Research Analyst - Life Sciences

POSITION SPECIFICATION



Client Company

 

Founded in 1956, Spencer Stuart is one of the largest global consulting Firms specializing in senior-level executive search and board director appointments.  With over 50 offices located in 25 countries in key regions around the world, there are almost 300 Consultants worldwide with a strong support group of Associates and administrative personnel.  Spencer Stuart conducts more than 4,000 senior-level searches annually for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies (including a number of global accounts) to private equity-based businesses, start-up companies and non profit organizations.  The successful search consulting team partners with an organization to select and recruit the ?right leader? thus making a positive impact not only on the entire client organization but, in some cases, the industry itself.  In addition, a successful search, by definition, leads to significant career progression for the executive moving to the new position. 

 

 Position Summary:

 

The Research Analyst position will be responsible for producing industry analysis reports in support of search engagements, specialty practices and new business initiatives.  This could include competitive information, product information and target company list development.  The Research Analyst will provide analysis and conclusions in a client-ready document. 

 

Major Responsibilities:

Contributes in the development of qualifications packs for new business development initiatives.  Develop a solid understanding of the potential client/client?s industry including specific information regarding the ?value proposition? (competitive landscape, strengths, and weaknesses), stock performance, employee count, etc.  Synthesize information accurately into a readable and client-ready document. 

 Maintain current awareness of news and issues associated with key client engagements and market opportunities and share that information and knowledge in a timely way with associates, consultants and knowledge management.

 Participate in kick-off meetings with Associates and Consultants to assist in the development of the search strategy. 

 Directly assist Associates with search-related tasks, such as the development of a search strategy and/or target list. 

 Assist in high level name generation and organization chart creation.  Produce long list candidates through database search. 

 Create color commentary profiles on potential candidates by conducting literature searches.  Synthesize relevant information into a client-ready document. 

 Maintain current awareness of news and issues associated with key client engagements and market opportunities.  Share that information and knowledge with associates, consultants and knowledge across the firm.

 Analyze internal assignment data to develop targeted business development plans within the practice.  Evaluate client accounts to determine best business development approach and examine search history to track practice trends. 

 Develop industry and/or functional expertise by maintaining an awareness of industry trends and ?best in class? leaders/future leaders.

 Utilize the Spencer Stuart database, QNT, to produce, customize and analyze internal reports.



 

CANDIDATE SPECIFICATION: KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

 

 

Ideal Experience:

 A four-year undergraduate degree, preferably with a major area of concentration in liberal arts, business or library science.  Graduate degree a plus.

 A demonstrated knowledge of reference resources, both conventional and on-line.

 Excellent oral and written communication skills.

 High level of computer literacy, especially using Microsoft?s Word and Excel programs.

 Strong financial/statistical acumen.





 Experience in gathering statistical information, analysis and preparation of client ready presentation documents.

 Exposure to Healthcare a definitive plus, but not required. 

 

 

Critical Competencies for Success:

 

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a high level of competency in the following areas:

 

Communication skills ? Ensures that the search team receives the necessary high quality information, presented succinctly by:

 Listening to the briefing for the search and readily asking for further clarification to fully understand the information that is required to produce a comprehensive and accurate document. 

 Anticipating the information needs of the search team by coming prepared to the meetings and calls with well thought out questions that demonstrate an overall understanding of the relevant industry sectors. 

 Conducting phone contacts and extracting information in a manner that is highly professional and polished and is in keeping with the high standards of the firm. 

 

Results Orientation ? Provides the highest quality information to the search team in a timely fashion while working on multiple projects with multiple consultants and associates with differing, and often short deadlines by:

 Demonstrating a sense of urgency in addressing all search-assignment issues in a way that gives the search team a high comfort level that the deadlines will be met. 

 Taking ownership for their part in the process and committing to the deadlines that have been established. 

 Demonstrating the ability to react and respond to competing demands in a positive and professional manner.  Displaying a ?client first? attitude at all times even when the client needs may be quickly changing. 

 Demonstrating the ability to manage multiple assignments at once and prioritize projects appropriately. 

 Having the ability to remain calm in high stress situations and fast paced environments. 

 

Information/Knowledge gathering ? Contributes significantly to both new business development initiatives and search assignments building the intellectual capital of the firm to be shared/used by all colleagues while consistently meeting or exceeding the Firm?s quality standards by: 

 Identifying and sharing key resources and useful knowledge among knowledge managers, local offices, practice areas, research community, library services and central ID that will be helpful to all members of the firm in completing searches/assignments more efficiently and effectively. 

 Developing a deep understanding of specific industry sectors and/or functional areas in support of the practice groups.  Maintaining a current awareness of news and issues related to the practice by proactively monitoring changes in the industry, identifying/tracking top talent. 

 Contributing to the development and presentation of the qualifications packages.  Demonstrating an understanding of the role, industry and overall ?value proposition? by gathering information from all relevant resources available, synthesizing the information and presenting a clear and comprehensive overview of the opportunity.

 

 

Other Personal Characteristics:

 Professional manner.

 Motivated, energetic and persistent. A self-starter.

 Mature, self-confident and personable. A cooperative team player.

 Curious.

 Creative problem-solver.

 High stress tolerance.

 Ability to multi-task and work well in time sensitive situations.