Researcher

Executive Search Researcher Brighton 3/2 Hybrid | Up to £45,000 base | £20,000 - 40,000 annual commission potential This is a strong opportunity for a recruiter who has built good fundamentals and now wants exposure to a more complex, higher-value search market. You'll join an international executive search firm specialising in senior appointments, working on retained assignments for global businesses across Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia. The work is research-heavy, commercially interesting and far removed from high-volume recruitment. The Market These are markets where leadership decisions have a real impact on how global businesses operate. You could be helping clients hire senior people across:

• Supply Chain
• Procurement
• Manufacturing
• Engineering
• Commercial Leadership
• Sustainability
• Commodities
• Energy
• Automotive & Mobility
• Chemicals & Materials
• Medical Devices
• Consumer and Industrial businesses The firm works with major global organisations, PE-backed businesses, trading firms, utilities, banks, hedge funds and industrial technology companies. The searches themselves are often complex. Candidates can be highly niche, internationally based and difficult to access, which is exactly why the research function is so important. Why This Market Is Different This is a low-volume, high-value recruitment environment. Deal sizes can regularly sit between £30,000 and £100,000, with retained search meaning the client is paying for a rigorous, research-led process rather than simply waiting for CVs. The company's methodology starts with detailed market research and talent mapping before moving into longlisting, candidate engagement and shortlist delivery. For a recruiter looking to develop commercially and intellectually, it's excellent exposure to a much more sophisticated style of recruitment. The Opportunity You'll work as a Research Consultant, taking ownership of key parts of retained executive search assignments. Your responsibilities will include:
• Identifying and generating candidates through LinkedIn, CRM searches, referrals and recommendations
• Building longlists and market maps
• Screening and briefing senior candidates
• Selling opportunities and handling objections
• Producing candidate write-ups and shortlists
• Managing candidates through interview processes
• Gathering market intelligence
• Identifying potential leads and commercial opportunities
• Working closely with international sales teams That mirrors the formal Researcher remit, which includes candidate generation, longlisting, candidate briefings, shortlisting, industry research and lead generation. As you develop, you'll gain exposure to client briefings, relationship management, compensation reports and trend analysis, with a defined pathway through Researcher, Senior Researcher and Research Manager. Who They're Looking For This will suit someone who is naturally curious, commercially astute and comfortable getting under the skin of complex markets. Ideally, you'll bring:
• Experience in a high-value recruitment environment
• Strong research and candidate identification skills
• Commercial awareness
• Confidence speaking with senior professionals
• The ability to understand complex businesses and markets quickly
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Good organisation and attention to detail
• A genuine desire to become an expert in your market An academic background or evidence of strong intellectual curiosity is highly desirable, but practical commercial judgement is just as important. The formal specification also places emphasis on independence, adaptability, teamwork, market knowledge, strong organisation and the ability to communicate the company's value proposition. Why Join?
• Retained, research-led search model
• Exposure to senior and executive-level recruitment
• International markets and global clients
• Exceptional career progression
• Opportunity to develop into Senior Research, Research Management or broader search roles
• Learn a genuinely elite style of recruitment
• Build commercial knowledge across some of the most complex global markets
• Work within an established international executive search business This is particularly well suited to someone who enjoys the intellectual side of recruitment as much as the commercial side - understanding markets, finding difficult-to-access people and becoming genuinely knowledgeable enough to advise senior candidates and clients. For the right person, it's a significant step up in deal value, market complexity and long-term career potential. How to Apply Submit a CV to be considered – please ensure you match the required experience as stated in the advert. Hypha Recruit We partner with the best Sales, Recruitment and Executive Search firms in Sussex, Surrey and London, representing Recruiters at all levels, Graduates, and consultative salespeople who want to unlock their potential and build meaningful careers. Our recruitment clients specialise in Disruptive Technology, Automotive, Legal, Cybersecurity, Life Science, FinTech, Accountancy & Tax, SaaS, SpaceTech, IT and Business Transformation, Semiconductors, Financial Services, Media & Broadcasting, Procurement & Supply, Artificial Intelligence and more! Know your options, be supported, and make the right decisions in recruitment. Get in touch for a confidential chat about your career.