Conducting an Executive Search for a CEO to Lead Strategic Advocacy and Drive Inclusion at a Disability Advocacy Organisation
The Brief
Future Leadership™ partnered with a national advocacy organisation to recruit a Chief Executive Officer to lead the next chapter of the organisation’s critical work.
The organisation sought a strategic leader with demonstrated experience in successfully engaging diverse stakeholders nationally, strong business acumen, and the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic and evolving sector. The ideal candidate needed to inspire confidence across a range of platforms and partnerships, ensuring the ongoing success of the organisation’s mission to advance inclusion and social impact.
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
Following a comprehensive briefing with the Board Chair and Directors, highly professional individuals were sought with demonstrated extensive experience in successfully leading a diverse set of stakeholders nationally, bringing the necessary skills to actively create partnerships and advise the Board in the development of future directions.
With a deep passion for the sector, excellent interpersonal and business acumen, the appointee needed to demonstrate the ability to use judgement in a complex, changing environment and diverse community. It was essential that the successful candidate had executive leadership presence and commitment to support a sector that continues to rapidly evolve. Of critical importance, the ideal candidate’s reputation, and profile needed to be able to engage with stakeholders across a range of platforms and in partnership with the community to ensure the ongoing success of the organisation into the future. With a transparent and open approach, the ideal profile required to present with a highly communicative manner. We conducted an extensive national executive search, supported by an online advertising campaign.
Emerging Capabilities
Governance and Compliance
Establishes, champions, and measures the effectiveness of an organisation’s regulatory and reporting systems. Identifies and evaluates risks and develops strategies to mitigate risk.
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.
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.
Strategy and Purpose
Develops and leads strategy for the function/organisation, taking a broad and long-term perspective. Communicates and gains buy-in to organisational goals and vision, promoting change initiatives.
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.
The Outcome
An experienced Not-for-Profit (NFP) sector leader transitioning from a corporate career was appointed as Chief Executive Officer.
- The appointee brought extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and operational leadership in membership-based organisations.
- Their leadership has been instrumental in advancing the organisation’s reputation and mission to create a more inclusive and disability-confident workplace across Australia.
