Executive Search Expert (Researcher)

Egon Zehnder is one of the world’s foremost leadership and talent consultancies. Our firm provides senior-level executive search, board search, advisory, CEO succession, family business advisory, as well as leadership assessment and development to the world’s most respected organizations. With more than 600 consultants in 71 offices and 37 countries, we work closely with public and private corporations, family-owned enterprises, and nonprofit and government agencies to help them define great leadership in the face of changing economic conditions, emerging opportunities, and evolving business goals.

As an Executive Search Expert (Researcher) with fluent English and/or German, you will be responsible for managing a wide variety of client projects (Executive and Board Search) and contributing to solving challenging client assignments. As a core member of the research team, you will gain insight into global markets and industries whilst participating in international teams and enjoying exciting development and career opportunities.

What is the role about:

Client Work & Project Management

• Drive the execution of multiple client assignments (including pitch preparation, assignment activities, project management, etc.) with a high degree of ownership and proactivity in partnership with client teams, taking pride in producing high-caliber work.
• Participate in client-facing activities as appropriate (status update calls, kick-off discussions, assessments, psychometrics, delivering results to clients, facilitating workshops, etc.).
• Identify, assess, calibrate, and prioritize potential talent profiles through our internal Firm network, external resources, and market outreach.
• Serve as a thought partner to the team on all aspects of the assignment by identifying and developing a high-quality, rigorous approach and strategy. Supplement expertise by collaborating as needed with other members of the global Expert team with specific expertise and work closely with the lead Consultant during all phases of the project to ensure quality and timelines.
• When appropriate, assume a leadership role responsible for seamless assignment execution, including delegating to, and managing the client team.
• Be accountable for high-quality client documentation (e.g. role specifications, success profiles, confidential reports, company mappings, systematic candidate identification, executive assessment and feedback reports, etc.).
• Work broadly across different offerings to continue developing a well-rounded understanding of our solutions and begin to "connect the dots" between Practice Groups and Services to identify the best solutions for individual client needs.
• Master and proactively engage with technology as an enabler. Use all relevant internal and external resources, applications, and tools for leveraging own time and focus on high-value add work.

Building Firm Capabilities

• Lead by example and apprentice both junior and senior members of any team with whom the Expert works throughout the organization.
• After successful onboarding, proactively participate in building sustainable Firm capabilities by leading internal projects and adding substantial value (e.g. business development, knowledge management, etc.).
• Apprentice and mentor to develop junior colleagues, when appropriate, throughout onboarding and their professional career progression. Take on leading roles in shaping the Expert community and its culture locally and globally.
• Help the Firm's capabilities internally and externally as appropriate.
• Actively contribute to local or Practice Group recruitment of Experts and Consultants.

Business Development

• Partner with client teams to develop pitch presentations and business development material.
• Proactively initiate, shape, and drive effective business development activities and other business-related projects. Monitor and track relevant market shifts in a segment or function, including company updates and people moves.
• Act as a partner with Consultants to suggest and build targeted event lists for business development-related activities.
• Engage with the external market, as appropriate, to develop market and talent insights, anticipate trends, and increase understanding of the competitive landscape, and build an external network.

Knowledge Management

• Build an internal network and actively partner with other Practice Groups and service lines to supplement expertise.
• Build knowledge in a specific segment or function through proactive market research.
• Contribute to the Firm's knowledge management activities by looking for opportunities to share expertise and best practices, developing a network of people within an industry or functional area, and recording pertinent information.
• Apply knowledge gained from past projects to better understand broader client needs and apply to future network.

• Have a university degree and possess excellent English and/or German skills

• Are confident and robust communicators with the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively – both verbally and in writing.

• Have an interest in a wide variety of topics across industry, economy, and society.

• Having lived and worked internationally or have demonstrable experience working in a professional services environment or in a blue-chip international technology corporation is an advantage.

• Are confident in using MS Office and various databases, and in online research.

• Are self-starters with learning agility and an eye for detail.

At Egon Zehnder, we operate as one unified team with expertise across industries, functions, and geographies. Our organization can be described as high-performing and collaborative, combined with a caring and respectful culture. Employee safety, well-being, and engagement are top priorities and at the core of our culture. We are proud to build relationships and live our Values through our Employee Resource Groups and initiatives. We have global programs focused on:

• Wellbeing,
• Sustainability,
• EZ+ (LGBTQ+),
• Neurodiversity, etc.

Be part of an international, highly professional, dynamic, and close-knit team! In addition to a competitive salary, we offer an annual performance-based bonus to reward our employees for their hard work and dedication. We offer additional paid holidays between Christmas and New Year, allowing our employees to spend time with their families and loved ones during the festive season. Our private medical care package ensures that our employees have access to high-quality medical care when they need it most. To support our employees in their personal and professional development, we offer free language courses in English, French, German, Hungarian, and Italian. We understand the importance of work-life balance, and our flexible hybrid work model allows our employees to work from home or in the office, depending on their needs and preferences. The policy varies by country and is subject to change by Egon Zehnder at any time. Our cafeteria provides a variety of meal options for our employees to choose from, ensuring that they have access to healthy and delicious snacks throughout the day.