Senior Recruitment Consultant / Principal Consultant / Associate Director
US Market – Finance (Private Equity & Commerce & Industry)
UK-based | 🇺🇸 US Market Focus
The Opportunity
We are partnering with a high-performing, values-led SME recruitment business that is scaling its US-facing capability and is now looking to appoint a proven recruitment professional with deep knowledge of the US finance market, particularly across Private Equity–backed businesses and Commerce & Industry.
This is a core, business-critical hire, not a backfill, not a “bums on seats” role. The successful individual will step into a warm desk with live, engaged US clients, while also having the autonomy and support to build and own their market long-term.
If you are fed up with rigid KPIs, micromanagement, and short-term thinking, and want to work in an environment that values delivery, trust, and grown-up conversations, this role is designed for you.
The Role
You will take ownership of a US-focused recruitment desk, primarily covering senior finance appointments into Private Equity-backed and Commerce & Industry businesses.
While the immediate focus is Chicago and Florida, there is genuine scope to expand across other US regions and adjacent white-collar sectors, provided you bring strong commercial awareness and a solid understanding of how the US market operates.
This is a 360 role with a heavy emphasis on:
* High-quality client relationships
* Senior-level delivery
* Strategic business development (not volume cold-calling)
Key Responsibilities
* Manage and grow a warm US client base, with immediate revenue potential
* Deliver senior finance hires including:
* Financial Controller
* VP Finance
* Head of Finance
* CFO
* FP&A leadership roles
* Develop new business across Chicago, Florida, and wider US markets
* Act as a trusted advisor to PE-backed and C&I clients
* Run full recruitment processes end-to-end (role scoping, search, shortlist, offer management)
* Contribute to the strategic direction of the US desk
* Mentor or support junior team members as the desk grows (if desired)
What We’re Looking For
Essential
* Minimum 3+ years’ experience in agency recruitment
* Proven experience working the US market from the UK
* Strong track record placing senior finance professionals
* Background in Private Equity and/or Commerce & Industry
* Evidence of consistent billing performance
* Comfortable operating autonomously and commercially
Desirable
* Experience covering Chicago and/or Florida markets
* Exposure to retained or exclusive assignments
* Player/manager experience or leadership aspirations
* Experience recruiting into other white-collar US sectors (e.g. tech, ops, commercial leadership)
The Culture & Environment
This business is built on trust, quality, and long-term relationships, not vanity metrics.
* No aggressive KPI culture
* No pointless call stats
* No micromanagement
Instead, you’ll find:
* A grown-up, high-performance environment
* Strong operational and delivery support
* Flexibility in how you run your desk
* A leadership team that genuinely backs its people
This is a place where good recruiters are left to recruit.
What’s On Offer
* Warm desk with live US clients
* Competitive base salary + strong, uncapped commission
* Clear progression into leadership or desk ownership
* Long-term opportunity within a scaling SME
* Autonomy, flexibility, and genuine work-life balance
* The chance to build something meaningful, not just hit a number
Who This Role Is Perfect For
* A high-performing recruiter feeling boxed in by KPIs
* A US market specialist who wants ownership and influence
* A biller ready to step into a lead role within an SME
* Someone who values culture, credibility, and quality delivery