Principal Consultant (Assessment Consultant)

Requisition ID

25496

Country

United States of America

Location type

Hybrid

State / Province

Minnesota

City

Minneapolis

About Us

Korn Ferry is a global consulting firm that powers performance. We unlock the potential in your people and unleash transformation across your business - synchronizing strategy, operations, and talent to accelerate performance, fuel growth, and inspire a legacy of change. That's why the world's most forward-thinking companies across every major industry turn to us - for a shared commitment to lasting impact and the bold ambition to Be More Than.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, our over 9,000 colleagues globally serve clients in more than 50 countries. We offer five core capabilities that span the full talent lifecycle:

• Organizational Strategy
• Assessment and Succession
• Talent Acquisition
• Leadership Development
• Rewards and Benefits

Job description

Korn Ferry is seeking a Principal Consultant to join the Assessment, Succession and Leadership Development Solution Area of its Advisory Practice. This role is a delivery-focused expert responsible for delivery of assessments, shaping assessment strategy for key clients, and ensuring that Korn Ferry's IP-driven methodologies are applied with rigor, accuracy, and impact.

Operating as a trusted advisor to senior HR stakeholders, the Principal brings deep knowledge of leadership, role, and organizational requirements-using Korn Ferry's research-based frameworks (e.g., the Korn Ferry Leadership Architect, the Four Dimensions of Leadership & Talent, Success Profiles) to evaluate executives and inform talent decisions.

Contributions to new business development focus on structuring the solution, scoping and establishing oneself as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) with internal colleagues and external clients.

Candidates will have proven experience in assessment, succession and broad talent management program implementation as an external consultant, as part of a leading consulting firm or an internal corporate role with stakeholder management experience.

Key Responsibilities

(a) Assessment Leadership

• Lead complex assessments using Korn Ferry's validated methodologies and proprietary tools.
• Interpret assessment data across multiple dimensions (competencies, experiences, traits, drivers) and methods to form holistic, insight-rich judgments.
• Conduct high-impact feedback sessions with senior executives, focusing on readiness, risk, potential, and development priorities.
• Integrate assessment results into broader talent solutions such as succession planning, leadership development, and organizational design.

(b) Client Partnership & Advisory

• Serve as a subject matter expert to senior HR, and business unit leaders on leadership strategy, assessment outcomes, and talent implications.
• Translate assessment insights into actionable recommendations tied to business strategy and the client's Success Profile.
• Shape assessment programs for enterprise accounts, ensuring they reflect client needs and Korn Ferry standards.
• Contribute to proposals, RFP responses, and commercial growth through credible subject-matter expertise.

(c) Quality, Standards & Methodology

• Uphold and advance Korn Ferry's global standards for assessment quality, calibration, and scoring accuracy.
• Conduct peer reviews and serve as a final quality checkpoint for high-complexity assessments.
• Provide methodological leadership, ensuring proper application of Korn Ferry's science, tools, and frameworks.
• Identify opportunities to optimize processes, enhance tools, and strengthen delivery excellence.

(d) Thought Leadership & Practice Contribution

• Contribute to the evolution of assessment solutions, tools, and global best practices.
• Share insights across teams, supporting KF's intellectual capital and market differentiation.
• Stay current on emerging talent trends, leadership science, succession methodologies, and assessment technologies.

(e) Coaching, Mentoring & Community Leadership

• Coach and mentor junior and mid-level assessors to develop their assessment capability and consulting skills.
• Lead calibration sessions and practice development forums.
• Model Korn Ferry's values, client-centric mindset, and high standards of professionalism.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, & OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate degree in Organizational Psychology, I/O Psychology, Human Resources, Business, or related field strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 7+ years of relevant work experience in a top tier professional services firm and/or an internal function.
• Deep proficiency in executive assessment tools, behavioral interviewing, psychometrics, and leadership evaluation.
• Strong familiarity with Korn Ferry frameworks (e.g., KF Leadership Architect, Success Profiles, KF 4D model) or equivalent competency-based models.
• Proven record of influencing senior executives and delivering insights that shape talent and business decisions.
• Understand the leadership and organizational issues faced by business leaders, with ability to engage as a peer, act as a trusted advisor and place proposed services in their business situation or context
• Knowledgeable about talent management, leadership development and assessment trends and best practices for designing high impact solutions.

Korn Ferry may use AI as part of its recruitment process, but all hiring decisions are made by humans.

Internal Mobility at Korn Ferry

If you currently work for Korn Ferry or one of our affiliates, you must be eligible to apply for a different position within Korn Ferry to use the Careers Site. If you accept such a position, your benefits programs and Human Resources policies may change. Please consult with your HR contact for the new position concerning application eligibility, including any immigration/visa needs, benefit programs, and HR policies applicable to that position.

Korn Ferry is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

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.

Background Check Disclaimer

The successful candidate will need to complete background checks as part of our recruitment process, this may include criminal, education credentials, employment history, and other background information relevant to your employment qualifications