Research Assistant

We are building a high-impact Executive Search Practice focused on leadership hiring for Global Capability Centers (GCCs).

As a Research Associate, you will act as a critical enabler to the Principal driving research, market intelligence, talent mapping, and creating high-quality search deliverables for senior leadership mandates across India and global markets.

This is a career-accelerating role for someone who wants to become a Research Lead, Engagement Manager, or future Consultant in Executive Search.

Key Responsibilities

1. Talent Research & Market Mapping

• Conduct deep-dive research to identify leadership and niche talent across India, APAC, US and EMEA.
• Create structured longlists for roles such as Director, VP, Head of Engineering, Head of Product, Data Science Lead, CISO, COO, FP&A Head, and other GCC leadership roles.
• Map org structures of target companies.
• Track talent movements, leadership shifts, promotions, and competitor expansion trends.

2. Strategic Talent Intelligence & Insights

• Build leadership talent heatmaps across target industry and capability.
• Prepare compensation benchmarks for midsenior level and leadership roles.
• Analyse talent supply/demand trends in the India GCC ecosystem.
• Develop research-backed insights, leadership reports, and market snapshots for client presentations.

3. Research Ops & Process Excellence

• Continuously improve sourcing frameworks, research methodologies, and market databases.
• Ensure 100% compliance, data accuracy, and process discipline.
• Contribute to building best practices and playbooks for the new ES practice.

Key Skills & Competencies

Must-Have Skills

• 25 years of experience in Executive Search / Talent Research / Leadership Sourcing / Market Intelligence
• Strong Boolean search, LinkedIn Recruiter, Naukri, social sourcing skills
• Ability to map, segment & categorize senior talent pools
• Excellent written communication, crisp profile summaries & insights
• Strong analytical and market research capability
• High attention to detail & data accuracy

Preferred Experience

• Exposure to leadership, niche, or confidential hiring
• Experience working with senior stakeholders or TA/HR Leaders

Personal Attributes

• High ownership and reliability
• Professional maturity & discretion
• Research-driven thinker
• Calm, structured, and deadline-oriented
• Learner mindset; comfortable with fast-paced environments

Why Join Us?

• Build the Executive Search practice from ground zero with the Principal
• Direct exposure to CXOs, GCC Heads, TA Leaders & global stakeholders
• Fast-track career to Research Lead / Engagement Manager
• Work in a high-trust, high-growth, advisory-led environment
• Opportunity to become one of the founding members of a flagship practice at Collabera