Search Associate – Defence, Aerospace & Security

Build a career in retained search, finding and engaging people who rarely apply to job adverts.

At Banner Lane, you will take ownership of research and candidate engagement on specialist searches across defence, aerospace and security. You will work directly with the Managing Director, developing your search skills and sector knowledge through live assignments.

This is a candidate-focused delivery role with no business development or client acquisition targets. It suits someone who enjoys finding the right people, picking up the phone and turning an initial conversation into genuine interest.

About Banner Lane

Banner Lane is a retained-only search firm specialising in leaders and technical talent across defence, aerospace and security. Founded in 2020 and an ADS member, we work with SME manufacturers, PE-backed platforms and Tier 1 and Tier 2 global suppliers.

Our clients appoint us to find people they cannot reach through advertising. We deliver those searches through market mapping, research and direct, discreet approaches.

We are a small, specialist team based in Stratford-upon-Avon. Your contribution will be visible from day one, and the quality of your work will directly shape our shortlists and candidates’ experience of Banner Lane.

The role

You will own the research and candidate pipeline on live assignments, from the initial search plan through to qualified candidates ready for assessment by the Managing Director.

The Managing Director leads each assignment and manages the client relationship. Working closely together, you will identify where the right people are, decide how to reach them and keep each search moving.

Direct candidate calling is central to the role. You should enjoy starting conversations with people who are not actively looking, explaining an opportunity clearly and judging whether it merits further discussion.

What you will do

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Turn assignment briefs into practical search plans, identifying target companies, relevant roles, essential skills and clearance requirements.

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Map markets and find candidates using LinkedIn Recruiter, Boolean search, our database and AI-assisted research tools.

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Approach people in competitor and adjacent businesses by phone, supported by thoughtful email and LinkedIn outreach.

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Qualify candidates’ interest, motivation, experience, salary expectations, notice period and suitability.

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Arrange assessment conversations with the Managing Director and prepare clear, useful candidate notes.

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Own follow-ups and pipeline records so every search has an accurate picture of progress and next steps.

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Coordinate client interviews and keep candidates informed and engaged, including those who are not taken forward.

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Contribute to shortlist materials and search progress reports.

Assignments range from board and C-suite appointments to engineering leadership and specialist technical roles. You will also support searches across commercial, operations, programme, finance and compliance functions.

What we are looking for

You will likely have 1–3 years’ experience in recruitment resourcing, sourcing, research or delivery, gained in an agency, executive search firm or in-house team.

You will bring:

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Confidence approaching candidates by phone, including people who are not expecting your call.

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Hands-on experience of LinkedIn Recruiter and Boolean search.

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Curiosity and persistence when the obvious search routes do not produce the right people.

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Good judgement when assessing candidates and representing an opportunity.

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Strong organisation, accurate database records and reliable follow-through.

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Clear, professional written and spoken English.

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An interest in using AI tools to improve research and outreach while checking the quality of the output.

Engineering or technical recruitment experience would be useful, as would knowledge of defence, aerospace or security clearance requirements. These are advantages rather than prerequisites: we can help you build the sector knowledge.

Above all, we want someone who is discreet, credible and interested in people, and who enjoys taking responsibility for their own work.

What success looks like

You build well-researched candidate pipelines, have productive conversations and consistently identify people worth taking forward.

You can explain where a search stands, what you have learned about the market and what you will try next. Candidates feel informed and professionally treated, whether or not they secure the role.

What we offer

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£27,000–£33,000 basic salary, depending on experience, plus commission on completed placements.

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OTE of £33,000–£40,000.

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25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays.

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Hybrid working, with a town-centre office in Stratford-upon-Avon and free parking.

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Workplace pension.

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LinkedIn Recruiter, AI-assisted research tools, our candidate database and a laptop.

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Day-to-day training and mentoring from the Managing Director in retained search, candidate assessment and specialist markets.

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The opportunity to develop your expertise through senior and technically demanding assignments.

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A delivery-focused role with no requirement to win new clients.

How to apply

Apply with your CV and a short note explaining why the role appeals to you, or call Stephen Start on (phone number removed) for a confidential conversation