Associate, Private Equity (Industrials)

Spencer Stuart is seeking to recruit an Associate for the Private Equity team focused on executive search and pre-deal offerings for private equity firms and their portfolio companies. With exposure to a broad set of clients and leadership challenges, this Associate will help to identify and develop diverse candidate slates as an essential member of the project team, with a focus on the Industrials sector, with an ideal focus on manufacturing, engineering, process industries, energy, and/or automotives. The Associate role combines research, assessment, validation, project management, and relationship-building skills to deliver extraordinary service and value to Spencer Stuart clients.

Successful candidates will have a proven track record of being driven, graceful under pressure, resilient, and demonstrating strong project management ability, commitment to excellence, writing skills, results orientation, rigorous attention to details, intellectual curiosity and ideally, an understanding of the private equity operating model. The Associate will enjoy the challenge of working internally with a variety of Consultants and externally with diverse, senior-level executives and board members.

The Associate will ideally be based in New York City, though exceptional candidates based in D.C., Philadelphia, or Boston will also be considered. There is an expectation of being in the office a minimum of two days a week. In the early stages, it will be beneficial for the individual to spend more time in the office to build relationships, engage with colleagues and participate in the local office community.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute actively to the start-up phase of each pre-deal engagement, participating in client kick-off meetings with the Consultant and assisting in the development of internal teams and work flows to meaningfully and swiftly address client needs and critical dilligence activities.
• Gather relevant information regarding the appropriate industries and target companies. Identify potential prospects and sources and represent the client effectively in the marketplace, discussing the opportunity with relevant executives and providing high-end, bespoke support when facilitating executive introductions, management insights, or other search activities.
• Partner with Consultants to develop and present our relationship access and insights. Anticipate what needs might drive investment decisions and actively work to create deal angles and to supply additional information, such as related industry/segment trends, market findings, customer feedback, supplier issues, or other items of distinct value as it pertains to management teams and specific executives.
• Contribute to the preparation of position specifications, candidate presentations and reference reports adhering to the Firm’s assessment methodology and leadership frameworks.
• Communicate effectively with Consultants, and EEAs, Analysts, Associates, or client success colleagues affiliated with a client. Given the holistic nature of relationship management, and the body of human capital consulting required over the life of an asset or portfolio of assets, the Associate will need to remain fully abreast of all developments, in order to communicate accurately and credibly, as part of the glue that binds these activities together.
• Work with each project team to prepare organized information for candidate reports, and client update meetings, giving an informed perspective on work to date, and how they match and align to the value creation efforts of our clients.
• Be aware of market activities and management changes in the relevant industry’s sector; keep team members apprised of relevant developments that could inform search strategies and client insights.
• Add to the firm’s candidate pool expertise by continually identifying and introducing new talent to the firm. Ensure that up to date assignment, company and candidate information during the course of an assignment is always available for colleagues, by leveraging technology and information from the firm’s state-of-the-art, proprietary database.
• Contribute to responses to inquiries for new business, as well as business development initiatives, inclusive of reactive RFPs in partnership with Analysts and GTM teams, or proactive business development planning within the sector of interest
• Be willing and proactive about contributing to local, practice or firm-wide initiatives. Coordinate and share practice related information with colleagues for potentially broader distribution.
• Contribute to broader Private Equity Business initiatives, such as learning loops, intellectual capital pieces, solution refinement, and the development of junior members on the team (e.g., Analysts).

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

• 4 years of experience, ideally from a professional services environment serving private equity clients through the lens of human capital solutions. Other relevant client-service organizations will also be considered, including executive search, strategy consulting, or networking services, in addition to in-house human capital roles (i.e., serving the human capital or value creation team of a private equity firm)
• Advancement of skills and knowledge evidenced through promotion or tenure.
• Interest or experience in the Industrials industry.
• Superior project management skills demonstrated through experience working in a high-performance. environment where multiple projects and competing demands are the norm.
• Excellent communication skills shown through clear, structured and concise presentation.
• Undergraduate degree required, postgraduate degree a plus.

CRITICAL CAPABILITIES FOR SUCCESS

• Project Management
• Candidate Development and Human Capital Consulting
• Credibility and Influence
• Market and Candidate Knowledge
• Developing Self and Others

Firm Values

Champions the Firm’s values, culture and Code of Conduct; engages, participates and collaborates with others. A successful Associate, who people like working with and who may over time also have a leadership role:

• Accepts others’ opinions and encourages teamwork.
• Brings cultural awareness and sensitivity to each interaction with colleagues.
• Participates actively and contributes to internal activities; engages with office and practice.
• Represents Spencer Stuart well by speaking positively about the Firm and aligning behavior to Firm values.
• Conducts themselves in a way that is consistent with the Firm’s values.

The base compensation range for this position is $100,000-130,000 per year. The actual base compensation offered within this range will be dependent on the individual’s skills, experiences, and qualifications. This position will be eligible to participate in our annual discretionary bonus program.

Spencer Stuart also offers a competitive benefits package, which includes:

• Retirement savings plan with discretionary profit sharing contribution and employer match;
• PTO (minimum 15 days per year, increases with tenure), paid sick time (10 days per year), company holidays (12 days per year), and paid leaves of absence when applicable;
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, and healthcare flexible spending account;
• Life Insurance, and short-term and long-term disability insurance;
• Wellness benefits, including an employee assistance program, virtual mental health program, and mindfulness program; and
• Voluntary benefit options, including supplemental life insurance, identity theft protection, and whole life insurance with long-term care and critical illness coverage.

To see and hear more about our organization, its culture and values, as well as what it’s like to work at Spencer Stuart, please visit https://www.spencerstuart.com/who-we-are/careers-at-spencer-stuart

In order to be considered for this role you must complete an application on Spencer Stuart's website. We will not be able to consider your candidacy unless an application is received.

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.