The First Edition of The Brief
Hi Evolve Community -
Welcome to the first edition of our quarterly newsletter!
Q4 is always a busy time—summer has wrapped up, and it feels like a sprint to complete searches before the holidays. This year has felt especially intense, likely due to the “wait and see” mindset that shaped the first few months of 2025.
In almost every conversation I have—whether with someone hiring or someone considering a move—I’m asked, “What’s really happening out there in the market?” My answer is usually the same: I can share what I’m hearing from our conversations, but that’s only one vantage point. The broader “job market” is complex and constantly shifting—year to year, even quarter to quarter.
As a recruiter who partners with RIAs, family offices, and firms across private equity, venture capital, and other alternative investments, I get a close view of the hiring pulse—but it’s still just one part of the bigger picture.
That’s why I wanted to start sharing some of our observations. My hope is that these insights will help you make sense of the trends we’re seeing and guide your own hiring strategies or career moves. Think of this as a friendly chat from me to you—because at the end of the day, it’s our relationships and shared insights that keep this ecosystem thriving.
Warmly,
TRENDLINE
Market Pulse: What We’re Seeing Across the Search Landscape
While national labor data points to steady demand across financial services, our vantage point tells a more nuanced story. Over the past year, we’ve observed a modest contraction in overall hiring volume, particularly among mid-sized investment and advisory firms that may be pausing expansion or operating with leaner teams.
INSIDE EVOLVE
Case Study:
When timing and talent align, growth follows. Here’s how one $8B investment firm partnered with Evolve to make a pivotal hire that strengthened its foundation for the future.
FEATURED ROLES
Select Recent Placements
Legal Associate - Venture Capital
Private Client Relationship Advisor - Private Wealth Management
VP of Investor Relations - Venture Capital
Compliance Manager - Single Family Office
Equity Research Analyst - Private Equity
Client Service Analyst - RIA
Active Searches
THE SMART STACK
The AI Notetaker Worth Knowing About
We’re always testing tools that make recruiters’ lives easier. This month: Quil, a purpose-built AI that captures calls, updates your ATS, and saves serious time.
This is Lil Joe. He arrived in Marin a week ago Sunday and is currently waiting for his forever home. To inquire about Lil Joe, contact The Kern Project.
SPOTLIGHT
In each issue of The Brief, we’re shining a light on organizations making a difference in Nor Cal. This issue’s spotlight goes to The Kern Project — a volunteer-driven nonprofit on a mission to save homeless dogs and cats of Kern County through rescue, rehabilitation, rehoming, and the promotion of spay/neuter.
From pulling abandoned animals off the streets to providing medical care and safe transport to the Bay Area, The Kern Project gives homeless dogs and cats a second chance at life — and a family to call their own.
If you’d like to support their life-saving work, learn more or donate at thekernproject.org.
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