Job Summary

The Senior Consultant, Executive Search – Academic Medicine partners with leading academic medical centers, health systems, and schools of medicine to deliver retained executive search solutions across clinical, academic, and administrative leadership roles. This individual owns both the business development and execution of executive searches, serving as a trusted advisor to senior academic and healthcare leaders.

The Senior Consultant leads all phases of the search lifecycle—from origination and client consultation through candidate assessment, selection, and placement—while bringing deep insight into the complexities of academic medicine, including physician leadership, faculty appointments, governance structures, and institutional culture. This role is actively sought out during the business development phase for strategic input, market intelligence, and credibility with executive‑level academic stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Client Advisory

• Identify, pursue, and successfully sell retained executive search engagements and advisory solutions to new and existing academic medical center, health system, and medical school clients.
• Partner with senior academic and healthcare leaders (e.g., Deans, CEOs, CMOs, Chairs, Department Chiefs) to understand institutional priorities and provide consultative recruitment solutions.
• Participate in proposal development, client presentations, and pitch meetings, leveraging market knowledge of academic medicine leadership.
   

Search Strategy & Execution

• Lead and execute full‑cycle executive searches, including intake, search strategy development, candidate identification, assessment, and offer negotiation.
• Collaborate with clients to develop a comprehensive recruiting strategy, including target institutions, peer academic organizations, leadership benchmarks, and diversity considerations.
• Conduct in‑depth intake meetings and synthesize requirements related to academic rank, faculty appointment structures, research expectations, clinical operations, and governance.
• Provide regular, high‑quality status updates and market insights to clients throughout the engagement.

Candidate Engagement & Assessment

• Identify, recruit, and engage senior leader and physician executive candidates, ensuring a high‑touch, consultative candidate experience.
• Conduct detailed assessments of candidates’ academic credentials, leadership experience, clinical background, research portfolio, and institutional fit.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to candidates navigating academic medicine leadership transitions.

Relationship Management & Thought Leadership

• Build and maintain long‑term client relationships that result in repeat engagements and expanded partnerships.
• Provide market intelligence and thought leadership on executive talent trends within academic medicine.
• Collaborate closely with internal search teams to drive exceptional client and candidate outcomes.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional interpersonal and consultative communication skills; able to influence and build credibility with senior academic and physician leaders
• Demonstrated ability to assess complex executive, physician, and academic leadership profiles
• Strong business development mindset with the ability to identify opportunities and close retained engagements
• Strategic thinker with the ability to quickly grasp new subject matter and institutional dynamics
• Highly organized with strong project management and execution skills
• Self‑directed, entrepreneurial, and comfortable operating with autonomy in a team‑based environment

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Associate’s Degree with 5–7 years of experience in Academic Executive Search and business development
• High School Diploma/GED with 7–9 years of Academic Executive Search and business development

Preferred Experience

• Executive search experience within academic medicine, healthcare, or higher education
• Direct experience recruiting C‑suite, physician, and senior academic leaders (e.g., Deans, Chairs, CMOs, Chiefs)
• Proven track record working with large academic medical centers, teaching hospitals, or schools of medicine