Associate Business Partner

About the Role

Pender & Howe is experiencing continued growth and is seeking an experienced, detail-oriented, and proactive Associate Business Partner (ABP) to join our high-performing team. This is a critical role that supports our Directors and Partners across the full search lifecycle, from intake to offer, helping to identify and engage top-tier executive talent and uncover new business opportunities.

𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Toronto or Montréal (Hybrid)

The ABP will be a trusted partner in all phases of the search process: from crafting tailored search strategies to conducting in-depth market research and talent mapping. You will join client calls, drive sourcing initiatives, and act as a key contributor to the successful execution of search mandates. This role requires sharp business acumen, a keen eye for detail, and a natural ability to think two steps ahead.

The ideal candidate is a search strategist and research expert, adept at digging deep to uncover hard-to-find candidates and eager to contribute to a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Directors and Partners to develop tailored search strategies aligned to each mandate
• Conduct in-depth market research and talent mapping to build robust long lists of qualified and diverse candidates
• Support business development by researching potential clients, market trends, and competitive landscapes
• Attend and support client pitch meetings and intake calls; participate in candidate briefings and update meetings
• Conduct custom research and prepare tailored client reports, such as compensation benchmarking, industry landscape analyses, organizational charts, and competitor mappings
• Support the development and completion of Requests for Proposals (RFPs), ensuring accuracy, professionalism, and alignment with client expectations
• Collaborate with team members to craft client-ready materials and presentations that reflect deep market insight and positioning
• Manage communications with both clients and candidates to ensure a seamless and professional experience
• Contribute to candidate outreach, including initial engagement and ongoing follow-up
• Uphold best practices in candidate care and client engagement, with a focus on integrity, confidentiality, and trust
• Continuously build subject matter expertise in key industries through research and ongoing learning
• Identify and suggest improvements to internal tools, processes, and workflows that enhance efficiency and quality across the business

Ideal Candidate

• University degree or college diploma required
• Minimum 4 years of professional experience, ideally in executive search, recruitment, or research-driven roles
• Demonstrated expertise in proactive candidate sourcing and market mapping (beyond applicant screening)
• Strong sense of urgency with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset
• Exceptional organizational skills; able to manage multiple priorities with precision and efficiency
• Self-motivated with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Professional presence and sound judgment in all interactions
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Intellectually curious with a genuine interest in business, leadership, and market dynamics
• Discreet and respectful of the confidential nature of executive search work
• Demonstrates a growth mindset and regularly contributes ideas for improving systems, tools, or processes

How to Apply

For consideration, please apply via the “apply now” button.

About Pender & Howe

Pender & Howe is a 16-person, independent executive search firm with offices in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver. We are proud to exclusively represent Kestria, the world’s largest retained executive search alliance, across Canada and the United States. We are a digitally driven firm focused primarily on leadership recruitment from the Senior Management level through to the C-Suite; however, we prioritize executive search as a disciplined process rather than defining our work solely by level.

For more information, visit penderhowe.com

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