Conducting an Executive Search for a Chief Executive Officer to lead this newly amalgamated health service across a large, vibrant region.
The Brief
Following extensive collaboration and consideration, the amalgamation of a number of key regional Victorian health services was approved with a view to deliver better healthcare, enhanced services and advance careers, closer to home. Future Leadership was engaged to support the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer who would activate the new health service by developing service and workforce plans to address the unique needs of each community, as well as drive alignment of policies and procedures and appropriately engage staff, patients and the community.
The role would also lead Victoria’s largest public aged care service, oversee the redevelopment and expansion of primary hospital services, and drive the development and finalisation of new strategic and clinical services plans. An interim CEO has been appointed and the Board sought to appoint a permanent CEO as soon as possible whilst conducting a robust search process.
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 briefing process provided the framework for the Future Leadership search strategy. The Board identified that the appointee would need to demonstrate significant leadership experience, an affinity for working in a regional setting, strong transformational/change management skills, and an ability to advocate with stakeholders across the community. Future Leadership completed a highly targeted search process, reaching out to over 60 individuals across Australia.
The Chair was kept up to date on progress throughout the search with regular updates from the lead Consultant. The Future Leadership team provided a longlist of candidates from across Australia to the selection panel which comprised members of the Board and the Department of Health. Two rounds of panel interviews were supported by Future Leadership, including management of all logistics and provision of interview questions. During the second round interviews the candidates presented on a prepared topic to highlight how they would lead and action the transition to the amalgamated health service, while ensuring equity for all consumers and shared identity among all services. The lead consultant completed 360 degree reference checking for the preferred candidate, and supported the negotiation phase to confirm the appointment.
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.
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.
Culture and Engagement
Fosters a positive culture, creating a sense of belonging and inclusiveness. Creates an environment that encourages divers perspectives and facilitates a psychologically safe environment.
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.
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.
Critical Thinking
Gathers and examines different data points, testing for assumptions and gaps in logic; reframes problems and presents well-reasoned insights considering diverse perspectives. Analyses, interprets and objectively evaluates information enabling judgements.
The Outcome
The successful appointee was confirmed in early February 2022. A highly experienced health sector executive, the incoming CEO demonstrated ability in relation to delivering outcomes and developing collaborative partnerships. Throughout the process the appointee presented as a charismatic leader, with a patient centric decision-making approach, coupled with exceptional strategic thinking capability and innovation. With a track record of success, the appointed possessed strong operational experience, combined with prior experience leading and managing significant redevelopments, partnership strategies, and government contracts.
On announcing the appointment, the Board Chair noted the selection committee had gone through an open and robust market process to find the best person for the position. With the incoming CEO drawing on prior experience in the region it was a positive step forward for the health services to deliver improved quality, accessibility and sustainability of healthcare services close to home for the community.
