Conducting an Executive Search for an Executive Director – Nursing & Allied Health (EDON) and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) to advance the highest quality of patient and family centred care.
The Brief
Future Leadership has developed an ongoing relationship with this iconic health service and were once again engaged when the health service sought to appoint a new EDON/CNO following the resignation of the incumbent to move interstate. Reporting to the CEO, the EDON holds responsibility for professional leadership and direction for the entire Nursing and Allied Health workforce within the organisation.
Given the demands experienced during the COVID pandemic, the EDON will lead the requirement to rebuild the nursing and allied health workforce, lifting capability and staff wellbeing across the health service. Additionally, the EDON will drive a focus on quality and safety of care alongside chief medical staff. The RCH sought a nursing professional with a strong leadership background and commitment to clinical excellence for nursing and allied health. The ideal appointee was described as strategic, innovative, adaptable, trustworthy, supportive and presenting with a clear desire to be part of a team.
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
Liz Jones, who led the search, had developed an enduring partnership with the health service over 14 years and was able to bring to the search a strong understanding of the organisation’s strategic imperatives. A specialised 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: As the lead consultant, Liz Jones completed a full briefing with the CEO and ED People and Culture 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 search process included contact with over 60 referral partners to gain their recommendations for potential candidates, or their own interest. The search was additionally supported by an online advertising campaign, providing broader exposure for the opportunity.
- 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. The shortlist briefing provided an opportunity for each candidate to be discussed in further detail.
- Final Evaluation: Future Leadership supported panel interviews for three highly qualified candidates, followed by full reference checking and appointment negotiation with the preferred candidate.
This rigorous process ensured the appointment of a candidate capable of driving clinical excellence for nursing and allied health while also continuing to positively develop the high performing culture.
Emerging Capabilities
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. 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.
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.
Clinical Governance
Proficiency in overseeing clinical standards and ensuring safe, effective healthcare delivery across nursing and allied health.
Operational Excellence in Health
Strong track record in managing healthcare operations within complex and multi-disciplinary environments, ensuring quality and efficiency.
The Outcome
With a career spanning over thirty years, the appointee is a highly experienced nursing leader who demonstrates more than 10 years’ executive level professional and operational experience within the Victorian public health sector.
Across the breadth of their career, the appointee had led strategy in patient safety and quality, workforce planning and industry based nursing and inter-professional education. With prior experience in executive nursing leadership positions in both major Victorian health services, the panel impressed with the appointee’s capacity to build strong relationships and deliver high quality care.
The Future Leadership team provided a thoroughly professional experience throughout the recruitment process. Their communication and information was always timely, comprehensive and supportive, ensuring that l could present my best self. I have no hesitation in recommending the Future Leadership team and engaging their services in the future. Thank you.
