Associate / Senior Associate

Executive Search Associate & Researcher – Asia Pacific

Join Ascendi Global

Ascendi Global is looking for an

Executive Search Associate & Researcher

to join our Singapore-based team and support senior-level search assignments across Asia Pacific.

This role sits at the intersection of

research, business strategy, talent intelligence and project execution

.

You will work closely with our Managing Director and Consultants to understand a client's business, identify the leadership talent relevant to its needs, map markets and organisations, and help move each search from initial strategy through candidate engagement and completion.

Because we are a boutique firm, the role offers broad exposure. You will not be limited to producing names or conducting desk research. You will gradually develop an understanding of how executive search assignments are won, designed, researched, managed and delivered.

We are looking for someone who is naturally curious, organised and resourceful — someone who enjoys investigating companies and industries, connecting information, and asking:

Who are the right people, where are they, and why would they be relevant to our client?

What You Will Do

Executive Search & Talent Mapping

Research companies, industries, business models, leadership teams and talent markets across Asia Pacific.

Build target-company lists and talent maps based on the requirements of each executive search assignment.

Identify potential candidates through structured research, professional networks, databases and publicly available information.

Evaluate career histories, organisational exposure, functional expertise and industry relevance to determine potential candidate fit.

Research reporting structures, competitor organisations and leadership movements to develop a deeper understanding of the relevant talent landscape.

Continuously expand searches beyond obvious candidates and organisations to uncover alternative talent pools.

Search Assignment Support

Work on several executive search assignments concurrently and help keep each project moving according to agreed timelines.

Participate in search strategy discussions and contribute recommendations on target markets, organisations and potential candidates.

Maintain accurate candidate, company and project information throughout each assignment.

Support candidate outreach, initial conversations, scheduling and follow-up where appropriate.

Track candidate progress throughout the search process and ensure important actions and information are properly documented.

Assist with references, background research and other candidate-related due diligence as required.

Research Analysis & Client Materials

Research is only valuable when it can be translated into useful insight. You will help prepare clear and professional materials such as:

market and talent maps;

candidate profiles and career summaries;

target-company analyses;

position and candidate specifications;

longlists and shortlists;

search progress updates;

industry and competitor research; and

leadership and talent intelligence reports.

You will be expected to check information carefully, identify inconsistencies and ensure that materials presented to clients are accurate and professionally prepared.

Market Intelligence

Follow developments within industries and companies relevant to Ascendi's clients.

Track senior leadership appointments, organisational changes, investments, expansions, restructuring and other developments that may influence executive talent markets.

Develop knowledge of key organisations and senior executives within selected sectors and functions.

Recognise patterns and insights that may be useful to existing clients or create opportunities for future assignments.

Share relevant market intelligence with the wider team.

Business Development Support

You will also gain exposure to the commercial side of executive search.

Responsibilities may include:
researching prospective clients and organisations;

preparing background information before client meetings;

supporting the development of proposals and presentations;

researching executives and decision-makers within target organisations;

assisting with industry events and targeted outreach initiatives; and

identifying market developments that may lead to potential search or advisory opportunities.

What We Are Looking For

Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification.

Approximately

3 or more years of professional experience

.

Experience in executive search, recruitment, consulting, market intelligence, research, professional services, financial services, legal research or another analytical environment would be relevant.

Strong research and information-gathering skills.

Ability to analyse large amounts of information and determine what is relevant.

Strong written and spoken English and Chinese (must have), optional to be fluent in Japanese or Korea (nice to have).

Excellent attention to detail.

Ability to manage several assignments and competing priorities simultaneously.

Comfortable working in an environment where priorities can change quickly.

Strong organisational and follow-through skills.

Good professional judgement and respect for confidentiality.

Flexible and ready to work in the office and work from home but this is dependent on the schedule of the MD (not dependent on the candidate's availability)

The Person Who Will Succeed in This Role

Qualifications matter, but how you think and work matters just as much.

You are likely to do well at Ascendi if you are:
Curious.

You want to understand why a company is growing, why an executive moved, how an organisation is structured and where the best talent might be found.

Resourceful.

When the obvious search produces limited results, you look for another way to solve the problem.

Analytical.

You can distinguish useful information from noise and form conclusions rather than simply collecting data.

Commercially aware.

You are interested in what is happening inside companies and industries and understand that business developments often create talent needs.

Accountable.

Once you take responsibility for something, you follow it through.

Comfortable asking questions.

You are willing to challenge assumptions respectfully when the evidence suggests another approach.

Detail-oriented.

Names, titles, dates, company information and candidate histories need to be accurate.

Discreet.

Executive search involves highly confidential information. Professional judgement and confidentiality are essential.

What You Can Expect

Working in a boutique executive search and leadership advisory firm provides a different experience from working within a large organisation.

You will have the opportunity to:
work closely with senior consultants and the firm's leadership;

gain exposure to executive-level appointments;

work across countries, industries and functions;

understand the complete executive search process rather than only one part of it;

develop direct knowledge of businesses, industries and leadership markets across Asia Pacific;

progressively take greater ownership of assignments as your experience develops; and

build skills in research, client management, candidate engagement and business development.

Application

If you enjoy research, business, people and solving complex talent questions, we would be interested in hearing from you.

Due to the volume of applications, we may only contact candidates whose experience most closely matches the requirements of the position.

Information submitted as part of an application will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection requirements and may, where appropriate, be considered for other opportunities with Ascendi Global.

Ascendi Global is a Singapore-headquartered boutique

Executive Search and Leadership Advisory firm

working with organisations and professionals across Asia Pacific and international markets.

Our services include

Executive Search, Leadership Advisory, Executive Coaching and Career Coaching

.

We support boards, founders, CEOs, and senior leadership teams in identifying and securing leaders who are not only capable, but aligned with the organisation’s culture, strategy, and long-term ambitions. Our work spans executive search and leadership advisory, with a disciplined, fit-driven approach grounded in deep regional market insight.

Alongside our search and advisory work, Ascendi also provides executive coaching services for senior leaders and candidates navigating career transitions, role expansion, or increased leadership responsibility. Coaching is offered as a complementary service, supporting long-term leadership effectiveness and continuity.

Our consultants bring over 25 years of cumulative experience in executive search and talent acquisition across Asia-Pacific. We partner with a diverse range of organisations—global and local, listed and privately owned, as well as non-profit institutions—addressing complex, multi-country talent needs.

Our team comprises of experienced partners and / or associates in Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Milan, Manila and USA markets. Ascendi Global operates as a trusted partner to our clients and a responsible brand ambassador in the market, representing organisations with discretion, clarity, and professionalism.

What we believe in:
We believe good executive search goes beyond matching a résumé to a position. It requires understanding the organisation, its business challenges, its culture and its future direction — and then identifying leaders capable of making an impact within that environment.

As a boutique firm, we place particular importance on

quality, discretion, responsiveness and personal involvement

in every assignment.