Executive Search

Executive Search for Chief Executive Officer

Date Posted:16 January 2025
Consultant:Liz Jones

Conducting an executive search to appoint a leader who will develop and maintain strong stakeholder relationships and drive growth opportunities

Aust Dental Council Case Study

The Brief

This  independent accreditation authority is primarily focussed a focus on ensuring public safety and safe and ethical standards of care across their profession. The Board sought to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to support the ongoing growth and development of the organisation.  

The organisation is responsible for accrediting education and training programs, developing accreditation standards, policies, and procedures for Australian-based practitioner programs, assessing the professional qualifications, knowledge, judgement, and clinical skills of overseas trained practitioners and developing standards, policies, and procedures for the assessment of qualifications and skills of overseas qualified dental practitioners

The CEO plays a crucial role in the development and implementation of strategic plans, cultivating strong relationships with key stakeholders, providing quality structures and systems to support the expanding activities for the day-to-day operations, and upholding the ADC’s reputation for excellence and integrity.

9.19.1

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.

10,000+10,000+

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.

50.5%50.5%

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.

98%98%

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

A workshop facilitated by the Future Leadership team with the full Board provided a highly nuanced understanding of the organisation, its challenges and the preferred profile of the successful candidate. Subsequent meetings were held with the Executive which provided additional information in relation to the current operating environment and culture of the organisation.

The search process focussed on candidates with relevant experience gained in health policy, strong strategic leadership and management experience, prior experience in education and regulatory environments and exposure to accreditation and assessment processes.  The Future Leadership team engaged with extended networks to gain referrals to high calibre candidates, while also making targeted approaches to known individuals. The Board Chair was provided with regular updates throughout the process.

Two rounds of panel interviews were conducted, with the final three candidates presenting to the Board for 30 minutes on agreed topics.  Full administration support was provided to the Selection Panel including the provision of interview questions, meeting scheduling and management, and candidate logistics.  The process was completed with 360-degree reference checks and contract negotiation support from the lead consultant.

Emerging Capabilities

01.

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.

02.

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.

03.

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.

04.

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.

05.

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.

06.

Personal Growth

Adopts a growth mindset, building self-awareness. Motivated to continuously develop personally and professionally - one's own knowledge, skills, and personal attributes and self-insight. Reflects regularly on ways to improve self, regularly evolving self, focusing on the whole person.

The Outcome

The successful appointee was confirmed and commenced with the organisation in late July 2024.  Described as dynamic, creative and globally minded, the appointee had previously led organisations at a national and international level.  Most recently they provided leadership to a global membership organisation based in London.

A natural systems thinker and connector, they bring to the organisation prior experience leading extensive accreditation and assessment programs along with the ability solve problems through collaboration.  With a strong alignment to the vision of the organisation, the appointee was excited by the future growth and opportunities from this appointment.

Consultant

Liz Jones

Managing Partner View Profile
Candidate Testimonial

This is the first time in many years I have been a candidate for a new role, and I can honestly say that the experience of working with Fisher Leadership to secure this position has been an absolute delight. The way that Liz Jones and the team collaborated to prepare me for the recruitment process, and kept me informed at each stage, was excellent. I have worked with many recruiters during my career and the Fisher Leadership team are some of the best. They are warm, friendly, professional, and responsive. I could not recommend them more highly to candidates seeking to explore new career opportunities.

Appointed Chief Executive Officer
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