Delivering an Executive Search to Appoint a Visionary CEO for a Heritage Organisation in Victoria.
The Brief
Future Leadership™ was engaged by a heritage organisation in Victoria to appoint a Chief Executive Officer who could provide inspirational leadership and ensure the organisation achieved its mission. A key priority was the development and implementation of a new strategic plan focused on maintaining relevance in a changing world while remaining financially sustainable.
The organisation required a leader with a demonstrated commitment to heritage and conservation advocacy, alongside commercial or events experience. The successful candidate would need to manage diverse stakeholder relationships across government, donors, community leaders, volunteers, and national heritage bodies. Supporting and empowering a large volunteer base and building the organisation’s endowment funds were also critical components of 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
Future Leadership™ undertook a comprehensive search process tailored to the organisation’s needs.
Key steps included:
- Briefing and Strategy Development: Engaged with the Board to understand strategic priorities and leadership expectations.
- Targeted Candidate Search: Designed a campaign to attract candidates with heritage advocacy experience and commercial acumen.
- Candidate Assessment: Generated interest from over 70 candidates.
- Final Evaluation: The Board subcommittee interviewed 5 shortlisted candidates.
Emerging Capabilities
Stakeholder Relations
Demonstrated ability to engage with government, donors, volunteers, and national bodies.
Strategy and Purpose
Led strategic planning to ensure organisational relevance and sustainability.
Culture and Engagement
Empowered a large volunteer base and fostered community advocacy.
Commercial Acumen
Brought events and fundraising experience to support financial growth.
Governance and Compliance
Experienced in board-level leadership and sector governance.
The Outcome
The process resulted in the appointment of Collette Brennan as Chief Executive Officer in October 2024. Collette Brennan brought extensive leadership experience across arts, culture, and heritage sectors, including roles as CEO and Artistic Director of the Abbotsford Convent, founding Chair of the Sunshine Coast Arts Advisory Board, and senior leadership positions at the Australia Council for the Arts. Her appointment has positioned the organisation to strengthen its strategic direction, stakeholder engagement, and financial sustainability.
