CLM Search
Senior Recruitment Consultant

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Senior Recruitment Consultant
Principal Consultant – Defence Manufacturing & Advanced Systems Location London HQ Reporting To CEO About CLM Search CLM Search is a specialist executive search firm operating across Manufacturing, Energy and Technology. With offices in London, Austin and Rabat, we support organisations at the forefront of innovation by identifying and securing the leaders who drive growth, transformation and competitive advantage. Our Defence capability sits within our Manufacturing business and focuses on supporting organisations developing the next generation of defence technologies, platforms and systems. As part of our continued growth, we are looking for an experienced Principal Consultant to help build and scale our Defence Manufacturing & Advanced Systems practice. The Opportunity This is a rare opportunity to join a growing executive search business and work directly alongside the CEO and founders to build a market-leading Defence practice. You will be given ownership of a specialist Defence vertical and the freedom to develop your market strategy, build client relationships and establish yourself as a recognised expert within your niche. We are looking for someone with a genuine hunter mentality who enjoys creating opportunities, winning new business and building long-term partnerships. This role offers significant autonomy and responsibility, but also accountability. We expect our consultants to operate with an ownership mindset and take responsibility for driving growth within their market. For the right individual, there is a clear pathway towards leadership and the opportunity to build and lead a specialist team as the practice expands. Key Responsibilities Develop and grow a specialist Defence market vertical Generate and convert new business opportunities Build relationships with senior leaders across Defence organisations Deliver retained and contingent executive search assignments Establish yourself as a recognised market expert Produce valuable market intelligence and industry insights Build a strong personal brand within your chosen niche Collaborate with leadership to define and execute growth strategies Support the development of future team members
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Markets We Cover Land Systems Precision Fires Armoured Vehicles Ground-Based Sensors Command & Control
Aerospace & Air Systems Air-to-Air Missiles Air-to-Surface Effectors Surveillance & Reconnaissance Radar & Targeting Systems Aircraft Platforms
Naval Systems Surface Vessels Maritime Sensors Mine Neutralisation Systems Advanced Weapons Systems Naval Command & Control
Advanced Defence Technologies Ammunition Electronics Drones & Counter-UAS Interceptors Unmanned Systems
About You You are a highly competitive and commercially driven recruiter who enjoys building markets and winning new business. You have a strong understanding of Defence manufacturing environments and are motivated by becoming the leading recruiter within your chosen niche. You are: A proven hunter Entrepreneurial and ambitious Highly resilient Commercially focused Accountable for your results Passionate about building market expertise Collaborative and team-oriented Motivated by long-term career growth


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Experience Required Minimum 2-3 years recruitment or executive search experience within Defence Proven billing track record within Defence markets Strong business development capability Deep understanding of Defence Manufacturing and Advanced Systems Experience across EMEA and/or North America Established Defence network preferred Previous mentoring experience advantageous
Why Join CLM Search? Direct access to the CEO and founders Opportunity to help build a strategic growth area of the business Ownership of your own specialist market vertical Significant autonomy and responsibility Clear pathway to leadership and team-building opportunities International platform spanning Europe, North America and MENA Entrepreneurial, high-performance culture Uncapped earning potential Opportunity to become a recognised Defence market expert
If you are looking for the opportunity to build a market, shape a practice and play a key role in the growth of an ambitious executive search business, we would love to hear from you.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
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