Graduate Analyst

Graduate Analyst Programme – Executive Search

• Location: London
• Salary: £30,000
• Working pattern: Full-time, office-based, five days per week
• Programme start date: 1 November 2026
• Offer deadline: All offers to be accepted and signed by 1 October 2026
• Programme length: 10 months
• Visa sponsorship: Not available

The Company:

Our client is a rapidly growing international executive search and talent advisory firm. Its specialists partner with ambitious, technology-driven businesses to identify and appoint exceptional senior leaders.

Operating across North America, EMEA and APAC, the firm supports fast-scaling companies backed by leading venture capital and private equity investors, alongside established global organisations.

The business combines specialist market knowledge, extensive professional networks and technology to help ambitious organisations build the leadership teams they need to grow.

Its culture is underpinned by integrity, respect, collaboration and openness to new ideas. Employees are encouraged to build their professional reputation, contribute to the firm’s continued growth and develop a career that reflects their ambitions.

The Graduate Programme:

Our client is looking for exceptionally ambitious, intellectually curious and commercially minded graduates to join its London office on 1 November 2026.

This is a structured, 10-month development programme designed to give graduates the research, commercial and relationship-building skills required to build a successful career in executive search.

Throughout the programme, you will learn directly from experienced executive search professionals and support live assignments for high-growth, investor-backed and established global businesses.

Subject to successful completion of the programme and strong performance, Graduate Analysts will progress into an Associate position after 10 months.

This is a full-time, office-based opportunity requiring you to work on-site at the company’s London office five days per week.

Understanding the Role:

This is an executive search position. It is not a data analyst or traditional data analysis role.

Executive search involves helping businesses identify, assess and appoint senior leaders. Much of your work will focus on:

• Researching companies, markets and senior candidate profiles.
• Mapping relevant organisations and leadership teams.
• Identifying executives who may be suitable for senior appointments.
• Reaching out to prospective candidates.
• Building professional relationships with senior individuals.
• Maintaining accurate candidate and market information.
• Supporting the wider team in delivering executive search assignments.

The role combines detailed research with communication, relationship building and commercial judgement. You must be comfortable proactively approaching people, not simply analysing information behind the scenes.

Previous executive search experience is not required. However, applicants are expected to have researched the industry and developed a clear understanding of what executive search involves before applying.

You should be able to explain why executive search interests you, why you would be suited to the work and why you want to build a long-term career within the industry.

What You’ll Do:

Research markets, companies and senior talent

• Develop a detailed understanding of different industries, businesses, investment markets and leadership structures.
• Research potential candidate profiles and assess their relevance to specific client assignments.
• Map target organisations and identify relevant senior executives and leadership teams.
• Analyse company information, career histories and market activity.
• Produce clear, accurate market maps and talent intelligence.

Identify and engage potential candidates

• Proactively identify potential candidates for senior leadership appointments.
• Support thoughtful and personalised outreach to senior professionals.
• Contact prospective candidates and help build strong candidate pipelines.
• Assist in assessing individuals against each client’s commercial, leadership and cultural requirements.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with high-calibre executives.

Support executive search delivery

• Work closely with Associates, Principals, Managing Directors and other senior colleagues across live assignments.
• Contribute research insights and candidate updates during internal meetings.
• Support the development of research and candidate engagement strategies.
• Recommend new companies, markets or candidate populations to explore.
• Manage competing priorities while maintaining momentum across multiple assignments.

Maintain accurate information

• Keep candidate, company and market information accurate and up to date within internal systems.
• Produce organised and reliable research that enables senior colleagues to make informed decisions.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with care, discretion and professionalism.

Develop your expertise

• Learn directly from experienced executive search professionals.
• Observe candidate conversations, client meetings and search strategy discussions.
• Develop your commercial knowledge, research skills and professional communication.
• Build the confidence and judgement needed to progress into an Associate position.

Who We’re Looking For:

You could thrive in this programme if you are:

• Highly ambitious: You are motivated to build a successful career, progress quickly and be recognised for producing excellent work.
• Intellectually sharp: You absorb complex information quickly, identify patterns and enjoy making sense of unfamiliar businesses and markets.
• Genuinely interested in executive search: You understand what the profession involves and can clearly explain why it appeals to you.
• Commercially curious: You are interested in how businesses grow, compete, raise investment and build successful leadership teams.
• Research-driven: You enjoy investigating companies, industries and professional backgrounds to uncover relevant information.
• Confident communicating with people: You are comfortable reaching out to prospective candidates and building professional relationships.
• An excellent communicator: You express ideas clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
• Analytical and detail-focused: You can organise information effectively and take pride in producing accurate, high-quality work.
• Resilient: You remain positive and motivated when candidate approaches are unsuccessful or searches become challenging.
• Proactive: You look for answers, suggest solutions and take ownership rather than waiting to be directed.
• Collaborative: You contribute positively to a team and support colleagues when deadlines are tight.
• Accountable: You follow through on commitments and maintain consistently high standards.

Your Background:

You may be a final-year student or recent graduate from any academic discipline.

Previous experience in executive search, recruitment, research or a professional environment would be beneficial but is not essential.

More importantly, you will demonstrate:

• Strong intellectual capability.
• Excellent research and communication skills.
• Commercial awareness.
• Attention to detail.
• Confidence and professionalism.
• A clear understanding of executive search.
• A genuine motivation to build a long-term career within the industry.

Applicants must be:

• Available to begin full-time employment on 1 November 2026.
• Able to accept and sign an offer by 1 October 2026, allowing sufficient time to manage any notice period or existing commitments.
• Able to work on-site at the company’s London office five days per week.
• Legally entitled to work in the UK without employer-sponsored visa support.

The company is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Team Matching:

Candidates will interview for the wider Graduate Analyst programme rather than for one specific industry team.

You will have the opportunity to share any preferences you may have for particular sectors or markets during the recruitment process. These preferences will be considered, but successful candidates will ultimately be matched to the team the business believes is the strongest fit for their skills, interests and available opportunities.

The Interview Process:

The recruitment process consists of three stages:

1. Screening call

An initial conversation with a member of the Learning and Development team.

The call will explore:

• Your background and experience.
• Your motivation for applying.
• Your understanding of executive search.
• Your interest in the Graduate Analyst programme.
• Your availability for the 1 November 2026 start date.
• Your eligibility to work in the UK without sponsorship.

Candidates should research executive search thoroughly before this conversation and be ready to explain how it differs from data analysis and traditional recruitment.

2. Online case study or task

Successful candidates will complete an online case study or practical task designed to assess their:

• Research ability.
• Analytical thinking.
• Commercial judgement.
• Attention to detail.
• Written communication.
• Understanding of the work involved in executive search.

3. Super Day in the London office

The final stage will be an in-person Super Day attended by multiple candidates.

You will complete further assessments, meet members of the wider team and have the opportunity to engage with Managing Directors and other senior leaders from across the business.

Further information and preparation guidance will be provided to candidates invited to each stage.

Equal Opportunities

Our client is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace where people from all backgrounds are valued and respected.

Applications are welcomed from candidates of all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process and employment.

If you are ambitious, commercially curious and serious about building a successful career in executive search, apply now to be considered for the November 2026 intake.