Job Description

NorthWind Partners is a Top 50 board & executive search, selection, assessment & development firm with over a century and a half of cumulative experience working with investors, boards, and enterprise leaders across private equity, business services, healthcare, manufacturing / industrials, and technology.

NorthWind is currently looking to bring an Associate on board to fulfill a critical infrastructure position that will allow the firm to continue an unmatched track record of successful retained search execution with clients. This key team member will be joining a highly collegial organization that promotes a culture of open-handed collaboration and charges every level of the firm with genuine mentorship. The Associate role will report to the Partner in charge of delivery and work directly with colleagues across the firm, on a project basis, to participate in all facets of the business to include detailed research and market analysis, search delivery, business development support, client relationship development, and introduction of other human capital services to clients. This role will also have entrée to critical client meetings as well as relevant market events and conferences, which may, at some juncture, require travel.

We recognize that Associates are the foundation of our work. Because they play such a critical component in all endeavors, we have a defined training methodology and apprentice-based development program for this role. Successful associates will definitely have and should anticipate an opportunity to advance within the firm. NorthWind is one of very few lock-step partnerships in the executive advisory space that maintains a defined path to becoming an equity partner where members share equivalently in the profitability and success of the firm. We like growing our own leaders. NorthWind is committed to recognizing potential, cultivating professional abilities, and rewarding success. The goal is to develop high-functioning advisors whose expertise and reputation are unmatched in markets and industry. We strive to exhibit a culture of servant leadership, which fosters loyalty and trust amongst team members. NorthWind is intentionally designed as a lock-step partnership to provide a path to ownership participation for high-performing team members. Life is too short to spend in an environment where the incentive structure caters to self-preservation by design. Finally, NorthWind has also established a standalone investment entity to offer team members at the firm an opportunity to invest/co-invest alongside the firm’s private equity clients as well as in other alternative investment possibilities to which they might not otherwise have access.

Specific responsibilities and opportunities include but are not limited to the following:

• Participation in the full lifecycle of the executive search, selection, and assessment process including research, market analysis, candidate identification/contact/courting, interviews, client and candidate updates, in-person client meetings as appropriate, and other selected client deliverables (such as position specifications, status reports, candidate reports, etc.).
• Develop and lead a research strategy and plan in coordination with Senior Associates, Directors, and Partners.
• Assist Senior Associates, Directors, and Partners with business development & client management efforts.
• Serve as an expert in the research process including knowledge of sources, industries/markets, organizational structures, and companies. Utilize publicly available, subscription-based, and proprietary database resources, social media, and other channels and sources.
• Assist with candidate development and assessment and business development support.
• Maintain quality and real-time updates in our dynamic, cloud-based platform.
• Communicate effectively with candidates, clients and team members.
• Assist in identifying and implementing innovative approaches and best practices across the organization.
• Help maintain consistency across the organization with regard to process and quality.
• ü Participate in the identification of high potential talent for internal possibilities, potential business development opportunities, market trends, and competitive information.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE /QUALIFICATIONS

It is meaningful to note that candidates who possess sales or business development (to prospects and clients at an executive level) or management consulting experience tend to thrive in this role.

The ideal candidate will possess many of the following specific qualifications and experiences:

·  Minimum of four years of experience in a professional environment. Ideally, candidate will have had exposure to one or more of the industries/markets/functions that the firm focuses in such as: Aerospace, Defense, Healthcare, Professional Services or Technology. We work in an environment that demands thorough market research and diligence on targets as well as frequent communication and interaction with senior executives in the marketplace i.e. Corporate Executive Board, Advisory Board Company, etc. Notably, military veterans possess a tendency to thrive in our environment due to high team orientation on projects and the work ethic of the culture.

· In addition to having excellent communication skills (oral, written and listening), the candidate must possess the ability to make presentations at the executive or board levels of client companies.

· The aptitude to achieve scalability quickly as the role requires an ability to independently manage research and/or early stage recruiting and effectively deliver results across multiple projects effectively simultaneously.

· Successful candidates will be highly motivated, have good judgment and possess superior interpersonal and evaluative skills. He/She will take direction and constructive counsel or criticism well, is detail oriented, able to work well under pressure, and meet or exceed milestones and deadlines.

· Evident desire to build authentic, meaningful relationships internally and externally; being in the business of people requires this natural passion for effectiveness and longevity

· Proven ability to effectively, intuitively, and professionally interact with client executives from organizations of various sizes and cultures.

· High degree of aptitude with social media tools to include LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

· Proven ability to handle confidential information with integrity.

· Proven ability to work independently with minimal direction and supervision to multi-task, with strong attention to detail and exceptional time management skills

· Friendly and professional appearance and demeanor required with positive attitude and willingness to lead and partner with other staff members; while exceeding expectations in supporting team objectives

· Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office products, Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook required; technologically savvy and adaptable.

· Willingness to travel to other offices and client sites as necessary

· The Associate will thrive in a team-oriented environment.

· The ideal candidate must be self-confident, self-motivated, resourceful, dynamic, and strategic-minded. Every candidate NorthWind will consider must be a coachable, flexible individual with tremendous work ethic who can accomplish the tasks and targets set before them.

CHARACTERISTICS REQUIRED FOR SUCCESS & ADVANCEMENT

· With full accountability for results in a management consulting environment, he/she must possess tremendous work ethic and be willing to exert themselves over sustained periods of time to accomplish their professional and personal goals while maintaining a strong level of mutual respect for peers, colleagues, and direct reports.

· A bias for action in an engaging and relational manner and an orientation towards solving rather than identifying problems is a preferred characteristic of the ideal candidate.

· The candidate must exhibit proven professional skills along with the leadership traits and personal characteristics which are necessary for success in professional services. Must also have a demonstrated track record of working effectively in a collaborative organization as NorthWind is a lock-step Partnership and promotes and incentivizes team-based performance.

· Key factors include sound business judgment, keen conceptual skills, intellectual discipline, self-confidence, imagination, and well-developed communication skills. In addition, should possess the personal ambition to play a major role in the growth and success of a search firm with a strong heritage for high quality and responsive service to its clients.

· The successful candidate should have a desire to learn and adopt the full life-cycle search process utilized within a relationship driven boutique search firm and develop a strong knowledge of the business trends within the industries and markets where we provide services.

· They must set the standard for personal integrity, honesty, teamwork, and public accountability so as to motivate the entire team to the highest levels of commitment and personal effort.

· The successful candidate will possess an established professional reputation for excellence in services rendered, and the highest levels of personal integrity.

EDUCATION

An undergraduate degree or equivalent is required. An MBA or master’s degree would be ideal.

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