Non-Profit Sector Executive Search Firms Basics

Learn how to get started with non profit executive search firms
By Lisa Maloney Non-profit sector executive search firms perform a valuable service. By finding, evaluating and recruiting executives into the non-profit arena, they allow companies to quickly and easily locate the best candidates to fill a given position.
 

In order to have the best executive placed in your company, you must first find the best non-profit sector executive search firms. Keep in mind the following non-profit sector executive search firms basics:

1. Search firms may offer access to otherwise unreachable potential candidates for a non profit executive director job.
2. Not all recruiting firms know how to serve the non profit sector's specific needs.
3. Always negotiate terms and fees ahead of time with your search firm.
   

Use search firms to find the right candidate for your non profit executive director job

Given that your company's performance depends heavily on the capabilities and performance of the people in your organization, finding the right executive to head your organization is crucial. Non profit executive search firms offer access to talent pools of candidates that best suit the specialized needs of non profit organizations.
Try: The Bridgespan Group and Spencer Stuart both offer helpful notes on how executive search firms work and why they're beneficial to corporate and non-profit businesses.

Deal with firms that specialize in the executive non profit search niche

Non-profit executive jobs have a distinct set of needs compared to those in the for-profit corporate world. Working with firms that specialize in recruiting for non-profit executives allows you to be confident that you're dealing with professionals who know exactly what your company needs.
Try: Learn more about how agencies locate and recruit executives for non-profit positions at Koya Consulting. Socius has both corporate and non-profit executive search divisions, and provides a detailed service overview, commitment and perspective for the non-profits they serve.

Look out for the fees associated with non profit search firms

If you employ an executive search firm, be prepared to pay up to 33% of the executive's fees to the firm as a placement fee. This sort of fee is always paid by the employer, not the placed employee, and may be done on a retainer basis (where the firm is paid up front and represents the client in the search for the best candidate) or on a contingency basis (where the firm is only paid if they place a candidate).
Try: Lear more about the difference between an executive search firm working on retainer or on a contingency basis at Riley Guide. The Development Guild provides a list of fees and other parameters to negotiate with any executive search firm, including placement fees and other expenses the search firm may incur.

• Non-profit sector executive search firms don't just help you place a candidate in open job positions. In most cases, non-profit search firms can also help you to define and refine the job position itself, making it more appealing to potential candidates and of better use to your non-profit.