Senior Associate, Consumer Practice (Retail, Direct to Consumer, Apparel & Luxury Goods)

SENIOR ASSOCIATE ROLE

Spencer Stuart is seeking to recruit a Senior Associate for the Consumer Practice.  This Senior Associate will have the opportunity to help solve Chief Executive Officer, Board Director, and other C-level functional executive searches, while working in partnership with several core Consultants, in the Retail, Direct to Consumer, Apparel & Luxury Goods sectors. 

Senior Associates are highly valued members of the Spencer Stuart team who are recognized for the quality of their work and impact related to delivering high-quality results – consistently. Senior Associates are expected to work proactively and effectively on multiple client engagements through taking ownership of the search or assessment/advisory process. This includes having exemplary project management skills, industry and/or functional domain expertise, judgement and assessment skills, and commitment to the highest quality delivery orientation.

With excellent communications and assessment skills, Senior Associates will consistently demonstrate their skill and capability in identifying and bringing forward candidates, conducting in-depth assessments of business experience and professional capabilities of top executive talent, properly validating all candidates, and preparing insightful, client-ready documentation. The role of Senior Associate requires an individual with strong interpersonal skills who enjoys the challenge of working internally in a team-based environment and externally with a variety of candidates and clients, as well as diverse, senior-level executives and board members. Senior Associates have earned a “seat at the table” in candidate and client interactions and are regularly contributing to discussions with candidate insight or market and/or subject matter expertise.

The Senior Associate will ideally be based in New York, Stamford, or San Francisco.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: 

Consumer Practice Leader

Consultants (on an assignment basis)

Other key relationships:

Associate Practice Leader

Market Leader

Analysts, Associates, Senior Associates, and Consultants

EEA’s

Talent Partner

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Build a Platform - strong industry or functional domain or subject matter expertise

Senior Associates are recognized as experts in an industry, functional or geographically based candidate pool. They will:

• Contribute advice and input during the business development stage, to building qualifications packages by providing market information and potential profiles to demonstrate capability and knowledge of industry or functional area, as well as potentially in the client meeting itself, based on depth of experience in a specific industry, function or geography.

• Contribute to the Firm’s knowledge management activities by owning and working a defined candidate pool both proactively and during normal search work.

Deliver Quality

Leveraging strong judgement and assessment skills, Senior Associates play a key role in developing client deliverables, under the guidance of a Consultant. They will:

• Demonstrate ownership of the assignment, define the search strategy, coordinate resources and meet all timelines.
• Draft the position specification/proposal on designated assignments following the client briefing.
• Develop and present outstanding prospects by routinely sourcing the market, conducting pre-reference calls, and thoroughly assessing experiences and critical capabilities for success.
• Conduct initial assessments and/or co-interview candidates, with the Consultant, and draft candidate presentations with evidence of assessment against experience and capabilities.
• In conjunction with the Consultant, take formal references on the final candidate and prepare supporting reference reports.

Communication and Impact

Senior Associates often participate in client meetings and candidate interviews and, during the course of asearch, are responsive to client enquiries in the absence, or under the direction, of a Consultant. They will:

• Actively participate in client briefing meetings with the Consultant and contribute to the development of the search strategy, providing insightful advice in client meetings based on market or subject matter expertise and demonstrating outstanding relationship building and communications skills. 
• As appropriate, liaise directly with the client and maintain dialogue with prospects and candidates regarding the search engagement, ensuring that clients and candidates experience a seamless model when working with the Consultant and Senior Associate.
• Prepare information for client progress reports and other meetings by teaming with the Consultant and Executive Assistant, anticipating the information needs of others and providing an informed perspective on the market and the prospects/candidates.
  

Role Model

Senior Associates are expected to be role models and good citizens to strengthen our People and Culture and make a broader contribution to the Firm.  Senior Associates are viewed as go-to individuals and willing volunteers and they will have actively participated in contributing to the local office, practice or Firm development. They will:

• Ensure up-to-date assignment, company and candidate information during the course of an assignment is available for colleagues through appropriate use of Quest. 
• Actively contribute to practice/office/region/Firm with a global mindset (e.g. business development, knowledge building and sharing, best practice sharing, intellectual capital, marketing events, social activities etc.)
• Develop self and others (e.g. taking an active role in coaching junior colleagues, being involved in or leading learning and development initiatives, mentoring, regional/global projects or other relevant activities for the Firm)
• Adhere diligently to Firm policies and standards for candidate validation, documentation and assessment as well as demonstrating professional behavior and living our values (including adherence to Red Book, Quest policies etc.)
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IDEAL EXPERIENCE

• Progressive Professional Services Experience: Progressive Associate or Associate-equivalent experience within executive search, leadership advisory, management consulting, or another professional services environment. Recognized as a top performer through a combination of successful project outcomes, increasing levels of responsibility, title progression, distinctive project leadership, or selection for high-priority and complex assignments.

• Industry and/or Functional Expertise: Established experience developing domain and/or subject matter expertise, ideally within consumer, retail, or an adjacent industry, through direct project work, market exposure, or client engagement.

• Project Leadership and Execution Experience: Experience leading a high volume of concurrent projects with competing deadlines in a fast-paced professional services environment. Consistently delivers high-quality outcomes with a strong sense of urgency; effectively “quarterbacks” projects, consistently operating with a high level of ownership and independence; proactively shaping project direction, creating structure from ambiguity; and confidently stepping into leadership roles with clients and internal teams when needed.  

• Client-Facing Advisory Experience: Experience preparing client-ready deliverables, presentation, assessments, and progress reports for senior executive audiences. Regular exposure and active contribution to client discussions and presentation of findings or recommendations; spontaneously sharing insights and expertise which drive for better outcomes.  

• Enterprise Collaboration and Firm Contribution: Experience working across a matrixed organization and partnering with diverse stakeholders, including clients, candidates, and colleagues across functions, geographies, or teams. Has contributed beyond core project execution through activities such as mentoring junior colleagues, supporting business development efforts, participating in practice initiatives, or leading internal firm projects.

• Language Skills: Fluency in English (written and spoken); additional language skills are an advantage.
• Education: Undergraduate degree required; postgraduate degree preferred.

CRITICAL CAPABILITIES

Project Management

Takes the lead in managing the search/engagement process and oversees collective team efforts to drive cadence and flow of client outcomes.  Successful Senior Associates are trusted by consultants and are given and welcome increasing responsibility, with a high level of multiple and complex projects.  They will achieve this through:

• Time and Project Management, having capacity, a sense of urgency, anticipating challenges and remaining calm under pressure
• Accountability and Initiative, taking responsibility for certain aspects of client and candidate handling and assuming ownership of projects/deliverables

Candidate Development

Consistently develops qualified and interested candidates for portfolio of searches.  Successful Senior Associates will quickly develop excellence in search strategy to build strong contact management lists and do this through their:

• Problem-solving, anticipating complexities and being proactive and creative in addressing them to optimize client success
• Judgment and Insight, drawing on their expertise to provide insight for accurate decision-making

Credibility and Influence

Communicates effectively both in writing and verbally; has "gravitas"(executive presence) and is able to build relationships.  Successful Senior Associates make an immediate and long-lasting impression on others and will do this through:

• Influence, as a trusted advisor both internally and externally where their opinion is sought out by clients, candidates and internal teams.
• Communication, able to navigate complex, senior executive interactions with confidence, poise and agility as well as being able to challenge others to change or adapt to new approaches or ideas.

Market and Candidate Knowledge

Obtains and incorporates knowledge to enhance client work in a meaningful way.  Knows how to get information, effectively uses resources including Quest.  Successful Senior Associates will have deep candidate pool knowledge and the ability to build and share knowledge, which can also help drive Business Development opportunities and intellectual capital initiatives, by having:

• Distinct Industry/Function/Local Market expertise, sought out as a subject matter expert with the ability to be creative in identifying new and additional sources.
• Business & Organizational Acumen, able to speak the language of business and understanding the context of businesses and their place in the wider competitive market

Developing Self & Others

Develops self and others; seeks and provides feedback, coaches and mentors to improve team performance and productivity; modifies own performance or behavior based on feedback.  Successful Senior Associates are constantly growing, learning and enhancing their skills and capabilities.  They will do this by being:

• Receptive and Responsive to Feedback, seeking that feedback and modifying their behavior accordingly as well as demonstrating their commitment to career growth by looking for coaching and development from a variety of people.
• An active and sought-after Coach and Mentor, collaborating and delegating in such a way that the team feels empowered and engaged, setting an example and creating opportunities for others to develop.

Firm Values

Champions the Firm’s values, culture and Code of Conduct; engages, participates and collaborates with others. Successful Senior Associates, who people like working with and who may also have some kind of leadership role, do this through:

• Teamwork and Collaboration, helping to drive the team towards common goals.
• Building Affiliation within a global internal network, seeking opportunities to engage in cross-border work and/or making an “above and beyond” contribution to the Firm’s knowledge of a candidate pool.
• Championing Firm Values, being supportive of Firm initiatives, willing to volunteer and participating in Firm activities.

Total compensation for this role includes several components, including a generous performance-based discretionary bonus, excellent healthcare benefits, and a base salary range of $150-$170k.

Spencer Stuart is a proud equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are committed to non-discrimination without regard to actual or perceived race, ethnicity, creed, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, immigration status, ancestry, age, marital status, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any basis prohibited under applicable federal, state or local law.