Welcome

Transformational Career Coaching and
Personal Branding Solutions for the Financial Services industry.

Transformational Career
Personal Branding Solutions
for the Financial Services industry.

Hi I'm Dan Whitehead - the founder of City Career LAB and a well networked Talent Leader with an in-depth knowledge of job and talent markets in global financial services.

I created City Career LAB with the sole purpose of elevating the careers of financial services executives by crafting powerful brands, defining unique value propositions and connecting them to critical networks.

We give you:

Direction

Purpose

Connectivity

Confidence

ensuring you are “match fit” and “market ready”!

I believe career coaching should be:

Practical

- with clearly defined outputs rather than just endless hours of coaching sessions

Human Centric

- AI and Technology is capable of so much but will never replace first-hand experience or advice and how to navigate nuance.

Connected

- to commercial realities and the jobs market - leveraging a coach's networks wherever possible

Discreet

- it's a small world out there and therefore discretion is paramount

Independent

- free from internal and external influences and biases that prevent the full range of options being shared

Sector Specific

- delivered by a sector specialist with first hand experience of the relevant job market to ensure maximum benefit

ABOUT ME

Why do I need a career coach?

Take a moment to see if you agree with any of these statements

If you agree with any of the following statements, then you are someone who would undoubtedly benefit:

You recognise that searching for a new job/career is a job in itself and would value a service that saves time whilst driving accountability.

You want help identifying the organisations, roles, Leaders and recruiters that form your career 'ecosystem'.

You rarely get approached about roles or recommended by your extended network.

You recognise that your critical networks have gone stale and/or aren’t fit for purpose.

You are running out of 'runway' in your current role or career and keep asking yourself – 'what next?'

You haven't moved jobs for many years and lack the confidence to start your career search or interviewing without support.

You want to de-risk your career moves and outcomes and rely less on chance.

You need help with articulating and projecting your personal brand - on paper, in person and online.

You know where you want to get to, but need honest advice around any skills gap and how to close it.

You are concerned about how to stay relevant in the workforce of the future.

You need help identifying your unique combination of values, strengths, skills and expertise and what type of work will motivate you.

You recently exited your role and need specialised support and a strategy for getting back into the market.

You want help in developing an exit strategy from your job, your company or the industry as a whole.

You are looking to relocate to or from the UK and want help to secure a job in financial services.

You rarely see appropriate roles at your level posted online and are unsure how to access the hidden jobs market.

You want to take control of your career before it gets out of control or takes control of you.

" I can help you work out what you want to do or achieve in your career as well as support you on how to get it!! "

Schedule your free consultation

You tell me what you want to get out of any career coaching and ask me questions.
I will tell you if and how I can help you and will follow up with a short summary and indicative pricing by email
You decide whether to engage me or not.

Not only is a free consultation a good opportunity to get to know each other and explore whether my services are for you before committing, it also sets us up nicely for any subsequent session(s) that are booked.

Schedule your free consultation

Services

Structured Programmes for Individuals

Executive Career Elevation Programme

A comprehensive and transformational programme that will position you for future success.

Learn More

Personal Branding Essentials

Transform your chances of securing the right role and getting noticed online.

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Job Market Navigator

Searching for a new job/career is a job in itself - take the stress and uncertainty out of any ongoing job search.

Learn More

Career Explorer

Ideal for anyone in need of a career reset, transition or even an exit?

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Flexible Coaching Hours

Available to buy separately or to complement support provided via one of the other programmes

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Services For Organisations

Outplacement Services
Executive Recruitment & Interview Training
Internal Career Exploring
Talent Acquisition Strategy Development

These packages tend to be heavily customised around our clients’ needs and goals.

Learn More

People we have helped

Since inception in January 2021, City Career LAB has helped to transform the careers of exceptional talent from across the global financial services industry.

James Harris

Former Managing Director, Investment Banking, London

"I first spoke to Dan in December 2020 when I responded to his Linkedin posting offering his services. I hadn’t responded to this sort of posting before, but I’m delighted that I gave it a go. Aside from being very generous with his time, he helped me take a step back and analyse my existing approach, and subsequently better frame and structure my focus, even sharing a job search template he had constructed previously. This helped me better map out, identify and approach potential employers, leaving me more hopeful and confident as I renew efforts in early 2021."

Ian Davies

Executive Director, Investment Banking, London

"Through a mutual friend, I was given an opportunity to engage with Dan as I embarked on the next phase of my career. I found the coaching discussions incredibly helpful as Dan not only offered first class career advice based on his many years of industry experience, but also encouraged me to challenge my own values and priorities at this point of my career. Receiving this external perspective is essential as you plan your next career step. I highly recommend Dan."

John D. Brinckerhoff

Sales Leader/ Insurance Agency/ U.S.

"Dan helped me in my search in ways I never thought of. He helped to reorganize my efforts and even cleaned up my resume. I look forward to future coaching and insightfulness from Dan."

Anon

MD, Portfolio Manager, Asset Management

"I was referred to Dan through an ex colleague after sharing some of my frustration about not getting approached for opportunities as often as I used to. Dan quickly identified my lack of personal brand and online digital presence as being a big part of the problem and set about transforming how I showed up online and in my professional networks. Within weeks of completing the early phases of the programme I was receiving outreach again and at the time of writing I’m close to offer stage with a firm I’ve coveted for many years."

Caroline

Head of Product, Fintech

"I knew I needed help on my CV and my pitch, but I needed to find someone who understood my role and my industry. Thanks to Google, I found City Career LAB and after what seemed like some relatively simple but logical changes to my CV and positioning, I quickly started to reap the rewards in the job market."

Natalie

Head of Wealth Management, UK&I

"I learnt more about the recruitment market from Dan in that first meeting than I had from multiple conversations with Recruiters and Headhunters over the course of my career. What was particularly refreshing about my engagement was having a true partner in my corner and having the ability to ask all those questions you have always wanted to ask but never did in case you looked stupid."

Anon

MD Market Risk Management, Banking

"I can’t thank Dan enough for the support he provided as I thought about the next steps of my career. It was really important to find someone who could help me identify and weigh up the different career paths available to me. Whilst I ultimately decided to stay with my current employer, I was successful in pushing for an internal move which is paying dividends 12 months later."

Brian

Head of Capital Markets, Real Estate

"I’ve always been good at selling what I do but not so good at selling myself. Someone suggested engaging a career coach and I’m glad I took their advice because I’m now able to clearly articulate why I should be the first name on the shortlist."

Get In Touch

Send us a Message

Our Contacts

Dan Whitehead

+44 (0)7769 663507

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