Job Description
About Us
Taylor Osborne is an executive search firm built on rigorous research and transparent methodology. We offer executive search, talent mapping, and market intelligence to organisations that need intelligence-led hiring — from FTSE 100s to fast-growing scale-ups. We deliver searches and talent maps for organisations including Unilever, Wellcome Trust, and Johnson Matthey.
We work differently from most firms. Our model is project-fee based, not commission-driven — which means our focus is entirely on quality of work and long-term client relationships. Clients own all the IP we generate, our pricing is transparent, and we operate as genuine partners and extensions of internal TA teams rather than transactional suppliers.
We are a growing boutique, which means contribution is visible, work is meaningful, and there is real client access from day one.
The Role
You will lead research across executive search, talent mapping, and market insights — from day-to-day delivery to full project ownership. Working closely with the Managing Director as their number two, you will be a senior client-facing presence: running briefings, managing relationships, delivering updates, and contributing to the thinking that drives excellent engagements. You will support key client relationships alongside the MD, step in where needed, and help ensure every client experiences the quality and partnership approach we are known for.
In practice, that means:
* Leading projects end-to-end across search, mapping, and market insights
* Developing search strategies and building target lists of companies and candidates
* Identifying and engaging prospects, and conducting candidate interviews and assessments
* Writing position specifications and progress reports for clients
* Taking client briefs, translating them into research strategies, and executing independently
* Managing client communication and running calls as projects progress
* Documenting candidate qualifications, references, and market intelligence
* Guiding and supporting the team and associates who work with us, setting quality standards and helping them develop their delivery
* Quality-assuring outputs across the team
This is a senior role with genuine autonomy. You will influence how we deliver, help shape the capability of the wider team, and receive full credit for the work you lead.
What you'll need
The essential requirement is the ability to deliver research with confidence and credibility, and to engage directly with senior stakeholders including CHROs, Heads of TA, and C-suite clients. That might mean you have come from an executive search agency. It might mean you have worked in an in-house role. We care more about research rigour, commercial judgement, and client presence than the specific route taken to get here.
* You will typically have three or more years of experience in executive search or senior talent roles.
* The ability to manage your own projects and client relationships with minimal oversight.
* Confidence working on assignments with an international dimension, engaging candidates and stakeholders across multiple geographies.
* Experience working across sectors — whether business and financial services, consumer, industrial, or similar — and the ability to get up to speed quickly in new markets.
* Commercial instinct — understanding what clients actually need, not just what they ask for.
* Confidence engaging at senior levels, whether running a briefing call or challenging a brief where appropriate.
Useful, but genuinely not required:
* Experience building or scaling research functions
* Sector expertise you could eventually lead on as we grow
Practicalities
* Reporting to the Managing Director
* Based in Leatherhead — we work from the office four days a week as our norm and would consider three for the right person.
* Salary: Dependent on experience, plus competitive benefits
How to apply
* To apply or to have an initial conversation, please contact Jules directly at jtaylor@taylorosborne.co.uk The process will involve face-to-face interviews with Julia and the wider team.