Associate

Associate – Executive Search (Hedge Funds) Starting Salary £37,500 starting salary + annual bonus (OTE Year 1 – Year 3 £60,000 - £80,000) Looking to build a long-term career in executive search at the very top end of the market, working with some of the world's largest and most sophisticated hedge funds and alternative investment firms? Our client is a specialist executive search firm operating across the global hedge fund and alternative investment space. Established over 31 years ago and now with c.40 people across London (HQ), New York and Singapore, they are retained annually by many of the biggest names in the industry — with client relationships often spanning a decade or more. They are now looking for driven, intellectually curious Associates to join their London office. Associate – Executive Search (Hedge Funds) – What's On Offer

• £37,500 starting salary + annual bonus (OTE Year 1 – Year 3 £60,000 - £80,000)
• Total compensation moves into six figures from Consultant level and up to seven figures at Partner level
• No KPIs or targets — genuine quality-over-pressure culture, with room to grow at your own pace
• Structured, incremental career trajectory — you won't be thrown in the deep end – they want you to be credible and confident when operating in their markets
• Full involvement in the end-to-end search process from day one, learning by watching before doing
• Real exposure to senior clients and complex, high-value mandates ($150k–$300k retainers, average fee $600k, fee caps above $1m)
• Genuinely collaborative, supportive culture with no micromanagement
• Long-tenured, low-turnover team — some colleagues with 20+ years' service
• Global opportunities across London, New York and Singapore, with openness to relocation between offices
• Tech-forward business investing in modern tools and ways of working
• Track record of strong internal progression (Researcher → Consultant → Partner) supported by real case studies across the business Associate – Executive Search (Hedge Funds) – What You'll Be Doing This is a research and delivery role, working across investment and non-investment mandates for large alternative investment firms. You'll be involved in the full search process from day one — learning from experienced partners before taking on more responsibility as you progress. Your exposure will include:
• Working closely with Partners and senior consultants across live retained search mandates
• Researching and mapping specialist talent within investment and technology functions at hedge funds
• Supporting the end-to-end search process — from briefing through to offer
• Building long-term relationships with senior investment professionals globally
• Gaining first-hand exposure to senior management, global heads and C-suite-level clients
• Learning the intricacies of complex, highly technical subject matter within alternative investments
• Working across both investment and technology verticals, with flexibility to rotate and find your specialism Associate – Executive Search (Hedge Funds) – What They're Looking For
• Strong academic record — often from redbrick or equivalent universities
• Genuinely social, ethical and team-oriented — this is a collaborative firm, not one driven by individual targets
• Good intellectual horsepower — comfortable getting to grips with complex, technical subject matter
• Hard-working with strong commercial nous and initiative
• Self-starter who thrives with autonomy rather than micromanagement ASAP start available This is a rare opportunity to join a small, high-performing, genuinely well-regarded executive search firm operating at the top end of the hedge fund and alternative investment market — with real long-term career prospects and none of the high-pressure, high-turnover culture of larger competitors. Interested in finding out more? Apply now.