Research Analyst

Research Analyst

Requisition ID


27323

Country


United States of America

Location type


Hybrid

State / Province


Illinois

City


Chicago

Application Deadline


14 August 2026


About Us


Korn Ferry is a global consulting firm that powers performance. We unlock the potential in your people and unleash transformation across your business - synchronizing strategy, operations, and talent to accelerate performance, fuel growth, and inspire a legacy of change. That's why the world's most forward-thinking companies across every major industry turn to us - for a shared commitment to lasting impact and the bold ambition to Be More Than.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, our over 9,000 colleagues globally serve clients in more than 50 countries. We offer five core capabilities that span the full talent lifecycle:

• Organizational Strategy
• Assessment and Succession
• Talent Acquisition
• Leadership Development
• Rewards and Benefits

Job description


The Research Analyst position marks the entry point for a uniquely powerful career development track - one that can truly lead anywhere. As one of us, you will have endless opportunities to innovate, make an impact, and work with the best. You will also have plenty of freedom to chart your own course, as you grow and develop with our business.

Talent matters at our company. So, we have created a colleague-centric culture where everyone can make an impact - on our business, on our clients' businesses, and on their own careers. Some of the things that make our culture special:

Creativity - We look to one another to generate innovative solutions, not only for our clients but also for ourselves.

Collaboration - We work in an open environment with a borderless mentality, sharing the expertise of our team members around the world.

Performance - We are committed to exceeding client expectations, so high performance levels are a given.

Inclusivity - We encourage everyone to contribute to the success of the business; there is no role at that is insignificant.

Integrity - We believe that how you go about business is as important as business results.

Agility - We work in a fast-moving, dynamic industry where change is the only constant and flexibility is key to our success.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary focus of the Research Analyst is supporting the practice in preparing for business development meetings and delivering on executive search projects. Typical job focus includes:

• Preparing company overviews for account teams
• Researching companies and developing target lists
• Identifying potential candidates from a variety of online and proprietary tools
• Calling companies to determine organization structure

A successful Research Analyst career path typically includes opportunities for promotion to Associate, which has extensive client contact and business development expectations. Career paths for successful candidates may also include a more senior Research position (e.g. "Knowledge Manager") for a sector or COE cluster.

Additional responsibilities for a Research Analyst may include:

Searcher ™ Data Quality Management and Entry: Consistently inputting and updating highly confidential candidate records in our proprietary Client Resource Management (CRM).

Business Development Support: Actively participating in designing the search and business development strategy with the Partner and Consultant; pro-active involvement as a valued team contributor throughout the search process from pitch to candidate development.

Candidate ID: Providing research in support of candidate identification and business development activities of the practice. Develops appropriate candidate "target" lists for Senior Associates using the phone, print materials and a wide range of online information resources.

Internal/External Call Participation: Attending and/or listening in on kick-off meetings, suggesting possible targets, and attending client briefings/meetings when possible; Attending or listening in on all applicable sector and practice meetings/calls.

Focus on Client and Candidate Service: Developing a full understanding of the search and the research needs of internal clients; Developing confidence and trust of both internal and external clients.

Market Intelligence: Teaming up on "proprietary" market intelligence projects in a Research Analyst sector and/or COE industry concentration; Proactively identifying and tracking organizational, industry, and/or functional trends and reporting findings.

YEAR ONE CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

Learn the researcher role and become an effective member of the search team.

Master ability to identify relevant candidate backgrounds from a variety of sources including:

• Searcher Express™ (proprietary candidate database)
• LinkedIn, Capital IQ, BoardEx, Pitchbook, ZoomInfo, etc.
• Industry associations and trade publications

Manage time effectively to simultaneously balance research requests from multiple search teams. Actively engage with colleagues of all levels to create a culture of transparency, collaboration, respect, execution, and professionalism.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

Intelligence and Intellectual Curiosity: Must be genuinely interested in learning about people, business and industry characteristics/needs. Need the ability to quickly learn industry fundamentals and understand criteria for success. Importantly, they must have a high "EQ" (Emotional [Maturity] Quotient). Need sufficient conceptual skills to understand broad industry concepts and analytical skills to "drill down" to determine depth of experience.

High Energy Level: Must work on multiple assignments simultaneously, adhering to best practice guidelines. Must be willing to work hours required to complete the assignment. " Street Smarts " The ability to quickly discern the criteria most important for candidate success in a particular search and think in a non-linear fashion so as to work smarter and creatively; Listen to and process candidate information in such a way as to determine likely fit with the opportunity and quickly "close" the conversation to specific next steps or additional source or candidate identification.

Contribution to Resources: Adds to and updates Searcher. Conducts a thorough evaluation of the outcome of research provided on a search and ensures that results are recorded in Searcher. Actively contributes to the practice knowledge system as well as to practice and research meetings.

Entrepreneurial Spirit: Works with minimal direction; is a self-starter but at the same time knows when to, and is comfortable with asking for direction when necessary. Provides meaningful feedback and when appropriate offers value-added suggestions for approaching the search in a different way. Provides research support in business development efforts.

Efficiency and Need for Closure: Work with multiple managers and prioritize task effectively. The ability to understand to complete searches quickly and at the highest quality standards, while making a profit consistent with the value delivered.

Persistence and Thoroughness: Ability to work in a fast-paced and unstructured work environment, able to assertively navigate organizational structures, but with sensitivity and finesse. Associates must reliably complete necessary paperwork and follow procedures effectively, especially those involving protecting key assets, such as proprietary databases.

Outstanding Communication Skills: Although outstanding telephone skills are especially essential, Associates need excellent overall communications skills, as well. They must demonstrate excellent verbal skills on the telephone, written skills in drafting specifications and references as well as other required documents, and presentation skills in client situations.

Discretion: Must project an understanding and appreciation for the strict confidentiality of client and candidate information and protect it as appropriate.

Poise and Professional Presence: Although in-person client contact is not the primary focus of this position, the Research Analyst will interface frequently with very senior stakeholders, and must project a professional image.

Positive Cultural Influence: Although our culture is independent and entrepreneurial, a team orientation is becoming increasingly important. At a minimum, the Associate must interface well with other office associates, but ideally will become a valued and important part of building a positive culture, raising other associates' job satisfaction levels, and increasing office productivity and retention rates.

LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS

Getting Organized: Is well-organized, resourceful, and focused; effective and efficient at marshalling multiple resources to get things done; lays out tasks in sufficient detail to mark the trail; gets things done with less and in less time; can work on multiple tasks at once without losing track of any; foresees obstacles and plans around them.

Focusing on Action and Outcomes: Attacks everything with drive and energy with an eye on the bottom line; unafraid to initiate action before all the facts are known; drives to finish everything he/she starts.

Communicating Effectively: Writes and presents effectively; adjusts to fit the audience and the message; gets a message across with precision, clarity, brevity, and a relentless desire to re-read / proofread.

Managing Up: Is ambitious and is comfortable marketing himself/herself to higher management; knows how to relate effectively to top management, and can advocate for him/herself

Relating Skills: Warm, friendly, and interpersonally agile; easy to approach and talk to; relates well to all kinds of people; makes a pleasant first impression and builds solid relationships.

Managing Diverse Relationships: Relates well to a wide variety of diverse styles, types, and classes; open to differences; effective up, down, sideways, inside, and outside; builds diverse networks; quick to find common ground; treats differences fairly and equitably; treats everyone as a preferred customer.

Demonstrating Personal Flexibility: Open to lifelong, continuous personal improvement; aware of self and impact on others; responsive to feedback; is very flexible; can act in ways that seem contradictory and is adaptable to demand characteristics of different situations.

EDUCATION

An undergraduate degree from a well-regarded institution is required. Familiarity with Microsoft Office Products and databases (such as Bloomberg, Factiva, Lexis-Nexis) are a plus.

Salary range represents the compensation Korn Ferry expects to pay to a candidate with the requirements for the job posted. Korn Ferry offers competitive compensation and benefits commensurate with experience.

Korn Ferry may use AI as part of its recruitment process, but all hiring decisions are made by humans.

Korn Ferry Benefits

The Korn Ferry Cares Wellbeing Platform offers Employees health benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability, Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment), Critical Illness, Accident Injury, Hospital Indemnity, and Legal Insurance. Employees are eligible to enroll in Korn Ferry's Tax Deferred Savings plan 401(k). Employee Stock Purchase Program is available to all permanent employees who work 20 hours or more after 6 months of service.


Employees are eligible to receive a total of 15 days vacation annually plus paid time off for 16 company holidays. Full time eligible employees will accrue sick time commencing on the first date of employment at the rate of 3.33 hours per pay period for an annualized maximum of 80 hours.

Internal Mobility at Korn Ferry

If you currently work for Korn Ferry or one of our affiliates, you must be eligible to apply for a different position within Korn Ferry to use the Careers Site. If you accept such a position, your benefits programs and Human Resources policies may change. Please consult with your HR contact for the new position concerning application eligibility, including any immigration/visa needs, benefit programs, and HR policies applicable to that position.

Korn Ferry is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Background Check Disclaimer

The successful candidate will need to complete background checks as part of our recruitment process, this may include criminal, education credentials, employment history, and other background information relevant to your employment qualifications