Associate - Bay Area

Job description

**Company Overview:** SPMB is one of the largest retained executive search firms in North America focused exclusively on technology and innovation. With a 45-year legacy rooted in Silicon Valley, the firm has built leadership teams for disruptive startups and Fortune 500 companies alike, closing more than 400 searches annually. Clients include Google, Amazon, Disney, Comcast, and Major League Baseball. For an associate joining Managing Partner Mike Doonan’s practice, SPMB offers a high-caliber yet human environment that stands apart from both the global giants and boutique firms. SPMB uniquely blends the reach and resources of a large firm with the agility of a boutique. Unlike global firms burdened by “off-limits” restrictions, SPMB can target virtually any candidate while also bringing far greater research capacity than smaller competitors. Its partners are known for rescuing searches that other firms cannot complete, thanks to deep fluency in technology and relentless urgency. Clients consistently cite SPMB’s speed, consultative approach, and ability to deliver fresh candidate slates rather than recycled lists. What sets SPMB apart is its long-term, relationship-driven ethos. The majority of searches come from repeat clients or referrals, a testament to decades of trust built “brick by brick.” The firm prioritizes cultural fit and integrity over transactions, treating candidates with respect and committing to diverse slates for every search. By investing in authentic partnerships, SPMB has created a network where today’s candidates often return as tomorrow’s clients. Even in challenging markets, SPMB has stayed true to this long-game philosophy, focusing on people, process improvements, and employee growth. Every search at SPMB is partner-led, heavily resourced, and executed with precision. The firm’s proprietary 4×4 process aims to present four qualified finalists by week four, supported by dedicated research teams. Radical transparency is delivered through Thrive TRM, a co-developed platform giving clients real-time visibility into every candidate. Today, SPMB serves venture-backed startups, PE-backed growth firms, and global enterprises alike—helping companies of all sizes build the technology leadership needed to thrive in the digital era. **Position Overview:** SPMB is looking for a thoughtful and professional Associate who will serve as a key member of the client delivery team by driving the candidate development process throughout each VP and C-level executive search. This role partners closely with the Partner and analyst to help deliver outstanding outcomes for our clients. Associates are responsible for working directly with our public and private clients, managing the day-to-day details of search engagements, facilitating discussions with candidates and directing the research activities of internal teams. The core function of the Associate’s role is relationship development and management, including networking and building strong relationships with senior clients and candidates. This role is an unique opportunity to interface with key senior executives as well as investors from the venture capital, private equity and public company community. ### Major Responsibilities - Gather key information from the client to gain a thorough understanding of the company, culture and position requirements. - Collaborates with the Partner and analyst to develop and execute the search strategy. - Develops key search documentation including position descriptions, candidate assessments, status updates and reference reference reports. - Helps drive research efforts and strategy to ensure the identification of high quality candidates while serving as a mentor and coach to the analyst. - Leverage large language models (LLMs) to analyze new industries, market segments and competitive landscapes to better understand our clients. - Designs AI prompts to extract strategic insights on industries, companies and executives. - Contacts potential candidates to elicit interest and to assess the candidate’s fit to the position description. - Teams with the Partner to provide our clients with an informed perspective on candidates and provide updates on the overall progress of the search assignment. - Ensures data capture of candidates, clients and search records within SPMB's databases. Add to the firm’s candidate pool expertise by identifying new talent. ### Ideal Experience - 2–4 years of progressive experience in executive search, internal recruiting, management consulting or software/technology sales where success depends on analytical thinking, relationship building, and strategic communication. - Proven ability to excel in high-performance, client-facing environments that demand attention to detail, resilience and poise under pressure. - Exposure to or curiosity about technology-driven industries from enterprise software and digital media to consumer tech, sustainability, or healthcare innovation. - Skilled in leveraging CRM/ATS platforms to manage pipelines, track progress, and translate data into insight. - Experienced or comfortable experimenting with AI-assisted tools to accelerate research, outreach and analysis. - Demonstrated success in roles where process discipline, precision and presentation quality directly influenced client outcomes or revenue generation. - An undergraduate degree is required. ### Critical Capabilities for Success - Candidate Development & Market Insight - Navigates executive networks and technical sales landscapes with confidence; able to identify, engage, and assess senior talent through research, relationship-building, and persuasive communication. - Translates business strategy and client objectives into actionable search strategies that connect leadership needs with market realities. - Project & Process Management - Operates with precision across multiple concurrent projects, balancing urgency with discipline and ensuring every detail is tracked and communicated. - Anticipates partner and client needs, takes ownership of deliverables, and brings structure to ambiguity. - Analytical & AI Fluency - Synthesizes complex qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable insights. - Uses AI, automation, and creative prompt design to enhance speed, accuracy, and strategic thinking in research and reporting. - Collaboration & Influence - Builds trust quickly with partners, analysts, and clients by combining professionalism with authenticity. - Uses influence and listening skills to align stakeholders, share insights, and drive progress toward shared goals. - Communication & ProfessionalismCommunicates with clarity, polish, and purpose both in writing and in conversation. - Adapts style to the audience, from senior executives to internal collaborators, ensuring every interaction reinforces SPMB’s credibility and brand. ### Preferred Attributes - Initiative & drive - Action-oriented - Ownership mentality - Team-oriented - Intellectually curious - Quick learner - Out-of-the-box thinker - Aligns with the firm’s core values & purpose