Shape the future of leadership in Financial Services

Korn Ferry is a global consulting firm that powers performance by aligning strategy, operations, and talent. As a trusted advisor to organisations worldwide, we help clients identify, attract, and develop exceptional leadership talent while enabling transformation across their businesses.

Through our Executive Search practice, we partner with boards, CEOs, and executive leadership teams to appoint leaders who drive growth, performance, and lasting impact. Backed by the breadth of Korn Ferry's organisational consulting expertise, we bring a unique perspective on leadership, succession, organisational strategy, and talent.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, our 17,000+ colleagues serve clients from more than 130 offices globally. We are united by a shared commitment to helping people and organisations exceed their potential and Be More Than .

We are seeking a Research Associate to join our Executive Search Financial Services Practice in Melbourne. Working closely with senior consultants and industry leaders, you will support high-profile CEO, Board and Executive Leadership assignments across Australia's leading banks, insurers, wealth management firms, fintechs, private equity-backed businesses and ASX-listed organisations.

This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially curious and analytically minded professional looking to build a career at the intersection of research, talent, leadership and strategy.

What you'll do

As a Research Associate, you will play a critical role in the delivery of executive search assignments and business development initiatives by:

- Conducting market and organisational research across the Financial Services sector.
- Identifying and engaging executive talent through research, market mapping and sourcing activities.
- Supporting CEO,



Board and Executive Leadership search assignments from project initiation through to completion.
- Developing market intelligence and insights on industry, competitor and leadership trends.
- Creating candidate reports, search progress updates and client-facing documentation.
- Managing project coordination activities across multiple executive search engagements.
- Supporting business development activities, pitch presentations and client meetings.
- Maintaining and updating highly confidential candidate information within Korn Ferry systems.

What we're looking for We are interested in professionals who bring:

- 2-5 years' experience in research, market intelligence, executive search, recruitment, consulting, talent acquisition or a related field.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
- A passion for understanding industries, organisations and leadership markets.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Robust project management and organisational capabilities.
- The ability to build trusted relationships with colleagues, candidates and clients.
- A proactive mindset with a high level of curiosity, commercial awareness and drive.

Why Korn Ferry? At Korn Ferry, you'll gain exposure to some of the most complex and high-profile leadership mandates in the market while working alongside experienced executive search professionals.

You'll enjoy

- Unparalleled exposure to senior executives and board-level leadership.
- Continuous learning and career development opportunities.
- Access to global research, technology and talent intelligence resources.
- A team-oriented, inclusive and high-performing culture.
- The opportunity to build a meaningful career with impact.

Be More Than We're passionate about creating an environment where talent thrives, ideas are valued, and excellence is recognised. If you're looking for an opportunity to develop deep expertise in executive search while working on leadership appointments that shape organisations, we'd love to hear from you.

📌 Research Associate (Melbourne)
🏢 Korn Ferry
📍 Melbourne