Tribeca Recruitment
Research Associate / Senior Research Associate – Higher Education
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Research Associate / Senior Research Associate – Higher Education & Leadership Search
Location: Central London (Hybrid – typically 3 days in the office, 2 days from home, with flexibility)
Salary: £36,500 + bonus
Are you an experienced researcher looking to apply your search skills in a sector where your work has genuine purpose and long-term impact?
We’re working with a highly respected global executive search firm that is looking to strengthen its Higher Education practice by hiring a Research Associate or Senior Research Associate. This is an opportunity to work on retained, board-level search assignments that help shape the leadership of universities and other mission-driven organisations.
The Opportunity
You’ll partner closely with experienced Consultants and Partners, supporting the delivery of retained executive search assignments across the higher education sector. Every project is bespoke, intellectually engaging and focused on appointing exceptional leaders into organisations that have a significant societal impact.
Assignments typically include:
- Vice-Chancellors and Presidents
- Pro Vice-Chancellors and Deans
- Chief Operating Officers
- Chief Financial Officers
- Chief Information Officers
- Board-level appointments
- Governors and Non-Executive positions
- Other senior leadership appointments across Higher Education
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What You’ll Be Doing
- Conducting detailed market mapping and executive research
- Identifying and engaging senior leadership talent
- Producing high-quality candidate reports and market intelligence
- Supporting retained search projects from launch through to completion
- Working closely with Partners throughout the full search process
- Building long-term relationships with senior academics and executive leaders
- Contributing to one of the firm’s most respected specialist practices
Why This Opportunity?
- Join a genuinely purpose-driven organisation where your work contributes to improving leadership across education and research institutions.
- Work exclusively on retained executive search assignments with significant strategic impact.
- Be part of a globally recognised search firm with an outstanding reputation and international career opportunities.
- Receive structured training, mentoring and continuous professional development from experienced search professionals.
- Clear progression pathways, whether your ambition is to become a senior researcher, move into consulting, develop within project leadership or explore opportunities across different practice areas internationally.
- Collaborative, supportive culture with exposure to high-profile assignments and senior clients from day one.
- Hybrid working with flexibility and a strong emphasis on work-life balance.
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About You
You’ll likely have experience within executive search or recruitment research and enjoy delivering thoughtful, high-quality work.
You’ll bring:
- Previous experience as a Research Associate, Senior Research Associate or Executive Search Researcher
- Strong research and market mapping capability
- Excellent written communication and report writing skills
- Confidence engaging with senior-level executives
- Curiosity, intellectual rigour and attention to detail
- A genuine interest in working within a purpose-driven sector where appointments have lasting impact
If you’re looking to move towards retained, strategic executive search within an organisation that invests heavily in its people and offers genuine long-term career development, this is an excellent opportunity to do so.
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