Graduate Research Associate - Executive Search

Graduate Associate – Executive Search

Newport Pagnell | Executive Search & Talent Intelligence

If you're an ambitious graduate looking for a career that combines research, commercial thinking and relationship building, executive search offers an exceptional place to start.

This is an opportunity to join our client, a specialist executive search and talent consultancy working with some of the world's best-known consumer brands. The firm helps global businesses identify and attract exceptional senior leadership talent, as well as providing the market intelligence and talent insights that support important hiring decisions.

Working from the firm's Research Hub in Newport Pagnell, you'll become part of the team responsible for researching global markets, identifying senior talent and providing the insight behind live executive search assignments.

From the outset, you'll work on real projects, develop an understanding of international businesses and markets, and have the opportunity to engage with senior professionals around the world.

What You'll Be Doing

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• Researching companies, industries and senior professionals across global consumer markets
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• Mapping talent and identifying the individuals shaping leading organisations
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• Building a detailed understanding of different businesses, competitors and market trends
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• Approaching and engaging senior professionals as part of live executive search assignments
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• Building long-term professional relationships with candidates
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• Supporting consultants throughout the search process, from initial research through to successful appointment
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• Contributing to talent mapping, market intelligence and research projects that help clients make better hiring decisions
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• Developing specialist knowledge of the consumer goods sector and the organisations operating within it
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No two projects are the same. You could be researching leadership talent for a global consumer brand, exploring a new international market or helping a client understand where the strongest talent sits within a particular sector.

Who They're Looking For

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• A recent graduate with a strong academic background
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• Naturally curious and someone who genuinely enjoys research and finding information
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• A confident communicator who is comfortable speaking with people at all levels
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• Commercially aware and interested in understanding businesses, markets and people
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• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
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• Proactive, resilient and willing to take ownership of their work
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• Someone with the maturity and professionalism to communicate with senior-level individuals
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Previous executive search or recruitment experience is not required. The firm is looking for someone with the intelligence, curiosity, work ethic and interpersonal skills to develop into a successful executive search professional.

What You'll Gain

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• Early involvement in live executive search and talent intelligence projects
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• Exposure to major international consumer brands and senior business leaders
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• The opportunity to develop genuine expertise in research, markets and talent
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• Training and mentoring from experienced executive search professionals
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• International exposure through projects spanning different countries and markets
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• A varied role combining research, communication and commercial problem solving
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• Clear opportunities to develop and progress as your experience grows
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Location

This role is based at the firm's Newport Pagnell Research Hub and requires regular office attendance.

Candidates should therefore live within approximately a 30-minute drive of Newport Pagnell and have their own transport, or be willing to relocate to the area.

Why Executive Search?

Executive search offers graduates the opportunity to develop commercial knowledge and a professional network far earlier than in many traditional graduate careers.

You'll learn how businesses are structured, what makes successful leaders stand out and how major organisations make some of their most important hiring decisions – while developing skills in research, communication, relationship building and commercial thinking.

For a bright, curious graduate who wants genuine responsibility and the opportunity to learn about global businesses from the inside, this is an excellent place to begin a long-term career.