title: Executive Search Researcher

Department: Executive Talent Acquisition

Level: Associate

Location: New York, NY (Hybrid) or Jacksonville, FL

Position Overview

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.

As part of Robert Walters’ commitment to providing world-class recruitment solutions, you will act as a trusted advisor to the client, leveraging your expertise in executive search to identify and engage exceptional candidates for MD-level and board-level roles. This position requires strong analytical abilities, excellent communication skills, and a passion for delivering results in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

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.

Qualifications

Required:

• 2–6 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 (e.g., Workday or Taleo) 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.

Why Join Us?

At Robert Walters:

We are pioneers in delivering innovative recruitment solutions through our RPO model—partnering closely with clients onsite to attract top-tier talent that drives their success forward. As part of our Executive Talent Acquisition team:

• You’ll work directly onsite with a leading financial services organization on impactful projects that shape their leadership teams globally.
• The role is available in New York, NY (Hybrid) with a fixed pay range of $80,000 – $110,000, and in Jacksonville, FL with a fixed pay range of $60,000 – $90,000.
• You’ll have access to professional development opportunities tailored to your career growth.
• You’ll be part of a collaborative culture that values diversity of thought while fostering excellence.