Conducting an Executive Search for a newly created senior leadership opportunity to strategically lead comprehensive programs supporting community-based drug and alcohol response services during a time of growth and transformation.
The Brief
In late 2023, Future Leadership was engaged to appoint the position of Director, Community Based Drug and Alcohol Responses to lead multidisciplinary drug and alcohol responses through a time of immense transformation for this large community health organisation. The appointed candidate would be responsible for leading our client’s evolution in the drug and alcohol sector through the development of strategic opportunities and partnerships, responding to reform and community need. Led by Sandra Kerr, the Future Leadership team held an in-depth briefing meeting with the organisations CEO to ascertain key requirements of this newly created senior position.
During the briefing, Future Leadership identified the ideal candidate for the role should be a highly collaborative, inspiring and engaging senior leader who has the courage and drive to lead change to improve outcomes for communities, particularly with those that are disadvantaged and marginalised. With a deep understanding of primary health and community health service sectors and service provision, the incumbent was to have knowledge of contemporary consumer and client directed models of care, including consumers experiencing complex health and wellbeing issues. Expertise of complex design and delivery of drug and alcohol response, as well as clinical and partnership governance was key for success in the role.
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
The Future Leadership team, including an experienced researcher and dedicated administration resources, was assembled to to support all aspects of the process. Key steps included:
- Briefing and Strategy Development: The lead consultant completed a full briefing with the CEO to understand the role’s strategic priorities and challenges. At the conclusion of the briefing the attributes of the successful appointee had been defined and the specific nuances of the position identified.
- Targeted Candidate Search: The Future Leadership conducted a targeted search, focussing on high calibre individuals with specific experience gained in public the sector.
- Candidate Assessment: Full behavioural interviews were conducted by the Future Leadership team in order to identify a highly qualified shortlist to present to the health service.
- Final Evaluation: Highly qualified candidates were shortlisted, with the selection panel interviewing three candidates in panel interviews. Full 360 degree reference checking was completed for the preferred candidate prior to an offer being made. Future Leadership supported panel interviews and supported the appointment negotiation with the preferred candidate.
The Outcome
The successful candidate was confirmed and commenced in March 2024, presenting as a committed public health advocate and professional with over 20 years of experience in the leadership and management of health activities, 15 of these in the delivery of community-based drug and alcohol programs. The incumbent also had a strong track record of working with, and for, vulnerable populations and people with
lived experience and extensive experience leading varied and multi-disciplinary teams.
