Senior Consultant - Leadership Recruitment & Consulting
Search Associates (Worldwide)

Senior Consultant – Leadership Recruitment & Consulting

Search Associates seeks an experienced and values-driven Senior Consultant to support and advance our leadership recruitment and consulting work with international schools worldwide. In this role, the Senior Consultant serves as a senior advisor and partner to schools and leadership candidates, supporting Head of School and senior leadership searches and related consulting engagements. This position works under the leadership of the Director of Leadership Recruitment and Global Partnerships and collaborates closely with Search Associates’ leadership consulting team, colleagues across the organization, and member schools.

For more than 30 years, Search Associates has supported leadership recruitment and consulting in international education, guided by a commitment to ethical practice, inclusive leadership, and continual learning and growth.

Search Associates welcomes interest from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences and is committed to building a leadership consulting team that reflects the global communities we serve.

This is a remote, independent contractor (1099) position, allowing the Senior Consultant to work from anywhere while engaging with schools, boards, and leadership candidates across global regions.

About the Role

The Senior Consultant plays a key role in supporting Head of School and senior leadership searches, as well as related consulting engagements. This position requires strong cultural competency, a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ), and the ability to work thoughtfully across varied cultural, regional, and governance contexts. The Senior Consultant serves as a trusted partner to schools and leadership candidates, bringing professional expertise, sound judgment, and ethical practice to each stage of the recruitment and consulting process.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership Recruitment & Search Support

• Support and lead Head of School and senior leadership searches in collaboration with the Director of Leadership Recruitment and Global Partnerships
• Partner with school boards and leadership teams to understand institutional priorities, cultural context, and leadership needs
• Assist with candidate identification, outreach, screening, interviewing, and assessment
• Support finalist selection, reference review, and appointment processes
• Ensure all search practices align with Search Associates’ standards, values, and ethical commitments

Consulting & Advisory Services

• Contribute to consulting engagements related to governance, leadership transitions, organizational health, and strategic planning
• Provide guidance to boards and school leaders on inclusive leadership practices, effective recruitment, and long-term leadership sustainability
• Support the development of consulting resources, tools, and frameworks

Commitment to DEIJ & Cultural Competency

• Demonstrate a clear and ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in leadership recruitment and consulting work
• Apply culturally responsive and inclusive practices when working with schools, boards, and candidates across diverse global contexts
• Support schools in identifying leaders who align with their mission while advancing inclusive, ethical leadership
• Engage in continuous learning and reflection related to DEIJ and cultural competence

School & Candidate Engagement

• Serve as a trusted and professional point of contact for schools and leadership candidates
• Build and maintain respectful, collaborative relationships grounded in transparency, discretion, and cultural awareness
• Represent Search Associates with professionalism and consistency in all communications

Collaboration & Quality Assurance

• Work closely with the Director of Leadership Recruitment and Global Partnerships to support strategic priorities and initiatives
• Coordinate with Search Associates colleagues to ensure clear communication, accurate documentation, and smooth operational processes
• Uphold high standards for confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical practice
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of leadership recruitment and consulting processes

Qualifications & Experience

• Significant experience in international education, preferably in school leadership, senior administration, or educational consulting
• Demonstrated understanding of Head of School and senior leadership recruitment
• Experience working with boards and governance structures
• Strong cultural competency and experience working across diverse international contexts
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills
• High level of professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion
• Ability to manage multiple projects independently in a remote, collaborative environment

Professional & Technical Competencies

• High level of proficiency with Microsoft applications, including Teams, Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Comfort working in a fully remote environment using digital collaboration and document-sharing tools
• Familiarity with emerging technologies, including AI-supported tools, and an openness to integrating them thoughtfully into professional practice
• Ability to learn and adapt to new systems and technologies as needed
• Strong attention to detail in managing documents, data, and communication workflows

Role Structure & Engagement

• Remote, telework position with flexibility to work from anywhere
• Independent contractor (1099) role
• Reports to the Director of Leadership Recruitment and Global Partnerships
• Engagement may be project-based or ongoing, depending on leadership search and consulting needs

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following materials:

• A letter of interest outlining your background and interest in the role
• A current résumé or curriculum vitae
•  Three professional referees from senior leaders who have directly supervised your work or worked closely with you in a professional capacity

Please send applications to Melinda Williams at melinda@searchassociates.com by February 28, 2026.