Associate, Healthcare (Private Equity)

Associate Role

Spencer Stuart is seeking to recruit an Associate, Healthcare Practice with a focus on Private Equity. This Associate will have a broad set of responsibilities focused on new business development, expanding existing client relationships, and eventually search execution of C-level and Board Director assignments. In addition, this person will serve as “Chief of Staff” and work closely with Spencer Stuart Partner, Lucinda Stewart. With exposure to a broad set of clients and leadership challenges, this Associate will help to identify new business opportunities, manage and coordinate internal teams to support client activity and develop diverse candidate slates as an essential member of the search team. The Associate role combines research, organization, assessment, and relationship-building skills to deliver extraordinary service and value to Spencer Stuart clients.

Successful candidates for the Associate position will have commercial acumen, strong project management, research and writing skills, results orientation, rigorous attention to details, intellectual curiosity and ideally, an understanding of the healthcare and/or private equity sectors. The Associate will enjoy the challenge of working internally with a variety of consultants, and externally with senior-level executives and board members. This Associate, over time, will be expected to acquire deep and insightful knowledge of the private equity landscape and candidate pools. We anticipate that year one this person will largely focus on new business development, expanding and coordinating activities within existing accounts and Chief of Staff responsibilities.

The Associate will ideally be based in New York but could potentially be in another East Coast city with a Spencer Stuart office presence or Seattle. There is an expectation of being in the office for a minimum of two days a week. In the early stages, it will be beneficial for the individual to spend more time in the office to build relationships, engage with colleagues and participate in the local office community.

Key Responsibilities

New Business Development (~30%)

• Research and idea generation of new account planning, client targeting and market strategy. Help to identify and collaborate on strategy to open new Private Equity accounts (likely with a focus in the mid-market). The initial focus is likely to be in Digital Health, but the goal is to grow clients into multi-industry account coverage.
• Gather relevant information regarding the appropriate industries and target companies. Identify potential prospects and sources and represent the client effectively in the marketplace; validate potential candidates through reference and source calls.
• Partner with the Consultant to develop and present a slate of qualified candidates to each client. Anticipate what needs to drive the search to closure and be prepared to supply additional information, such as related industry/segment trends, market findings, reaction to the opportunity, compensation data, etc., gained during the course of a search.
• Communicate effectively with the Consultant and EEA, and remain fully abreast of search developments, in order to communicate accurately and credibly regarding the assignment.

Chief of Staff Responsibilities (10%)

• Track entire portfolio of work across BD and search execution. Help to identify priorities, key dates, deadlines and team needs. Work closely with EEA to align calendars around priorities and deadlines. Assist with the highest priority items in any given week. This person will be “the glue” between internal teams in how best to serve, expand, identify and open client relationships.
• Improve workflows, tracking systems and processes as needed based on efficiency, effectiveness and feedback from teams. Ensure alignment and coordination with other areas of Spencer Stuart.
• Liaise with PE Strategic Accounts Manager to contribute to and benefit from best practice materials and provide reporting on client status and outcomes for practice tracking.
• Identify key investor targets, track deal activity, support outreach, schedule/attend virtual meetings. Track activity and support Consultant relationships with VP and Principal level investors at both existing and priority targets.
• Manage PNB pipeline of opportunities and status of each. Track qualified leads, conversion rates to search/LAS opportunities/pre-deal, as well as assignment activity and success for current PE accounts managed by Lucinda Stewart. Serve in project manager capacity for PNB prep, taking lead role in mobilizing the team, especially managing internal operations and coordination. Manage the quals process end-to-end and develop best in class materials that will be shared across the PE practice.
• Collaborate with colleagues at Spencer Stuart to identify the best teams for assignments within the firm and research and track the data to know where Spencer's PE search qualifications are exceptional and match this to frame the ideal pitch for new opportunities.
• Help to support identifying opportunities for LAS work in new and existing PE clients and supporting business development efforts through sharing information on the PE account, portfolio, and identified needs with LAS colleagues.

​Expanding Relationships with Current PE Firms (30%)

• To support account expansion and coverage with select clients, this role will track Lucinda Stewart’s PE client portfolio, looking for obvious executive needs on new deals, potential LAS opportunities, and help manage Pre-Deal effort if / when they launch. They will conduct background research and prepare quals prior to meetings with deal MDs within client firms and would work closely with Lucinda to match PE deal members with the appropriate Spencer Stuart colleagues, tracking activity and ensuring strong communication for all working within client.
• Conduct market research and analysis to identify trends within the private equity landscape, providing insight and recommendations for clients regarding potential talent acquisition and leadership strategies.

Search Execution (~30% approx. after year one)

• Serve as Associate on select CEO, P&L/GM, board and CFO roles for digital technology companies; may need to provide additional support for select assignments in new PE relationships to ensure success.
• Contribute actively to the start-up phase of each search by participating in client kick-off meetings with the Consultant and assisting in the development of the position specification, search strategy and target list of companies. As the search progresses, effectively manage each progress milestone and client updates.
• Follow up on BD opportunities by working with EEA to schedule meetings, pitch strategy and preparation, production of materials, ensure the entire pitch team is prepared, and track follow up/success rate.
• Manage Lucinda’s BD contact and touchpoint list; project manages BD initiatives where Lucinda is lead Consultant. Assist with IC development; serve as liaison with Marketing team to plan and project manage effort.
• Organize convening events which could be on the investor side or with C-level executives on specific topics of interest. Facilitate events from end to end, including planning, logistics, and follow up.

Ideal Experience

• 4 years of progressive business experience in an expert network, executive search, strategy consulting, or a relevant professional services environment with significant time spent focusing on business development.
• Advancement of skills and knowledge evidenced through promotion or tenure.
• Superior project management skills demonstrated through experience working in a high-performance environment where multiple projects and competing demands are the norm.
• Excellent communication skills shown through clear, structured and concise written and verbal presentation.
• Undergraduate degree required, post-graduate degree a plus.

The base compensation range for this position is $100k –$120k per year. The actual base compensation offered within this range will be dependent on the individual’s skills, experiences, and qualifications. This position will be eligible to participate in our annual discretionary bonus program.

Spencer Stuart also offers a competitive benefits package, which includes:

• Retirement savings plan with discretionary profit sharing contribution and employer match;
• PTO (minimum 15 days per year, increases with tenure), paid sick time (10 days per year), company holidays (12 days per year), and paid leaves of absence when applicable;
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, and healthcare flexible spending account;
• Life Insurance, and short-term and long-term disability insurance;
• Wellness benefits, including an employee assistance program, virtual mental health program, and mindfulness program; and
• Voluntary benefit options, including supplemental life insurance, identity theft protection, and whole life insurance with long-term care and critical illness coverage.

To see and hear more about our organization, its culture and values, as well as what it’s like to work at Spencer Stuart, please visit https://www.spencerstuart.com/who-we-are/careers-at-spencer-stuart

In order to be considered for this role you must complete an application on Spencer Stuart's website. We will not be able to consider your candidacy unless an application is received.

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, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any basis prohibited under applicable federal, state or local law.