A unique initiative targeted at improving multidisciplinary mental health practice and collaborative care within Australia
The Brief
Future Leadership was engaged by this not-for-profit organisation to partner on the search for a new Chief Executive Officer following the resignation of the previously long standing CEO. Future Leadership met with the Board Chair for a detailed briefing where it was identified that the incoming CEO would report into the board and oversee the management group in the delivery of the organisations activities and operations. The incumbent was required to be a well-versed strategist who would be joining at a time of innovation. With a key focus in business development, it was required the CEO have the ability to foster collaboration among diverse professional groups and ideally possess experience in the facilitation of professional development programs
As discussed at the briefing meeting, ideal candidates could come from a range of backgrounds that included the public and private health sector, peak bodies, colleges, academia and business development.
Key skills and attributes of an incoming CEO were to include:
- Broad experience in the management of complex, large-scale programs in a relevant field, coupled with an appreciation of the primary care service systems.
- A clear understanding of government funding and the not-for-profit sector and the ability to utilise their strong commercial acumen to grow and sustain the organisation into the future.
- A strong understanding of the sector and the capacity to demonstrate a contemporary approach to education and training.
Candidate Net Promoter 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!
Key steps of the Future Leadership process included:
- Briefing and Strategy Development
The dedicated consultant team conducted a detailed briefing with the Board Chair to clarify expectations and to understand organisational priorities, governance requirements, and cultural objectives. This included clarifying the role’s scope, key challenges, and success measures. - Search Strategy and Market Mapping
A search strategy across Australia was implemented, targeting high-calibre candidates with specific and relevant experience gained in a range of health and human services settings – across public health, community health, government departments and statutory agencies, peak bodies, academia, not-for-profit service providers and select private organisations – specifically in mental health but also in areas such as disability, family violence, housing, AOD and legal and justice services. The search leveraged trusted networks, known candidates and proprietary databases to develop a strong initial candidate pool. - Advertising and Candidate Engagement
The consultant team designed and placed a tailored advertisement across Seek, LinkedIn and the Future Leadership website to attract candidates aligned with the organisation. - Internal Candidate Management
An element for this organisation was the management of any internal candidates who expressed interest in the role. Internal applicants were treated with sensitivity, ensuring transparency and fairness throughout the process. - Candidate Assessment and Shortlisting
Shortlisted candidates underwent rigorous evaluation against the Future Leadership Capability Framework. This process included competency-based interviews, psychometric assessment and 360 degree reference checks to ensure alignment with organisational needs. - Final Evaluation and Appointment
Future Leadership coordinated and facilitated all panel interviews with the selection committee, ensuring the process aligned with organisational values and strategic objectives.
Future Leadership provided ongoing support with candidate management, scheduling, documentation and stakeholder engagement.
Future Leadership Capability Framework
Governance and Compliance
Establishing, championing and measuring the effectiveness of an organisation’s regulatory and reporting systems.. Delivering value for diverse stakeholders through governance, strategy, risk management and appropriate targets and metrics.
Stakeholder Relations
Works strategically and systemically to encourage diverse thinking with all types of people. Actively contributes to teamwork, and deliberately builds relationships and networks across a range of people and communities.
Communication and Influence
Communicates with clarity and impact to facilitate individual and collective understanding, inspire action and enable information exchange. Leverages human-centric communication and storytelling to effectively influence stakeholders across the physical and virtual realms.
Critical Thinking
Examines information for assumptions and gaps in logic; reframes problems and presents well-reasoned insights accommodating diverse perspectives. Persistent in asking insightful questions, enabling complex strategic judgements to be made across multiple dimensions.
Strategy and Purpose
Leads transformational processes, motivates teams, and influences commitment to a shared purpose that individuals and the workforce will require to enable sustained organisational success. Builds and promotes a culture underpinning the vision, purpose and values the organisation aspires to achieve.
Commercial Acumen
Provides a deep understanding of relevant industry, marketplace and business drivers as applicable to the organisation. Leverages the application of commercial tools and frameworks to manage opportunities, conflicts and trade offs. Able to focus on customer service requirements and acts proactively to raise the customer experience.
The Outcome
Following an extensive and extremely competitive selection process, the successful candidate was appointed. They presented with a unique combination of clinical experience leading interdisciplinary teams and senior strategic management expertise. With a PhD and Clinical Psychology Doctorate, the incumbent had held a variety of positions leading strategy development in health, government, sport, member-based and not-for-profit organisations along with extensive experience at Board level.
