Go-To-Market (Retained Search) Principal

March 2, 2026

Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm. We help clients synchronize strategy and talent to drive superior performance. We work with organizations to design their structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people to bring their strategy to life. And we advise them on how to reward, develop, and motivate their people.Our 10,000 colleagues serve clients in more than 50 countries. We offer five core solutions:<ul><li>Organizational Strategy</li><li>Assessment and Succession</li><li>Talent Acquisition</li><li>Leadership Development</li><li>Total Rewards</li></ul> The Role We will consider REMOTE for the right individual that resides on the West Coast. We are currently engaging with search professionals to join our Sales & Marketing Practice as a GTM Principal or Managing Consultant (Business Development) within our Professional Retained Search sector. You will be responsible for managing the business development and account management process for designated Software & IT Services clients. In this role, you will build a trusted advisor relationship with clients which includes, understanding their business, culture, and talent acquisition needs. You will also be responsible for identifying opportunities to provide additional recruitment services to existing and new clients. The Role is for a GTM Sales Managing Consultant where you have retained/contained search experience prospecting, presenting, pitching and closing leadership retained/contained searches with SaaS, technology & private equity firms with building out sales, marketing, customer success and other revenue-generating leadership roles. Requirements for this opportunity:<ul><li>Previous retained/contained search track record with a strong business acumen and with revenue growth leaders, customer success and other marketing roles to ensure commercial success and drive commercial performance and able to leverage your network. </li><li>This is an opportunity where you will be providing hands-on execution and delivery on GTM leadership roles with multiple searches as needed.</li><li>Able to work in a metrics driven KPI environment that is fast paced with a lot of collaboration amongst your Korn Ferry colleagues.</li></ul> Key Responsibilities<ul><li>Work with hiring managers to scope search project by obtaining information that clearly defines the specifics of the job including the responsibilities, requirements, compensation, company culture, etc.</li><li>Manage recruitment life-cycle from search kick-off through closure to ensure “time to fill” goals are achieved.</li><li>Develop, drive and manage strong business relationships with clients to ensure successful placements and guarantee customer satisfaction.</li><li>Drive new business with existing customers and prospects and develop relationships with Korn/Ferry Executive Search by working with them to grow business with key customer accounts.</li><li>Develop and maintain strong professional relationships with clients by providing superior care including clearly defining position requirements and recruiting process, timely updates on progress, interview preparation and debriefing.</li><li>Responsible for prospecting potential new clients, maintaining outreach and booking client meeting goals weekly.</li><li>Provide project updates to management, client contacts and stakeholders and escalate issues in a timely fashion.</li></ul> Required Skills<ul><li>5+ years of business experience in sales recruiting and GTM searches running a full-cycle desk.</li><li>5+ years of experience as a search consultant/advisor that is able to bring in new logo's with a strong desire to build a solid book of business with experience to include cold calling, developing search strategies and client/candidate management; or relevant industry experience.</li><li>Business development / Account management experience.</li><li>Strong business acumen and ability to quickly learn about different business environments and cultures by asking the right questions.</li><li>Consultative mindset and ability to anticipate client needs.</li><li>Candidate sourcing through traditional and creative channels.</li><li>Must be able to conduct in-depth interviews and evaluate candidate profiles.</li><li>Exceptional customer service focus, including attention to producing quality results.</li><li>Exceptional interpersonal, teamwork, and organizational skills and ability to interact effectively at all levels and across diverse cultures.</li><li>Ability to multi-task and manage various recruitment projects simultaneously.</li><li>Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.</li><li>Self-initiative along with the ability to respond quickly to client requests.</li><li>Ability to be an effective team member and, as needed, to handle project leadership responsibility.</li><li>Willing and able to adapt to new processes and effectively deal with change.</li><li>PC proficiency in MS Office, including Word and Excel and Outlook.</li><li>Bachelor's degree preferred</li></ul> Korn Ferry is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - Minority/Female/Disability/ Veteran. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Back to blog

DISCLAIMER