Job Description
- This is a remote position.
- Driving senior candidate intelligence across the financial services sector, this independent contractor role is central to mapping C-suite talent pools and executing targeted executive search strategies. Operating within an established firm specialising in on-demand C-suite leadership for UK regulated financial institutions (FCA & PRA), the successful specialist will lead headhunting initiatives and verify regulatory standing. This contract role offers a high-impact opportunity to deliver precision sourcing across banking, asset management, wealth management, and fintech sectors.
- Availability: Flexible part-time hours aligned with active search mandates.
Contract Term
- Initial engagement: Flexible / Part-time based on active mandate volume
- Work arrangement: Remote (Work from Home)
- Schedule: Flexible, aligned with UK business hours and mandate delivery timelines
- Contract type: Independent Contractor
Scope of Services
Market Mapping & Competitor Intelligence
The contractor will:
- Conduct competitor mapping across target UK banks, wealth managers, asset managers, and fintech firms.
- Structure and maintain detailed organizational charts and executive talent pools.
- Track market movements, leadership changes, and talent availability within niche sub-sectors.
Targeted Sourcing & Executive Headhunting
The contractor will:
- Direct targeted headhunting campaigns to engage passive C-suite and senior leadership candidates.
- Deploy advanced Boolean search techniques, LinkedIn Recruiter, and industry databases.
- Develop tailored, confidential outreach strategies to secure interest from high-calibre prospective leaders.
Regulatory Verification & Compliance Auditing
The contractor will:
- Validate prospective hires against the FCA Financial Services Register to verify current and historical permissions.
- Audit regulatory records, disciplinary histories, and compliance standing for all shortlisted candidates.
- Ensure all screening protocols adhere strictly to UK financial regulatory standards and data privacy rules.
Qualification & Professional Benchmark Screening
The contractor will:
- Screen candidates against UK financial benchmark standards, including RDR Level 4 and Level 6 qualifications (e.g., DipPFS, DipFA, IMC, CFA, ACA/ACCA).
- Confirm Competent Adviser Status (CAS) and relevant professional body memberships.
- Validate candidates' technical competence, licensing history, and continuing professional development.
SM&CR Assessment & Governance Alignment
The contractor will:
- Conduct detailed evaluations of candidates operating under the UK Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SM&CR).
- Map career achievements against specific Senior Management Functions (e.g., SMF1, SMF2, SMF4, SMF5, SMF16, SMF17, SMF24).
- Assess candidates against statutory "Fit and Proper" criteria, including honesty, integrity, competence, and financial soundness.
Structured Executive Screening & Assessment
The contractor will:
- Lead thorough phone and video qualification interviews with senior executives.
- Assess commercial track record, remuneration expectations, notice periods, and motivations for moving.
- Produce objective, comprehensive candidate profiles to support client presentation and decision-making.
Deliverables
The contractor will provide:
Weekly Deliverables
- Mandate progress reports highlighting outreach volume, response rates, and pipeline status.
- Sourcing logs detailing newly identified and mapped executive profiles.
- Interview summary notes and preliminary assessment profiles for screened candidates.
- Weekly briefing on emerging talent trends, candidate availability, and search blockers.
Monthly Deliverables
- Comprehensive market mapping reports, including verified organizational charts for priority peer institutions.
- Summary of regulatory checks, SM&CR assessments, and compliance audits completed.
- Sourcing channel efficiency and conversion analysis across active search mandates.
- Pipeline review detailing candidates at shortlisting, client review, and final stages.
Requirements
Required Skills & Experience
The contractor should demonstrate:
- Proven executive search, senior recruitment, or talent intelligence experience within UK financial services.
- In-depth understanding of the UK regulatory landscape, specifically FCA and PRA frameworks.
- Direct experience evaluating candidates under the Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SM&CR) and UK benchmark qualifications (RDR Level 4/6, CAS).
- Demonstrated proficiency using the FCA Financial Services Register for candidate due diligence.
- Advanced candidate sourcing capabilities using LinkedIn Recruiter, bespoke databases, and Boolean search strings.
- Strong interviewing skills with experience assessing C-suite and executive-level candidates.
- Exceptional written and verbal English communication skills.
- High level of discretion, professionalism, and adherence to strict confidentiality.
Preferred Experience
Preference will be given to candidates with:
- Prior search experience covering C-level roles (CEO, CFO, CRO, COO, CIO/CTO) in regulated environments.
- Exposure to boutique executive search firms or specialized financial services recruitment consultancies.
- Established professional networks across UK retail banking, private banking, investment management, or fintech.
- Hands-on familiarity with executive search CRM/ATS platforms and talent-mapping tools.
Required Software Skills:
- LinkedIn Recruiter
- Public regulatory verification databases (FCA Register)
- Professional Recruitment CRM / ATS platforms
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