Research Principal

Research Principal (starting March 2025)

At VWA – Boutique Recruitment Consultancy

Permanent

West End

Up to 45K depending on experience

9-VWARP/NCWHK

VWA is hiring! We are looking for an ambitious and curious Research Principal to join our team. As part of the Research and Administration supporting the Consultants across Temporary, Contract and Permanent searches, this is a role with multiple possible areas of progression and is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop their skills in a commercial and people-focused environment.

About Us:

VWA is a boutique recruitment consultancy and has been established for 35 years – there is a true family feel in our culture and approach. We partner with a number of London and internationally based firms to support with a range of hiring needs, including business support and administrative roles, Private PAs, Operations, Marketing, HR, Finance, Investments and Accountancy. VWA clients range from private equity firms, hedge funds, venture capital firms, management consultants, executive search to public relations, renewable energy, digital advertising, brand management, new media and property.

About the Research Principal Role:

The Research Principal provides research services to the wider business as well as supporting with administration, marketing activities and other projects as needed. You will conduct end-to-end candidate search and selection campaigns, using a variety of platforms and contact candidates directly, and headhunt potential candidates for specific searches. Research projects will apply to searches for existing and target clients, as well as regional, global and sector market conditions. The Research Principal will on occasion, directly support Consultants in their searches, and may take the lead on searches themselves, subject either to business lead or if the client/role has been won due to their personal business development activities.

Specific duties will include:

• Resourcing and headhunting candidates for a variety of roles and to establish a growing candidate pipeline.
• Interviewing, analysing and documenting active and passive candidates.
• Creating job adverts using a range of platforms.
• Market research into sectors and roles.
• Compiling candidate shortlists with short deadlines.
• Submitting candidate onboarding documents and ensure uploading to database.
• Sending reference requests and formatting CVs to house standard.
• Support the Marketing Manager with social media management and blogs.
• Represent VWA at networking and other events, some which may fall out of office hours.
• Other adhoc tasks as needed.

About You:

• Prior experience in a research role, ideally from an executive search or recruitment environment.
• Degree-education (or equivalent).
• Experience of professional networking and relationship management.
• Advanced Microsoft Office, and experience using other IT programmes or databases.
• Strong attention to detail, an efficient approach to work and with a warm and approachable manner.
• Natural rapport-builder, and have a team-working and commercial mindset.

Additional Details:

• Core hours are 9am – 5.30pm, with flexibility to work beyond these hours if required.
• The company operates a hybrid working structure (3 days office-based) however the successful candidate will be fully office-based while onboarding into the role.
• Competitive base salary up to 45K depending on relevant experience and eventual participation in commission scheme and discretionary bonus.
• Benefits include: private medical (once probation is passed), pension and 25 days’ holiday increasing by 1 with each additional year worked up to a maximum of 28.

If you’re looking to build a successful career in recruitment in a fun, supportive and team-spirited environment, we would love to hear from you!