Associate Partner

Associate Partner, Consumer Executive Search

Retail | Hospitality | Restaurants | Food Services | Consumer Products

The Opportunity

A leading executive search firm is looking to add an Associate Partner to its Consumer practice.

This role is designed for an established search professional who is ready to take on broader commercial responsibility, deepen senior client relationships, and continue building a presence across the Consumer market.

The successful individual will operate at the intersection of business development, client advisory, and executive search delivery, working with C Suite leaders, boards, investors, and senior functional executives across a range of consumer facing sectors.

The Firm

Our client is a highly regarded executive search platform with a strong reputation for placing senior executives and board members into both high growth businesses and established organizations.

Its Consumer work spans a broad range of industries, including:

The firm combines strong market access with an established research and delivery infrastructure, giving senior search professionals the platform and support to build meaningful client relationships and expand their own areas of expertise.

The Role

As Associate Partner, you will be responsible for developing new business, growing existing accounts, and advising clients on senior leadership needs across the Consumer landscape.

You will work closely with CEOs, CHROs, investors, founders, and board members to understand their business priorities and translate those needs into high quality executive search solutions.

The position also offers the opportunity to help shape and expand a practice over time. You will have the freedom to develop relationships, identify new areas of opportunity, and build a durable book of business while leveraging the firm's broader brand and resources.

Key Responsibilities

Client Development

• Build and deepen relationships with senior decision makers across Consumer
• Originate new retained executive search assignments
• Expand existing accounts through a consultative and relationship driven approach
• Identify commercial opportunities across both established and emerging Consumer businesses

Executive Search Leadership

• Lead and contribute to senior level searches across C Suite, Board, and functional leadership roles
• Partner with internal delivery and research teams to ensure strong execution
• Maintain close involvement throughout the search process, from initial intake through completion
• Provide clients with informed candidate assessments and market perspective

Market Advisory

• Advise clients on talent movement, leadership trends, succession, and organizational priorities
• Develop a strong point of view on market dynamics across Retail, Hospitality, Restaurants, Food Services, and Consumer Products
• Translate sector knowledge into meaningful insights for clients and candidates

Practice Development

• Help expand the firm's presence across targeted Consumer verticals
• Build a recognizable market position within areas of personal expertise
• Collaborate with other Partners and practices on cross sector opportunities
• Contribute to the continued growth and evolution of the broader Consumer business

Ideal Background

• 10+ years of executive search experience
• Strong exposure to Consumer facing industries such as Retail, Hospitality, Restaurants, Food Services, or Consumer Products
• Proven success originating and executing senior level searches
• Experience managing complex relationships with senior executives, boards, investors, and other decision makers
• Strong commercial instincts and a track record of business development
• Ability to balance origination, client advisory, and search execution
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ambition to build a meaningful practice over time
• Strong understanding of market trends, growth dynamics, and leadership challenges across the Consumer sector