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:

Financial Executive Sourcing Specialist