About Stock Executive Search

Stock Executive Search is a high-touch, independent executive search firm based in Washington, DC, working at the intersection of leadership, ideas, and impact. We partner with some of the country’s most respected educational institutions, philanthropies, and mission-driven organizations to help them find transformational talent.

While we bring the discipline and standards of the global firms, we operate with the agility and entrepreneurial spirit of a boutique. We are a small, fast-moving practice where we will expect this new hire to gain direct responsibility for candidate development, client work, and firm-building initiatives from day one.

Because we are lean by design, every team member plays a broad role. This position combines substantive search execution (research, sourcing, candidate engagement, client materials) with essential operations and administrative responsibilities (scheduling, systems, finance, and process management). For the right person, this is an opportunity to see all sides of how an executive search practice runs, and to help shape the firm’s growth from the ground up.

If you bring avid attention to detail, excellent judgment, and the drive to anticipate and solve problems before they happen—and if you want to see the impact of your work across multiple organizations working to make the world a better place—you’ll thrive here.

We take our work, but not ourselves, seriously. At SES you’ll find an environment that values judgment, integrity, precision, and initiative, and a path that offers faster growth, greater exposure, and stronger upside than larger firms can provide. Together, we will build something meaningful.

Job Overview

Stock Executive Search seeks a highly motivated and exceptionally organized Associate to play a central role in both executing retained searches and managing the firm’s internal operations. The position blends substantive search responsibilities—research, sourcing, candidate engagement, and client deliverables—with essential operations and administrative work that keeps a boutique firm running at a high level.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone with 2–4 years of experience in executive search (or comparable) who is eager to take on greater responsibility than at a large firm. You will gain direct exposure to clients and national search projects from day one, while also learning the infrastructure and business side of an entrepreneurial practice. The right candidate will bring excellent judgment, sharp attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-performance environment.

Key Responsibilities

Search Execution & Client Delivery

Lead and support candidate sourcing, outreach, and background research
Draft polished, client-ready candidate summaries, briefs, and search documents
Manage scheduling and logistics for interviews, client meetings, and status updates across multiple time zones and stakeholder groups
Maintain search databases, trackers, and pipelines (CRM/ATS) with accuracy and discipline
Support search intake, proposal development, and client communications
Join client calls and strategy sessions, gaining early exposure to client-facing work

Operations & Firm Infrastructure

Manage elements of the founder’s calendar, meeting prep, email triage, and occasional travel logistics
Organize and maintain firm templates, digital files, contracts, and brand assets
Oversee invoicing, payments, and follow-ups, ensuring smooth financial operations
Help implement and refine internal systems (CRM/ATS, project management, LinkedIn Recruiter, scheduling tools)
Coordinate and support firm communications, including the LinkedIn profile and other digital presence
Assist with confidential communications among clients and candidates with the highest degree of discretion
Serve as a thought partner on new processes and approaches as the firm grows

Business Development & Market Growth

Conduct research on prospective clients, organizations, and networks
Contribute to the creation of customized proposals, pitch materials, and outreach campaigns
Maintain and refine firm contact lists, templates, and business development trackers
Support occasional convenings or events, both in-person and virtual
Play an active role in building the infrastructure that drives firm growth

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and 2–4 years of recruiting experience, ideally in a retained executive search firm (e.g., Heidrick & Struggles, Spencer Stuart, Korn Ferry, Russell Reynolds, or similar).
Proven ability to handle end-to-end search support: candidate sourcing, research, client deliverables, and process management.
Exceptional attention to detail paired with strong writing, communication, and project management skills.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, proactively solve problems, and manage shifting priorities.
High level of discretion, maturity, and interpersonal finesse—the role requires daily interaction with senior leaders and confidential information.
Comfort with fast turnaround times, ambiguity, and high expectations in a lean, entrepreneurial environment.
Strong technical fluency: Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar) and Microsoft Office; proficiency in LinkedIn Recruiter and familiarity with CRMs/ATS (Clockwork, Salesforce, or similar). Experience with RocketReach, Bill.com, and similar tools is a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Base salary of $70,000 – $100,000 annually, commensurate with experience and location
Incentives: Eligibility for performance-based bonuses and discretionary profit-sharing tied to firm and individual success
Health & Wellness: Health reimbursement or stipend options available
Flexibility: Hybrid or remote work environment; Washington, DC–area candidates will have a slight advantage
Professional Development: Direct mentorship from the founder and early exposure to high-level client strategy and national search projects
Growth Path: Significant opportunities for increased responsibility, compensation, and advancement as the firm scales

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and a brief cover note to the link here outlining your interest in the role and how your experience aligns with Stock Executive Search’s mission and operating style. Note that we will be very deliberate about hiring.

Stock Executive Search

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