Research Associate – Financial Services

Research Associate – Financial Services

£30,000 – £60,000 basic salary plus generous bonuses

The Candidate

Our client is looking for someone who has relevant research based work experience and / or a strong interest in the Financial Services sector. You will have actively sought challenges and positions of responsibility. Your strong intellect must be demonstrated by a 1st or 2.1 degree from a top Russell Group university. You must have at least 1 - 3 years prior work experience in a corporate (Financial Services) or professional services organisation in a research, analysis or consultancy position. Please do not apply if you do not possess the above criteria.

The Firm

• Considered the leading executive search and management consultancy firm globally
• Stylish, luxurious offices in enviable Mayfair location
• 30-60k base plus generous bonuses of up to 30%
• Clearly defined career progression leading to global management responsibilities
• Supporting the highest calibre consultants in the Financial Services industry
• Collegiate and collaborative culture in a creative, dynamic environment
• Global firm with a flat structure
• Researchers “partner” the consultants
• Exposure to all sub-sectors of Financial Services

Our client is one of the world’s largest and most successful consultancy firms, focusing on a wide array of people and leadership issues, advising many of the world’s most respected organisations. With over 400 MBA-trained researchers operating in offices across the world, it is ranked in the Top 3 executive search firms in Europe and the top 5 worldwide. Executive search currently accounts for 70%-75% of the firm’s business with the remainder coming from Board Consulting and Leadership Strategy Services.

The London office is the largest with 40 Consultants, and is currently seeking a Research Associate for their Financial Services practice. The Financial Services practice offers analysis and pragmatic counsel in attracting, developing, and retaining industry leaders in specialisms such as Asset Management, Investment Banking, Corporate Banking & Markets, Insurance, Private Equity, Risk Management, and Sovereign Wealth Funds.

Desired Skills and Experience

The role is ideally suited to an ambitious, business-minded professional, interested in research, analysis, consultancy, and strategy:

• Exceptional interpersonal and teamwork skills, and ability to gain the trust and respect of colleagues and Consultants
• A high level of initiative and ability to work without close supervision
• A high level of intuition and ability to read people
• The desire to learn quickly and research about business news, industry developments and detailed information about specific companies within the Financial Services sectors
• Problem-solving, multi-tasking, research and analytical skills
• Business minded and interested in research, consultancy and analysis

Research Associate

• A Research Associate will be a key member of a Practice Group, allowing functional specialisation while providing the flexibility to work across all Financial Services sectors
• Research Associates work hand-in-hand with various Consultants on a diverse range of projects with significant exposure to senior clients
• Research Associates help free up the Partner’s time and provide leverage to the Consultants
• The Research Associate must be flexible and fit in with both the Consultants and the Researchers
• The relationship built with both Consultants and Researchers results in a broader business experience both within the firm and with clients outside of search
• While there is no formal training, it is usual for Associate Consultants to fit across practice groups and go where needed

The core role will be to support Consultant activity across all aspects of assignments, which will include:

• Attending pitch meetings with clients alongside Consultant colleagues
• Contributing to proposals to win new business
• Reviewing candidate lists produced by the research team and acting as a thought-partner/sparring-partner to researchers and Consultants on the applicability of candidates for a given role
• Sourcing the market to help identify top candidates
• Attending and contributing to interviews with board and executive level candidates and, in collaboration with consultants, drafting confidential reports on their experience and competencies to be sent to clients
• Taking in-depth references

Areas of interest may include: financial services, risk, technology, legal, corporate services, professional services, strategy consultancy, management consultancy, legal consultancy, financial consultancy, investment consultancy, investment banking, law, advisory, interviewing, business analysis, private equity competitor analysis, strategy, commercial research, industry research, corporate research, market research, due diligence, research, analysis, strategy, private equity, financial services, finance, researcher, analytical, analyst, research associate