Associate

Position Summary

Associates are expected to work pro-actively and efficiently on multiple client engagements through the combination of solid project management skills, proactive and quality search execution, ownership mentality and strong, team-oriented delivery to specific client needs. Each assignment is driven by a team, including at a minimum a Consultant, Associate and Executive Assistant. There are times when an Associate may be working with multiple team members located in different geographies.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to:
Director of Associates/Research Director or Practice Leader (depending on region)

Associate Practice Leader (if applicable to region)

Consultants (on assignment/engagement basis)

Other Key Relationships:
Practice Leader/Practice Members

Office Manager

Analysts, Associates, Senior Associates and Consultants Firm-wide

Search Coordinators/Executive Assistants/LAS Project Managers

Knowledge Managers & Practice/Knowledge Analysts

Global Information Services/European Knowledge Services

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Gather relevant information regarding the appropriate industries and target companies, including identifying potential prospects and sources.
- Communicate effectively with the search team, including Consultant(s), other Associates/Senior Associates and Executive Assistant(s) and remain fully abreast of search developments in order to communicate accurately and credibly regarding the assignment.
- Be willing and proactive about contributing to local, practice or Firm-wide initiatives. Coordinate and share practice related information to the KM for potentially broader distribution, participate in practice calls and meetings as appropriate.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

University Graduate

College degree preferred.

A minimum of 5 years of experience

In a consulting or executive search environment and/or a role where multiple projects and competing demands are the norm.

Domain or Subject Matter Expertise

International

International mind set and ideally will have experience in working across borders.

Language
Fluency in English (written and spoken); additional language skills will be an advantage, particularly in markets where the knowledge of one or more of the national languages is important.

CRITICAL CAPABILITIES

Project Management
- Takes an end-to-end view of each project & the required resources; works at pace and with attention to detail while managing competing deadlines and priorities; has a sense of urgency.
- Understands the search process (from internal kick-off to referencing); asks questions to understand; and is proactive.
- Works on multiple projects; meets deadlines and is resilient under pressure; delivers on commitments on time or notifies as early as possible if deadlines will slip.
- Demonstrates enthusiasm, tenacity and intellectual curiosity; action-oriented; deals with problems immediately.
- Is results focused and flexible; demonstrates a strong work ethic.
- Observes and asks questions to fully understand the issue; synthesizes information from a variety of internal/external sources, despite possibly having ambiguous or incomplete information.
- Gathers relevant data from a variety of sources, including views gathered through Third Party Sourcing (TPS), to help determine broad capabilities, gaps, qualifications/fit; articulates reasons for fit to spec in a succinct manner.
- Adds meaningful notes on Quest, diligently uses the initial assessment feature.

Credibility and Influence
- Becomes a credible and authentic professional by observing colleagues and emulating role models.
- Adapts verbal and written communications according to expectations for role and audience, specifically how to be confident, succinct, concise, prepared and professional.
- Identifies executive movements in the market and updates Quest (ideally in real time) and colleagues; asks questions and shows interest in networking.
- Has a genuine interest in/curiosity about people and businesses; and has an understanding of businesses and their interrelationships.
- Understands how to identify and navigate the various relevant sources available (Quest, Passport, Global Information Services, Hoovers, LinkedIn, etc.).

Developing self and others

Develops self and others; seeks and provides feedback, modifies own performance or behavior based on feedback. A successful Associate is constantly growing, learning and enhancing his/her skills and capabilities:

- Seeks and is open to feedback from colleagues, placing value on self development efforts; seeks opportunities for growth.
- Is self-aware and open to changing one’s own behavior.

Firm Values

Champions the Firm’s values, culture and Code of Conduct; engages, participates and collaborates with others. A successful Associate, who people like working with and who may over time also have a leadership role:

- Accepts others’ opinions and encourages teamwork.
- Brings cultural awareness and sensitivity to each interaction with colleag