Senior Associate

Currently we have developed deeper functional and industry-based expertise, particularly in 
Technology & Digital, Supply Chain, Energy & Utilities, Consumer & Retail, Life Sciences, 
Financial Services, Technology Officers, HR Officers, Financial Officers, Marketing Officers and 
Risk and Compliance. These specializations allow us to better solve the diverse talent needs of our 
marketplace.

The role of Associate/Senior/Managing Associate is critical for the identification and 
development of candidates for executive search projects, as well as assisting with market 
intelligence and development of presentations and documents for business development purposes. 

We strongly believe in developing our own talent and often a vacant role is due to one of our 
talented Senior Associate’s promotion to Principal. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROLE:

Working closely with engagement teams which can include Research Analysts, other 
Associates/Senior Associates, Principals and Partners, the primary responsibilities of the 
Associate/Senior Associate are to: 

• Provide engagement execution support to the client and the team. 
• Manage the various stages of the search process to always ensure the highest quality execution of client engagement. 
• Lead the identification, qualification, and communication with candidates during the search 
  engagement and informing the partner of progress and issues. 
• Capture and maintain accurate market, client, and candidate information in the company’s 
  systems so as to both facilitate the search process and help convert business development 
  opportunities. 
• Inform the engagement team of any potential business development opportunities identified 
  through the execution of the search process and support the appropriate partner in its 
  conversion. 

ROLE COMPETENCIES AND SUCCESS FACTORS:

The Associate/Senior/Managing Associate position at Korn Ferry is viewed as a critical position in 
identifying, qualifying, attracting, and managing candidates through the search process. Successful 
Associates/Senior/Managing Associates could advance within the firm to the Principal/Partner
level, where they will be responsible for generating new business and revenue. Associates/Senior 
Associates/Managing Associates will develop skills and competencies through three “levels” before 
being ready to progress within the firm.

These levels are:

LEVEL ONE CRITICAL COMPETENCIES AND SUCCESS FACTORS:
A “level one” Associate/Senior Associate has exposure to various parts of the search process, 
principally focusing on:

• Research: Participate in the creation of the source list/research strategy.
• Candidate Development: Mapping the market; calling/recruiting appropriate candidates; 
  relevant market sourcing; preparing reports.
• Referencing: Limited exposure/input in referencing as directed by the Partner.
• Data Capture: Collecting and entering appropriate information for the database; ensuring 
  highest quality standards.
• Report Preparation: Assisting Partner/Project Coordinator in creation of client facing 
  documentation (candidate appraisals, reference reports, search progress reports). 

LEVEL TWO CRITICAL COMPETENCIES AND SUCCESS FACTORS:
A “level two” Senior Associate has more exposure throughout the search and is expected to lead 
elements of the process, supporting the consultant. The role broadens out to focus on:

• Research: Create the source list/research strategy, for agreement with the Partner/Client.
• Candidate Outreach and Development: Full responsibility for the generation of relevant 
  candidates for the project.
• Candidate Management: Support the Partner with communication and coordination with candidates (with the aid of PC logistical support).
• Participation in interviews and referencing.
• Use of KF Assessment products to devise competencies for a role and learn to benchmark 
  candidates against them.
• Report Preparation: Assist/lead the creation of client facing documentation.
• Client Participation: Involvement in project kick off meetings as well as project update/progress 
  calls.

LEVEL THREE CRITICAL COMPETENCIES AND SUCCESS FACTORS:
The “level three” Senior/Managing Associate is viewed as a high performer by the wider firm. They 
are expected to manage the search process end to end as well as supporting business 
development. A “level three” Senior/Managing Associate is expected to:

• Research: Lead/coordinate (managing Research Associates) the research process.
• Candidate Outreach and Development: Lead candidate development across multiple projects.
• Teach/Support Research Associates to develop.
• Candidate Management: Support the Partner with communication and coordination with 
  Candidates (with the aid of PC logistical support).
• Conducts interviews and referencing.
• Experienced user of KF assessment products and could interpret assessment reports and 
  benchmark against role competencies.
• Report Preparation: Lead and own the creation of reports; including writing the position spec 
  and candidate reports.
• Client Participation: Business development support and participation. 
  Involvement at kick off meetings; lead/support on progress calls and meetings.
• By "Level three" Senior Associates will have the awareness and the proven ability to lead and 
  complete a commercial transaction; this will involve the identification of the opportunity and an 
  understanding of how to convert it into beneficial commercial terms.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

• The successful candidate will have three to seven years of professional experience and ideally, 
  will have had exposure to one or more industries. 
• In addition to having excellent communication skills, (oral, written and listening), the candidate 
  must possess the ability to make presentations at the executive levels of client companies. 
  The ability to manage multiple projects effectively and efficiently is most important.
• The ideal candidate must be self-confident and self-motivated, dynamic, accomplished, and 
  viewed as an individual who can advance within Korn Ferry.
• Successful candidates will have good judgment and possess superior interpersonal and 
  evaluative skills.
• They will take direction well, be detail oriented and able to work well to tight deadlines.
  They will have a relentless sense of ownership and urgency.
• The Associate/Senior Associate/Managing Associate will be as comfortable working 
  independently as they are part of a team.

EDUCATION & SKILLS:
An undergraduate degree or equivalent is required; an MBA or other advanced degree or 
equivalent is advantageous.