Associate, Industrial Practice

Spencer Stuart is seeking an Associate for the Industrial Practice in the Italian Office. This role supports CEO and C‑level executive searches across multiple sectors, developing a specialization over time. Associate responsibilities include project management, candidate research, assessment, sourcing, validation, and relationship building to deliver outstanding service to clients.

Ideal location is Milan or Rome with minimum three days in office per week.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute actively to the start‑up phase of each search by participating in client kick‑off meetings, developing position specifications, search strategy and target list of companies.
• Assist in winning client pitches by providing benchmark candidate profiles and related background information.
• Gather relevant industry and target company information, identify prospects and sources, and represent the client in the marketplace.
• Validate potential candidates through reference and source calls.
• Partner with the Consultant to develop and present a slate of qualified candidates, anticipating what drives the search to closure and supplying additional information such as industry trends, market findings, compensation data, etc.
• Contribute to the preparation of position specifications, candidate presentations and reference reports following the Firm’s assessment methodology.
• Communicate effectively with the team, including Consultants, Associates, Senior Associates and Executive Assistants, and keep abreast of search developments.
• Prepare organized information for client progress reports/meetings and provide informed perspectives on prospects/candidates and their fit.
• Stay aware of industry sector activities and management changes, keeping team members updated on relevant developments.
• Add to the firm’s candidate pool by continuously identifying and introducing new talent.
• Ensure up‑to‑date assignment, company and candidate information remains available to colleagues using the firm’s proprietary database.
• Contribute to responses to inquiries for new business and participate in business‑development initiatives.
• Be proactive in contributing to local, practice or firm‑wide initiatives; coordinate and share practice‑related information with colleagues for broader distribution.
• Adopt and adhere to firm policies on candidate validation, documentation and assessment, demonstrating professional behavior and the Firm’s values.

Ideal Profile

• 3+ years of progressive business experience in executive search, recruiting, talent acquisition, strategy, or a relevant consulting/professional services environment.
• Domain expertise in an industry or functional area is a plus.
• Demonstrated advancement of skills and knowledge through promotion or tenure.
• Superior project‑management skills demonstrated in a high‑performance environment with multiple projects and competing demands.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Undergraduate degree required; postgraduate degree preferred with strong academic performance.
• Fluency in spoken and written Italian and English.
• International mindset and experience working across borders.

Critical Capabilities for Success

• Problem solving and intellectual curiosity.
• Project management.
• Market and candidate knowledge.
• Credibility and ability to influence; mature presence and relationship building.
• Collaborativeness, team orientation and drive to results, with strong attention to detail.
• Self‑development and openness to feedback.

Reports to: Research Director. Key relationships: Consultants, Associates, Executive Assistants, Office Manager, Industrial Practice leader, and other practice stakeholders.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Spencer Stuart is a proud equal‑opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are committed to non‑discrimination without regard to actual or perceived race, ethnicity, creed, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, immigration status, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any basis prohibited under applicable federal, state or local law. Applicants to and employees of this company are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases.
Spencer Stuart is an equal employment opportunity / affirmative action employer and provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures.