Search Operations & Research Assistant

Job Description—Search Operations & Research Assistant

Reports to: Director of Search Operations & Community

Internal Collaborators: Full Team
External Collaborators: Executive Search Clients/Search Committees, Applicants/Candidates, Applicant Referral Sources, Industry Associations

Compensation: Salary of $45,000 annually (paid monthly), plus annual bonus based on performance and overall company success at year-end.

Benefits: All TOCG staff receive generous paid time off. TOCG offers benefits via a PEO that provides health, dental, and 401k with employer match (match is available after 3 months of service).
Timeline: As soon as feasible
FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt (remote/work-from-home)

About the Opportunity

Tom O’Connor Consulting Group seeks a Search Operations and Research Assistant to support our growing Executive Search practice, coordinating various operational and research functions for the smooth and effective execution of our search processes. This individual will be responsible for gathering accurate, credible information (including contact information) to expand our database and fuel our outreach to prospective candidates. They will also coordinate logistics within the search process from posting of position profiles, to receipt of applicant materials, to coordination of interviews.

This is a prime opportunity for an incredibly detail-oriented individual capable of maintaining a high degree of confidentiality, and who wishes to join a growing start-up serving the arts and culture space. The role will allow the successful candidate to collaborate with and learn from industry leaders, and will receive regular direction from the Director of Search Operations & Community and Vice President of Executive Search, and work closely with the Search Associate.

About the Company

Tom O’Connor Consulting Group, LLC was founded in 2015, and is a New York City-based consultancy for arts and cultural institutions and leaders, offering two integrated services: organizational strategy and executive search, each guided by a seasoned team of arts professionals. Our clients represent a full range of artistic genres, budget categories, business models, geographies, and cultural contexts. What unifies them is that they are all mission-driven organizations building community through arts and culture. We share their passion. Our Executive Search offerings originally began focused exclusively in Marketing and Audience-centric roles, and have since expanded to include Executive Leadership, Development, Artistic, Operations, HR/People and Culture, and other related areas.

As for our team, we are a growing startup made up of high-performing, passionate, collaborative, and kind individuals, and seek someone who identifies with these attributes and brings new ideas and perspectives. Our company is fully distributed and remote (with our President Tom O’Connor based in New York City and VPs based in Portland, OR, and Los Angeles, CA), and prioritizes frequent virtual collaboration for cohesion, shared learning, and comradery. We gather in-person as a full team annually. Importantly, we work very hard and care deeply about what we do, but whether considering potential

clients or potential team members, we prioritize kindness and generosity, and do not tolerate the brand of ambition that manifests as disrespect or ruthless individualism. We mean that. Read more about our company and our team at www.tomocgroup.com.

Duties and Responsibilities

Research for Prospective Candidates (60%)
Execute research strategies in multiple disciplines/domains simultaneously while aggregating a high volume of data
Develop lists of target organizations and companies that align with our clients’ objectives, budgets, locations, or other factors as possible sources of prospective candidates
Enter, update, and retrieve candidate information ensuring accurate, up-to-date information is maintained in our applicant tracking system
Deliver on immediate research needs while maintaining long-term research projects

Coordination of Search Outreach (20%)
Distribute position announcements via approved job boards and appropriate social media sites and communities
Support email outreach efforts as guided by Director of Search Operations & Community
Attend Search Team meetings to understand client needs and search progress to maximize outreach efforts for each project’s unique situation

Overall Company/Team Engagement (10%)
Take part in weekly full team meetings to understand company objectives, stay abreast of client and industry trends, and collaborate on the evolution of services
Participate in gathering and recommending material for periodic newsletters, company social media channels, and company podcast
Engage in TOCG teamwide trainings and retreats to participate in company growth and evolution

Personal & Career Advancement (10%)
Pursue learning opportunities to expand your skills and improve company processes and systems
Approach challenging tasks that will serve company goals while pushing you out of your comfort zone—and potentially illuminate future career opportunities (hopefully with us!)
Continually set measurable goals for your own performance, and increase your aptitude with giving and receiving feedback

Qualifications and Requirements

Kindness, confidence, and a generous spirit
A commitment to the principles of DEIA and Anti-Racism, and an appetite for continual reflection at the personal, company, and process levels
Excellent time management abilities while adhering to multiple deadlines, and a desire to work in a remote setting. We are a small, fast-paced company with very high standards of excellence, but one that also respects and encourages work-life balance and appropriate boundary-setting with all stakeholders.

2+ years of experience in a support function in a professional setting
Familiarity with and passion for the arts, and a strong desire to pursue a career within the arts and culture industry
Ability to proactively communicate with leadership through regular updates, both for accountability and to signal readiness for new projects
Persistence and resourcefulness in conducting in-depth research, exploring all possible sources
Interest in developing and maintaining databases and knowledge management systems; and understanding of the vital nature of clean and reliable data
Exceptional communication and organizational skills required, including proficiency in all major Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), productivity platforms (Slack, Asana) GSuite, and video conference platforms
An ability to learn new programs quickly
Strong sense of curiosity with an eagerness to learn and master complex processes, coupled with an analytical and systematic approach to problem-solving
High attention to detail absolutely required

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet, women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.

We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to arts & culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.

Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in the arts & culture space and what you hope to bring to this role.

Application Instructions

There is no formal deadline, and we would like for this role to begin as soon as possible.

To apply, visit the online application and submit your materials. In your cover letter, explain how your background, experience, and relevant skills align with the desired qualities for this role, highlighting any direct experience with similar roles and institutions. No phone calls, please. Finalists may be asked to complete a written and verbal communication assignment with compensation for time spent.

Tom O’Connor Consulting Group, LLC is committed to diversity in all hiring, both internally and on behalf of search clients. Applicants from populations historically excluded from the arts and culture industry are strongly encouraged to apply.