Strategic Executive Search Fills Multiple Key Leadership Positions at a Leading School in Australia
The Brief
A rapidly growing educational organisation sought assistance in filling several key leadership positions as part of its strategy to enhance educational excellence and support its ongoing expansion.
Following the successful completion of the independent organisational review by Future Leadership’s Advisory Team, the Principal of a leading educational organisation engaged the Future Leadership’s Executive Search team to support the delivery of the recommendations and partner in the search process for the following permanent positions as a part of its strategy to enhance educational excellence and support its ongoing expansion:
- Deputy Principal, Staff and Students
- Head of People, Strategy and Culture
- Director of Wellbeing and Student Services
- Head of Campus – Primary
The organisation aimed to appoint leaders who could contribute to strategy development, drive continuous improvement, and ensure a strong cultural fit within the institution’s values and mission.
Candidate net Promote Score
Future Leadership combines truly personalised relationships with innovative technology solutions to ensure an approachable and efficient process for all our Net Promoter Score across clients, successful candidates and unsuccessful candidates is well above industry standard.
Candidates supported every year
We maintain genuine relationships with past candidates and continue to support them with leadership solutions long term, after they land their role.
Senior Women Appointed since 2002
Over half of the executive search assignments undertaken by our team have resulted in the appointment of outstanding female or LGBTQI+ leaders to high profile roles.
Candidate Retention Rate for 12 months since 2002
Our thorough briefing process and ability to engage passive candidates mean that we go to great lengths to find the right person for the role – long term!
The Process
In preparation for the recruitment of the four positions, the Future Leadership team completed multiple briefings with various representatives from a leading educational organisation.
It was identified that the ideal candidates would demonstrate a strong cultural fit and the appropriate gravitas to engage all stakeholders. In conjunction with other members of the Executive, each of the positions will play a role in developing strategy and driving continuous improvement to support the organisation’s goal of being a school of excellence. A comprehensive search strategy was outlined to the leadership team that combined active approaches within known networks with an online advertising campaign. The Future Leadership team managed all aspects of the process, providing support and guidance to the leadership team. The search process for all positions was underpinned by the Future Leadership Capability Framework (FLCF), with shortlisted candidates completing psychometric testing measured against six capabilities.
Emerging Capabilities
Educational Leadership
Guiding and managing educational institutions with a focus on strategic development, academic excellence, and fostering a positive learning environment for students and staff.
Strategic Planning
Developing and implementing long-term strategies that align with the organisation’s goals, ensuring sustainable growth and the effective delivery of educational services.
People, Strategy, and Culture Management
Overseeing the integration of people strategies with organisational culture to drive employee engagement, development, and overall organisational effectiveness.
Wellbeing and Student Services Management
Leading initiatives that support the holistic wellbeing of students, including their social, emotional, and physical development, while ensuring the provision of comprehensive student services.
Change Management
Facilitating and managing organisational change, particularly during periods of growth and transformation, to ensure smooth transitions and the continued alignment of the organisation’s mission and values.
The Outcome
Several key leadership positions were successfully filled, including:
- The appointed candidate assumed the position of Deputy Principal, Staff and Students at a leading educational organisation, commencing on 15th April 2024. In this role, they are enacting the Nurturing Wellbeing strategic pillar, overseeing student and staff wellbeing services, organisation-wide co-curricular opportunities, and staff growth and development.
- A new Head of People, Strategy, and Culture was appointed and will begin in Term 2 of 2024. In this newly created role, they will contribute to shaping the organisational structure and culture of the educational institution. Most recently serving as a Chief People Officer at a city council, the appointee brings over 20 years’ experience providing advice in all areas of workplace relations.
- Another appointee was selected as the Head of Campus – Primary and will commence in May 2024. Currently acting in the position, they will provide strategic operational and cultural leadership for the primary campus and manage the day-to-day operations of learning, wellbeing, and student services. As a passionate educator and dynamic leader, they look forward to continuing to contribute to the success and vision of the institution.
- Additionally, a new Director of Wellbeing and Student Services was appointed and will commence in Term 3 of 2024. In this role, they will be responsible for implementing the organisation’s strategy and primary purpose of providing an education of excellence. With pastoral care and wellbeing being integral to the institution’s environment, this role will focus on fostering and driving initiatives and programs that positively impact and proactively address the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual wellbeing of students, staff, and families. Most recently, the appointee served as Head of Students at another educational institution and brought over 30 years’ experience as a passionate educational leader, believing that when students are placed at the centre of education, wondrous and lasting progress is achieved.
The search process was highly successful, resulting in the appointment of leaders who are well-positioned to support the organisation’s mission of providing a Christian education of excellence.
My experience with Future Leadership was one based on transparency, open communication, and utmost professionalism. The search process was smooth and timely, with thoughtful and diligent management throughout.
