Associate

Position Summary

Associates are highly valued team members who work proactively and efficiently on multiple client engagements. An Associate combines excellent project management skills, a proactive and high-level of quality in search execution, an ‘ownership mentality’, team spirit and a strong drive for results to deliver on a specific client’s needs. With each assignment being executed in a team of Consultant(s), Associate(s) and Executive Assistant(s), Associates focus on identifying and developing high quality candidates based on client needs. Associates play an integral part of the entire search process from the initial kick-off through to the closure of the search. They work closely with the Consultant(s) to identify, assess and present candidates to clients and have direct contact with clients throughout a search engagement.

Depending on the regional scope of the role and exact function specifications, Associates will work within international team settings with team members located across offices in various geographies. Overtime, an Associate will be expected to develop deep and insightful candidate pool knowledge, related to a specific industry, function or geography.

In the context of further growing Spencer Stuart’s Amsterdam office, we are currently seeking to expand our team with a new Associate (with native Dutch language skills), who will be working across various Sector and / or Functional Practices.

Key Relationships

Reports to:                            

Research Director

Office Manager

Associates and Consultants (on a project basis)

Other Key Relationships:   

Global & EMEA Practice Leader/Practice Members

Consultants, Associates, Senior Associates

Executive Assistants

Client Development Team    

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute actively to the start-up phase of the search by participating in client kick-off meetings with the Consultant and assisting in the development of the search strategy and target list of companies.
• Gather relevant information regarding the respective industries and target companies, including identifying potential prospects and sources.
• Represent client effectively in the marketplace and present a comprehensive universe of qualified candidates by partnering with the Consultant during the course of the assignment and observing aspects of confidentiality throughout the search process. Anticipate needs to drive the search to closure and be prepared to supply additional information, such as related industry trends, market findings, reaction to the opportunity, compensation data, etc., gained during the course of a search.
• Communicate effectively with the Consultant and Executive Assistant and remain fully abreast of search developments in order to communicate accurately and credibly regarding the assignment.
• Prepare organized information for the client progress report/meeting by teaming with the Consultant and the Executive Assistant. Provide an informed perspective on prospects/candidates and how they line up against the key selection criteria outlined by the client.
• Develop and present outstanding prospects by routinely conducting third-party source/pre-reference calls and thoroughly assess experiences and critical capabilities for success.
• Co-interview candidates with the Consultant and draft candidate presentations with evidence of assessment against experience and capabilities.
  ▪ Ensure up to date assignment, company and candidate information during the course of an assignment is always available for colleagues, by leveraging technology and information from the Firm’s state-of-the-art, proprietary database (Quest).
• Be aware of activities and changes in general business and in industry/functional areas, if specialized. Add to the Firm’s knowledge by identifying and beginning to develop expertise in a further to be defined industry, functional or geographic candidate pool.
• Be willing and proactive about contributing to local, practice or Firm-wide initiatives. Coordinate and share practice related information to the Knowledge Manager for potentially broader distribution.
• Adhere diligently to Firm policies and standards for candidate validation, documentation and assessment. Co-interview candidates with the Consultant and draft candidate presentations with evidence of assessment against experience and capabilities.
• Ensure up to date assignment, company and candidate information during the course of an assignment is always available for colleagues, by leveraging technology and information from the Firm’s state-of-the-art, proprietary database (Quest).
• Be aware of activities and changes in general business and in industry/functional areas, if specialized. Add to the Firm’s knowledge by identifying and beginning to develop expertise in a further to be defined industry, functional or geographic candidate pool.
• Be willing and proactive about contributing to local, practice or Firm-wide initiatives. Coordinate and share practice related information to the Knowledge Manager for potentially broader distribution.
• Adhere diligently to Firm policies and standards for candidate validation, documentation and assessment.

Ideal Experience

Education
Academic degree. Bachelor’s degree is required. Master’s degree preferred.

3+ years of professional experience

Approximately 3 years of experience in project, talent management or recruitment, gained within (international) executive search or recruitment agency or other professional services firm (e.g. strategy consulting, law firms, management consulting). Alternatively, experience in talent management and / or recruitment, gained within an (international) corporate business.

Domain or Subject Matter Expertise
Ideally experience with developing domain and / or subject matter expertise (i.e. industry or functional expertise like Consumer, Technology, Industrial, or CFO, HR, Boards, amongst others).

Quality Execution
Experience in delivering high quality services and documentation.

International

International mind set. Ideally has worked on cross-border client engagements, or in an international company environment.

Language

Native Dutch and excellent English language skills (written and spoken).