Principal Consultant – Retained Credit Search
London | High-Value Mandates | Established Client Base | Genuine Platform to Build

We’re partnering with a well-regarded executive search firm looking to hire a Principal Consultant to join and help grow their retained Credit practice.

This is a serious opportunity for an experienced recruiter who already knows the market, understands how to win and deliver retained mandates, and wants to operate in a higher-quality environment with stronger clients, better fees, and real long-term upside.

The desk focuses across:
Private Debt & Private Credit
Debt Advisory
Leveraged Finance
Debt Capital Markets
Special Situations

The Opportunity
You’ll step into an established platform with strong brand credibility across financial services and an active mandate flow across Europe and global markets.

This is not a volume contingent desk.

The focus is retained search, advisory-led delivery, and building long-term client relationships with leading:

Private equity firms
Credit funds
Asset managers
Investment banks
Advisory boutiques
Alternative lenders


You’ll be expected to operate as a senior market specialist capable of generating revenue, managing mandates, and becoming a go-to name within your vertical.

What You’ll Be Doing

Winning and delivering retained mandates across the credit landscape
Building senior relationships with funds, banks, and investment firms
Advising clients on talent strategy, compensation trends, and market moves
Managing complex searches from brief through to completion
Mapping high-value talent pools across EMEA and international markets
Developing repeat business from existing accounts and new logos
Supporting and mentoring junior consultants where relevant


What Our Client Needs

Proven recruitment track record within one or more of the listed credit markets
Strong billing history with clear evidence of consistent performance
Experience placing mid to senior-level talent into financial institutions
Credibility with clients and candidates in a specialist market
Strong commercial instincts and ability to win mandates directly
Ideally experience in retained or exclusive search, though not essential
Ambition to build a meaningful desk rather than just fill jobs


Why This Role

Established credit mandate flow from day one
Higher-value searches with senior stakeholders
Strong commission structure
Mature leadership team that understands the market
Real route toward Practice Lead / Director level
Adult environment with autonomy and trust


Who This Suits

Someone already recruiting in credit, leveraged finance, DCM, private debt or adjacent markets who feels capped where they are.

If you know the market, can bill, and want a better platform, this is worth a conversation.