Account Executive (Executive Search

SelectLeaders is looking for a hungry, high-potential sales professional to join our Commercial Real Estate executive search and staffing sales team. Internally this role is called, Associate. As an Associate on our Executive Search team, you are on the front lines of our organization. Your role is to support the Managing Director and sales leadership by driving high-quality prospecting, opportunity qualification, and closing support for CRE search engagements. Associates (2–5 years) focus on mastering core prospecting, sales and research skills, and will work towards closing and contract negotiation. This role has a path to Senior Associate and beyond. This a hybrid role that can either be based in Chicago or New York City, and will go into the office 3 days a week, work from home 2 days. (24 E. Washington St., Chicago OR 123 William St., Ste 1505, New York, NY).

SELECTLEADERS OVERVIEW

SelectLeaders, a Bisnow Company, is the #1 job platform and executive recruiting consultancy for the Commercial Real Estate industry. Our mission is twofold: To connect industry-leading employers to their most important asset – its people, and to connect the highest caliber talent to the next chapter of their Real Estate careers. The competitive advantage of SelectLeaders is our continuously growing network of top professional Real Estate organizations, unparalleled access and data within the Commercial Real Estate industry and 35+ years of search and technology experience.

What sets us apart is a continuously growing network of premier CRE organizations, unmatched industry access and data, and 35+ years of search and technology expertise. We don’t just fill roles, we shape careers and build teams that move the industry forward.

As an Associate, you’re on the front lines of that mission. You’ll be fully resourced with the data and insights you need to shorten sales cycles and drive revenue from day one — with a clear runway to grow into a Senior Associate role and beyond as you prove yourself.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with the Managing Director to develop a targeted prospecting and outreach strategy within your territories, identifying owners, developers, operators, and investment firms that can benefit from our services.

• Follow up on leads through email, phone, video conference, and LinkedIn to qualify or disqualify interest in our services. Quickly assess hiring needs, budget, decision-making processes, and timing to determine fit.

• Guide prospects through our search offerings, articulate our value proposition in the CRE space, run effective discovery, and convert qualified opportunities into signed search engagements.

• Negotiate terms, pricing structures, and contract details with clients in partnership with the Managing Director. Ensure all agreements reflect mutually beneficial outcomes and set the recruiting team up for success.

• Work cross-functionally with the recruiting team to ensure smooth handoffs, alignment on role requirements, and accurate scoping of each search. Provide ongoing communication around client expectations, timelines, and changes to search criteria.

• Leverage Bisnow, Biscred and SelectLeaders data, technology, and industry relationships to identify high-value opportunities and drive revenue.

• Document all client interactions, opportunity stages, and contract details in Salesforce. Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders to maintain transparency and alignment.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR? (ASSOCIATE LEVEL: 2–5 YEARS)

• 2-5 years of experience in sales, recruiting, CRE, or a competitive college Selling Initiative Program.

• Strong self-starter mentality and drive to exceed targets.

• Intellectual curiosity and desire to learn quickly.

• Interest in becoming a top producer in sales or executive search.

• Hustle, coachability, and ability to thrive in a collaborative team environment.

• Ability to learn new products, markets, and processes quickly.

• High energy, strong organizational skills, and a disciplined work ethic.

• Interest in commercial real estate, recruiting, executive search

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Competitive compensation structure

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance - effective the 1st of the month following your start date.

• Short and Long Term Disability Insurance - this includes maternity and paternity leaves as well.

• 401K

• Flexible Spending Account

• Health Savings Account

• Dependent Care Account

• Unlimited Vacation Days

• 7 days paid sick leave

• 9 paid Holidays

• Referral Bonus Program

• You’ll get to work with incredibly smart, passionate, driven, ambitious, kind, caring and mindful people and will rarely experience an overload of policies, bureaucracy or toxicity (the latter, we do not tolerate).