What the corporate world knows about executive search–and how it can help your nonprofit 

Headhunters, c-suite search, executive hiring firms… Those are the domain of the corporate world, right? You’re in the nonprofit space for a reason, so why would these mean anything to your organization? Well, it turns out that executive search–and its benefits–is one thing the corporate world gets really right. 

Executive search has long been used in the for-profit space when there are top-level positions to fill. In fact, a 2019 study found that around 50% of companies use search firms for filling top-level, confidential, or executive roles. DIY hiring channels work great for entry level positions and management, but when it’s time to replace a c-suite role, many companies rely on retained search specialists to find top talent. Read on to learn seven reasons why executive search is just as beneficial for nonprofits as it is for the corporate world.

What executive search does

Executive search, sometimes called headhunting or retained search, is a recruiting service with a goal of finding highly qualified candidates for senior-level and executive roles. Companies hire an executive search firm to use their extensive networks and industry knowledge to find candidates who would be an ideal fit for the role in question. Most firms, like Vanderbloemen, handle the entire hiring process, from initial reach out to finalizing the hire.

Executive search for your nonprofit organization

In a nonprofit setting, executive search works much the same as it does in the for-profit world. Once you hire a search firm that specializes in nonprofit search, you’ll collaborate on a job description, decide on a competitive salary for the role, and identify your organization’s list of must haves for its next leader. The firm will then set about using its resources and present you with a list of top candidates for the job.

Seven reasons why you should use a nonprofit executive search firm

As a leader of a nonprofit, you have a special set of circumstances to navigate when making just about any decision. Make life easier for yourself and your organization by using a nonprofit executive search firm. Here’s why:

1. It keeps stakeholders involved

Whether it’s the board, the community you serve, your staff, or your donors, there are a lot of concerned parties to consider when choosing your next leader. A nonprofit executive search firm can help you make sure everyone feels involved and valued. Your firm will help you gather insight from all stakeholders and then empower you to share objectives, timelines, and milestones with them throughout the entire search process. Rather than you or your leadership having to be accountable for the actual search, you can trust experts to do the heavy lifting for you. 

2. Expand your candidate pool with nonprofit executive search

More options are never a bad thing. A nonprofit search firm will help you reach more people who might be perfect for your organization's open position. With a bigger candidate pool will come diverse ideas, backgrounds, and experiences. It might be just the thing to take your nonprofit to the next level. 

3. Level expectations by hiring a search firm

If you can’t find anyone to complete your team on your own, it might be because your expectations don’t line up with those of the top candidates for your leadership role. Executive search firms like Vanderbloemen have collected data from every nonprofit search they’ve done and can determine exactly what your ideal candidate will expect in terms of compensation, benefits, and other job benefits. Executive search firms help you make the most of your time by setting you up for a successful offer of employment. 

4.  Keep sensitive information confidential with a professional search firm

Nonprofit organizations use search firms to preserve confidentiality when the position they’re trying to fill isn’t yet open, or for any other reason they do not want to make the leadership search public. Nonprofit search firms also tend to know when people in similar positions elsewhere may be interested in making a change–even if those individuals have not publicly stated that yet. 

5. Personal connections still count – and your search firm knows it

Whatever anyone has to say about AI and the tech revolution, there’s no arguing that personal connections are still king. Your circle is no doubt wide, but a search firm’s is wider. With an executive search firm that specializes in nonprofits, you get a network of people who have networks of people. A personal connection will likely reveal the perfect person for the job. 

6. Speed up a lengthy search process with a nonprofit search firm 

You don’t need an executive search firm for your nonprofit to eventually find a person for the job. But you do need one if you want to find an ideal candidate sooner. Hiring a search firm for your nonprofit will make an otherwise arduous process much faster and easier. Spare yourself and your team the frustration by outsourcing the task. 

7. You’re an expert, so trust an expert 

When you’re throwing your nonprofit’s annual gala, you don’t get in the kitchen, don an apron, and do the catering yourself. You leave that to the experts because you’re good at what you do, and they’re good at what they do. The same goes for nonprofit executive search. Your organization depends on you to lead, organize, and make the best possible decisions. One of those decisions might be leaving the hiring of your next executive to a search firm that specializes in it. 

Vanderbloemen can help you find your nonprofit’s next leader

Whether you’re ready to hire a nonprofit executive search firm or you’re still deciding and have questions about it, we’re here to help. Contact us today for more information on Vanderbloemen’s nonprofit executive search process.