Engaging an Executive Search for a Business Manager to Drive Strategic Leadership in a High-Performance Independent School
The Brief
A high-performing independent girls’ school sought the assistance of Future Leadership™ to appoint an agile leader to the position of Business Manager, following the announced resignation of the incumbent, after 18 years of service to the School.
Reporting directly to the Principal, the Business Manager is responsible for providing strategic advice in relation to special projects, as well as effective management of the school’s financial, IT, property and business support functions. The remit includes risk and compliance, business strategy, and some human resource management. School leadership engaged the Talent Team at Future Leadership™ to provide recent intelligence within the Independent School sector to make a successful appointment.
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 took a briefing with the Principal and Deputy Chairman of the Council, followed by additional one-on-one meetings with other key stakeholders. The search phase of the engagement focused on qualified individuals in leading independent schools with a similar profile, high calibre candidates from aligned For Purpose organisations and commercially focused candidates from related sectors. The search was supported by an advertising campaign. The search process was suspended due to the Headmistress announcing her retirement. While there were competing schools vying for the top Business Manager talent at the time, the Future Leadership™ team were able to maintain the list of candidates until the new Headmistress was announced. Three candidates were interviewed by the selection panel and the ideal candidate was subsequently agreed and appointed.
The Executive Search team targeted search and close collaboration with the healthcare network’s leadership enabled an efficient and effective appointment process.
Emerging Capabilities
Strategy and Purpose
Develops and leads strategy for the function/organisation, taking a broad and long-term perspective. Understands and considers context. Communicates and gains buy-in to the function/organisation goals, direction and vision, promoting change initiatives.
Culture and Engagement
Fosters a positive culture, creating a sense of belonging and inclusiveness. Creates an environment that encourages diverse perspectives and facilitates a psychologically safe environment.
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.
Digital Literacy
Draws on technology to connect with others. Identifies and builds digital solutions to create value for the organisation, while managing risk (with data and well-being). Leverages technology to drive innovation, performance, productivity, and efficiency.
Stakeholder Relations
Establishes rapport with stakeholders, builds and sustains trusted and collaborative relationships. Identifies and draws on relevant and diverse perspectives and integrates them to support productive interactions.
The Outcome
The newly appointed Business Manager commenced with the school in January 2016 and remains in his position at the time of this submission. Since joining the School he has collaborated extensively to assist with a turnaround of the school and has been an excellent addition to the senior leadership team.
