London - Principal Executive Search Consultant

Overview:

London - Principal Executive Search Consultant

Permanent People partnering with a highly respected executive search firm that works exclusively on retained assignments, supporting FTSE 350 businesses, major public sector organisations and some of the UK's most recognisable brands with senior leadership appointments.

As part of continued growth, they're looking to hire experienced search and recruitment professionals at Consultant, Principal Consultant and Associate Partner level.

Salary:

£50000 - 75000

Location:

London

Country:

United Kingdom

Closing Date:

2027-01-13

The Role

You'll join an established and well-connected team, delivering senior-level appointments across one of the following sectors:

• Consumer & Retail
• Leisure & Hospitality
• Local & Central Government
• Infrastructure (Rail, Airports & Transport)
• Human Resources

Assignments are exclusively retained, with typical fee values ranging from £25,000 to £35,000+ and often involve hiring leadership talent that shapes the future direction of major organisations.

This is a genuine opportunity to operate as a trusted advisor rather than a transactional recruiter.

What You'll Be Doing

• Winning and delivering retained executive search assignments
• Building relationships with senior stakeholders and leadership teams
• Advising clients on market trends, talent strategy and succession planning
• Developing new business opportunities within your chosen sector
• Managing executive search projects from brief through to completion
• Engaging and assessing senior leadership and board-level talent
• Building long-term client partnerships rather than focusing on one-off placements

About You

We're open to individuals from executive search, retained recruitment or high-performing contingent recruitment backgrounds.

You might currently be:

• An Executive Search Consultant
• Principal Consultant
• Associate Partner
• Senior Recruitment Consultant
• Recruitment Manager
• Sector Specialist operating at mid-to-senior level

Most importantly, you'll be able to demonstrate:

• A strong billing track record (typically £250k+)
• Proven business development capability
• Experience building and managing client relationships
• Credibility with senior stakeholders
• A consultative approach to recruitment
• Ambition to operate in a retained search environment

Previous executive search experience would be advantageous, but exceptional recruiters from contingent markets who can demonstrate quality, commerciality and relationship-building skills will also be considered.

Benefits

• Work exclusively on retained assignments
• Access to FTSE 350 and high-profile public sector clients
• Average fees of £25,000-£35,000+
• Strong earning potential with consultants typically earning around one-third of the revenue they generate
• Established brand with an exceptional reputation in the market
• High-quality, collaborative culture
• Clear progression from Consultant through to Associate Partner and beyond
• Opportunity to become a genuine trusted advisor within your sector

This is an ideal opportunity for ambitious recruiters who enjoy winning business, influencing senior stakeholders and operating at a more strategic level.

Salary: Competitive depending on experience + uncapped bonus + excellent benefits