Associate – Consumer
Location: London, United Kingdom
About the Role
A leading global leadership advisory and executive search firm is seeking a high-performing Research Associate to join its Consumer Practice in London. This role sits at the heart of the executive search and leadership advisory process, partnering closely with senior consultants to identify, assess, and engage exceptional leadership talent across the consumer ecosystem.
The successful candidate will contribute to high-impact mandates spanning sectors such as Consumer Goods, Retail, Luxury, E-commerce, Food & Beverage, Hospitality, and broader consumer services. The position offers strong exposure to C-suite search work, strategic market mapping, and leadership advisory assignments for leading international organisations.
Key Responsibilities
- Execute comprehensive market and company research to support executive search and leadership advisory projects
- Identify and evaluate senior executives and leadership talent across consumer industries
- Develop industry intelligence, competitor analyses, and talent landscape mapping
- Prepare client-ready materials including candidate profiles, market insights, and search progress updates
- Conduct candidate outreach and preliminary assessment conversations
- Maintain and strengthen relationships with executives, industry sources, and internal stakeholders
- Collaborate closely with consultants and wider research teams across international offices
- Monitor trends shaping the consumer sector, including digital transformation, sustainability, omnichannel retail, and evolving consumer behaviours
Candidate Profile
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent academic achievement required; postgraduate qualification advantageous
- Prior experience in executive search, strategy consulting, market intelligence, corporate research, or consumer industry analysis preferred
- Strong interest in consumer markets and leadership dynamics
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities
- Highly polished written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to synthesise complex information into concise, commercially relevant insights
- Strong stakeholder management and interpersonal skills
- Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Demonstrates discretion, professionalism, and sound judgement
Preferred Experience
Exposure to one or more of the following sectors would be advantageous:
- FMCG / Consumer Packaged Goods
- Retail and E-commerce
- Luxury and Fashion
- Food & Beverage
- Consumer Health and Wellness
- Hospitality and Leisure
What the Firm Offers
- Exposure to senior global business leaders and transformative leadership mandates
- A collaborative, international, and intellectually rigorous environment
- Structured professional development and mentorship
- Opportunity to build deep sector expertise within the Consumer Practice
- Competitive compensation and benefits package
Ideal Candidate Attributes
- Curious and intellectually driven
- Commercially aware with strong business acumen
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Resilient, adaptable, and proactive
- Passionate about leadership and talent identification
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