Our Executive Search Process

Our Nonprofit Executive Search process

Our search process takes approximately 12-14 weeks, based upon our mutual availability and each organization’s unique situation. We tailor our recruitment efforts to meet your needs. Below is a description of the main phases of our typical nonprofit executive search process:

Phase 1: Orientation & Assessment

CUSTOMIZED: The first 3 weeks include our team’s on-site orientation, organizational assessment, stakeholder survey, and position profile.

We conduct searches nationally, regionally, and locally. Your senior search consultant will tailor our recruiting approach to match your geographic scope, sector, and position. Through our conversations and research during this first phase, we get to know the pressure points facing your organization and the attributes needed in successful candidates.

Phase 2: Recruiting & Outreach

TENACIOUS: The middle 6 weeks consist of customized recruiting strategies, including advertising and personal outreach, plus our team’s initial screening of candidates.

Often, the best and strongest candidates are not actively searching for a position. We tailor our advertising and recruitment strategies to engage a diverse pool of qualified leaders with the skills needed to succeed in the specific role we seek to fill. Traditional sourcing methods (including direct messaging, job postings, e-blasts and more) are augmented by our personal outreach to nonprofit peers and respected leaders to uncover top talent. Then our team uses a dual review process to evaluate and rate all resumes before conducting initial screening interviews and recommending a curated slate of candidates for further review by your organization.

Phase 3: Candidate Due Diligence

CONSCIENTIOUS:  The final 3 weeks of our search process include semifinal and final interviews, background checks, and negotiations.

After our team conducts face-to-face screening interviews, we partner with a professional source to investigate candidates’ social media and online presence. We recommend 4-6 semifinal candidates to be interviewed by your search committee. After you select 2-3 finalists, we can engage a trusted third party to conduct more extensive background checks and/or personality assessments. Then we facilitate the final interview process with your search committee. After you have selected the individual to hire, we assist with negotiations and guarantee your new hire for one year.

Learn more about Our Guarantee.

Phase 4: Leadership Transition Support

TRUSTED: We specialize in smooth leadership transitions and can provide additional onboarding consultation post-hire as needed.

Setting clear expectations between the incoming Executive Director/CEO and the Board is perhaps the most important goal for a successful onboarding process. Most new leaders fail not because their financial or operational abilities are inadequate, but because their expectations and those of the Board do not align. With the new CEO, a professional consultant on our team who specializes in onboarding can customize an onboarding plan to clarify mutual expectations and recommend goals for 90 days and 12 months in order to ensure a smooth transition.

Read more about The Critical Period After Selection.

How is Our Search Process Different?

The Moran Company combines best practices in recruiting with a personal touch.

Our collaborative approach demonstrates a genuine commitment to the nonprofit sector that comes from years of our own direct experience serving others in nonprofit leadership positions. We know how important it is to ‘get it right’ when it comes to hiring the right person for an important role. Our team is committed to offering the kind of hands-on customization that each organization needs and deserves.

Hear More from One of Our Clients:

View the video below to hear from one of our clients and read What Our Clients Say.

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"I love the recruitment style of the Moran Company from beginning to end - the whole process."

Q&A with Jeff Buchholz, Search Committee Chair,
Protected Harbor in Fort Myers, Florida