Principal Consultant - Executive Search

Underwood Executive is a specialist executive search and leadership advisory firm with an established reputation for appointing CEOs, C-suite executives and senior leaders across South Australia. Our success has been built on deep market knowledge, rigorous search and, most importantly, trusted relationships with clients and candidates developed over many years.

We are seeking an experienced executive search consultant or senior talent acquisition professional to join our consulting team and take ownership of a diverse portfolio of executive appointments.

Working in partnership with Boards, CEOs, Directors and executive leadership teams, you will lead assignments from the initial client discussion through to appointment. You will take the time to understand each organisation, its strategy, culture and leadership requirements, shaping an approach that reflects both the immediate brief and the broader context in which the executive will operate.

This is a hands-on consulting role requiring strong judgement, disciplined project delivery and the confidence to provide clear advice. You will lead client briefings, guide research and market-mapping activity, engage senior executives, assess leadership capability and present considered recommendations. Throughout each assignment, you will manage relationships with professionalism, care and discretion, ensuring clients and candidates feel well informed and respected.

You may already be working within executive search, leading complex assignments and advising senior clients. Alternatively, you may be an accomplished internal talent acquisition professional with experience managing executive and critical leadership appointments within a complex corporate environment. In either case, you will understand how to identify and engage senior people who are rarely active in the market, navigate sensitive appointments and assess capability beyond the résumé.

For someone moving from internal talent acquisition, this opportunity offers the chance to apply your executive recruitment experience across a broader range of organisations, industries and leadership challenges. You will need to enjoy building new relationships, adapting quickly to different organisational contexts and taking a visible, advisory role with clients.

You will bring credibility, commercial judgement and a strong understanding of contemporary search and talent acquisition practices. Equally important will be your curiosity, ability to read people and confidence forming and communicating a considered view. You will value long-term relationships and understand that successful search is not simply about filling a vacancy, but achieving the right leadership outcome for the organisation.

At Underwood Executive, you will have the autonomy to lead your own assignments while being supported by an experienced consulting and research team, established systems and a disciplined search process. As a specialist, owner-led firm, we offer direct access to decision-making, meaningful involvement in the business and the opportunity to work closely with some of South Australia’s most respected organisations and leaders.

This is an opportunity to join a collaborative and ambitious firm where quality, relationships and reputation matter. You will be rewarded with attractive remuneration, performance incentives, flexibility and the opportunity to build a significant long-term career in executive search.

Applications should be submitted in Word format to the attention of Nicole Underwood. Confidential enquiries are welcome on (08) 8214 8020.