Associate / Senior Associate - Executive Search - Montreal

THE ASSOCIATE / SENIOR ASSOCIATE ROLE

Working closely with Partners, the primary roles of the Associate / Senior Associate are to:

• Execution of search assignments brought into the firm by Partners. Play an integral role in the search process - from the time when an assignment is awarded to the firm to the placement of a successful candidate with the client’s company
• Assist in presentation and preparation work for competitive business bidding
• Provide support in the execution of search assignments, taking responsibilities for the research, candidate communication and candidate development elements of the assignment
• Assist in building the knowledge base of the firm, in particular to ensure that all information obtained during the course of an assignment is available to others

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

The Associate / Senior Associate will work under the general direction of a Partner to execute a search
assignment through:

• Developing a search strategy to locate the most suitable candidates for the position. Besides using KF’s internal candidate database, Searcher, most times, this would involve researching appropriate organizations to locate individuals who meet the client’s requirements and who have demonstrated patterns of accomplishments and success
• Conducting research to develop a thorough understanding of client’s organization. This includes review of relevant media including printed materials and on-line websites; interviewing and profiling senior executives of client’s organization; and work with client to develop detailed position specification for the job
• Mapping qualified candidates from the source list through various means such as networking, direct inquiry, Searcher database. The Senior Associate will also conduct telephone interviews actively to prospect and qualify candidates
• Screening candidates to evaluate their suitability further. This includes in-depth conversations to identify candidates’ accomplishments, strengths, weaknesses and potential as well as short-listing them for presentation to clients. Secondary interviews are usually conducted by partner-in-charge of the assignment
• Presenting and recommending short-listed candidates to clients for consideration. This includes the preparation of a confidential report on the career history of the candidate, complete with a comprehensive appraisal of candidates to client. This is usually vetted by the partner-in-charge of the assignment
• Participating in progress meetings with clients and assisting in reporting on the search status. This is usually done under the guidance and supervision of a more senior consultant and / or partner-in-charge
• Helping to facilitate the communication between client and candidate – conducting reference checks; verifying stated information by candidate; and assisting in all other related aspects of completing the employment offer to the candidate
• Helping to identify new and improved methodologies in the execution process so as to enable the firm to deliver the highest quality of service to its clients.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

The successful candidate will have minimum two years of management consulting experience and ideally, will have had exposure to one or more industries. In addition to having excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills, oral, written and listening, the candidate must possess the ability to manage multiple projects effectively is most important.

The ideal candidate must be self confident and self motivated, independent, analytical and hardworking. Successful candidates must be a team player. He/She will take direction well, be detail oriented and able to work well under deadline. The Associate / Senior Associate should have strong time management and organization skills and be highly proficient in Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.

The successful Associate / Senior Associate will also possess:

• “Street Smarts.” - The ability to quickly discern the criteria most important for candidate success in a particular search, listen to and process candidate information in such a way as to determine likely fit with the opportunity and quickly “close” the conversation to specific next steps or additional source or candidate identification
• Entrepreneurial Spirit- Works with minimal direction; is a self-starter. Provides meaningful feedback and when appropriate offers value added suggestions for approaching the search in a different way
• Efficiency and Need for Closure - Work with multiple managers and prioritize task effectively. The ability to understand that Korn Ferry is a business and needs to complete searches quickly and at the highest quality standards, while making a profit consistent with the value delivered
• Persistence and Thoroughness - Ability to work in a fast-paced and unstructured work environment, able to assertively navigate organizational structures, but with sensitivity and finesse. Associates / Senior Associates must reliably complete necessary paperwork and follow procedures effectively, especially with regard to protecting key assets, such as proprietary databases
• Discretion- Must project an understanding and appreciation for the confidentiality of client and candidate information and protect it as appropriate
• Poise and Presence - Although in-person client contact is not the primary focus of this position, Senior Associates interface with very senior people and must project a professional image.

EDUCATION

An undergraduate degree, preferably from a well-recognized university