James Russell

Director - Next Step Talent | Search Led Rec2Rec | London, NYC, UAE, Singapore

United Kingdom

About

Helping high-performing recruiters unlock their next big opportunity - across the UK, EU, US, and Australia. I work with driven, industry-specialist recruiters who want more from their careers, whether that’s faster progression, higher earnings, or simply a clearer sense of their next move. I offer honest insight, strategic guidance, and access to a global network of top-tier recruitment firms, supporting you both now and in the years to come. Let’s connect and have a conversation that’s genuinely worth your time. ⸻ 📌 Recent Placements (2025/6) 🟢 Managing Director - Engineering, Kent 🟢 Senior Consultant – Tech, London 🟢 Senior Consultant – Energy, London 🟢 Principal Consultant – Energy, New York 🟢 Principal Consultant – FinTech/CleanTech, New York 🟢 Assistant Vice President – Energy Transition, London 🟢 Consultant – Data Centres, London 🟢 Senior Vice President – Data Centres, London 🟢 Principal - Energy Finance, Construction, New York 🟢 Manager - DC, London ⸻ 📌 Live Vacancies 🇬🇧 Principal – Data Centres (EU & US) | £40–80k + up to 40% commission 🇺🇸 Principal to Associate Director (x2) – Construction & Development, Renewables & Real Estate/Investment | $80–120k + up to 40% commission 🇺🇸 Principal – Construction & Development | $70–90k + up to 40% commission, no threshold ⸻ I partner with recruitment firms on a long-term, project basis, if you’d like to work with a Rec2Rec who knows the market inside out, let’s talk. [email protected] +447985284205 https://calendly.com/james-nextsteptalent/30min

Experience

  • Founder at Next Step Talent Ltd
    Jul 2024 - Present · 2 yrs

    Next Step Talent is a specialist search-led recruitment and talent advisory partner focused on the recruitment, executive search, and staffing industry across the UK, North America, and select international markets. We partner with high-performing recruiters, search professionals, founders, and leadership teams, connecting exceptional talent with specialist recruitment businesses, executive search firms, and growth-focused organisations building the next generation of market-leading teams. With a background spanning both agency recruitment and talent acquisition, we take a consultative, long-term approach to hiring - helping businesses secure proven talent while providing recruiters with genuine career advice, market insight, and access to opportunities not openly advertised. We specialise in appointments across: - Recruitment & Executive Search - Energy Transition & Infrastructure - Data Centres & Mission Critical - Construction & Real Estate - Engineering & Manufacturing - Financial Services & Professional Services - Leadership, Director & Partner-Level Hires - Team Builds & Market Launches Whether you’re hiring a senior biller, building a new division, launching a new office, or exploring your next career move, Next Step Talent provides a discreet, search-led approach built on quality, trust, and long-term relationships. 📞 07985 284205 📧 [email protected] 🌍 www.nextsteptalent.co.uk

  • Spencer Ogden (3 yrs 10 mos)
    • Recruitment Manager - EMEA
      Jul 2021 - Jul 2024 · 3 yrs 1 mo

    • Recruitment Lead - Global
      Mar 2021 - Jun 2024 · 3 yrs 4 mos

    • Recruitment Lead - Americas
      Oct 2020 - Apr 2021 · 7 mos

  • Korn Ferry (Hybrid)
    • Senior Partner (Fonterra Cooperative)
      Jun 2018 - May 2020 · 2 yrs

    • Recruitment Partner (Fonterra Cooperative)
      Jun 2019 - Feb 2020 · 9 mos

      Corporate recruitment across New Zealand and Australia

    • Senior Consultant (Jetstar Airways)
      Jun 2017 - Jul 2018 · 1 yr 2 mos

      Corporate & Engineering

  • Talent Acquisition Consultant - EMEA at Spencer-Ogden
    Apr 2016 - Jun 2017 · 1 yr 3 mos

  • Sales Recruitment Consultant at SGR (St George's Recruitment)
    May 2014 - Apr 2016 · 2 yrs

    Sales & Marketing