Senior Research Associate, Executive Search

Thank you for your interest in joining UTA. Our offices will be closed from December 19 through January 2 for the holiday season, and applications submitted during this time will be reviewed by Friday, January 9, 2026.

This is a 9-month contract role.

UTA Executive Search team is seeking a highly skilled and intellectually curious Senior Associate, Researcher to join our Executive Search team. This role is integral to the firm’s ability to identify, engage, and deliver exceptional talent across the sports, media, entertainment, and consumer digital landscape.

The Senior Associate, Researcher will partner closely with firm Partners, SVP, and Senior Associates to drive strategic market intelligence, candidate development, and client pitch presentations that inform and support our most critical searches. This position is ideal for someone who thrives on connecting insights to strategy and enjoys working at the intersection of research, relationships, and results.

This is a 9-month contract role and will pay $55.00 to $60.00 per hour.

• Partner with senior recruiters and search leads to design and execute targeted research strategies for executive-level searches. Manage the research phase autonomously, produce high-quality reports with minimal oversight.
• Support the business development process, actively participating in designing the pitch strategy with the SVP and Co-Heads. Provide active research support and insights throughout the search process from pitch to candidate development.
• Identify, map, and develop high-quality candidate pools using a variety of research tools, databases, and open-source intelligence.
• Analyze organizational structures, leadership dynamics, and industry trends to inform search strategy and client advisories.
• Provide ongoing support to Client Services team throughout the search lifecycle, including candidate profiling, assessment, and documentation.
• Conduct in-depth research on companies, market sectors, and emerging trends across sports, media, entertainment, and digital consumer industries.
• Synthesize data into actionable insights and storytelling materials for internal teams and client presentations.
• Maintain and expand our firm’s knowledge base on key market segments, leadership moves, and competitive intelligence.
• Build polished pitch decks, market maps, and client-ready materials that highlight search strategy, talent landscape, and industry trends.
• Collaborate with the design and marketing teams to ensure presentations reflect the firm’s brand and visual standards.
• Support business development efforts with background research for new client pursuits and proactive relationship mapping.
• Consistently update and maintain accurate and up-to-date records in the applicant tracking system (ATS).
• Identify areas for improvement in operational processes and suggest and implement solutions.

• 5+ years of professional experience in executive search, market intelligence, management consulting, or related research-intensive roles.
• Proven ability to conduct comprehensive research, sourcing and identifying potential candidates across a variety of tools and sources including:
  Encore/Cluen Database, Linked In, IMDB, Pitchbook, Zoom Info, trade articles, industry associations, etc.
• Direct exposure to or expertise within sports, media, entertainment, or consumer digital sectors.
• Strong business writing, analytical, and presentation-building skills (PowerPoint, Excel, and/or data visualization tools).
• A strong sense of curiosity and an ability to ask questions thoughtfully and thoroughly.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to identify and solve problems.
• Adept at managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, or a related field required; advanced degree a plus.
• Intellectually curious, detail-oriented, and resourceful.
• A creative problem solver with a knack for generating new solutions.
• Confident communicator who can present research with clarity and insight.
• Demonstrates excellent note-taking and synthesis skills, with the ability to capture, organize, and distill complex discussions or meeting…