Conducting an Executive Search for a Strategic and Culture-focused Executive Director People and Culture
The Brief
A leading healthcare institution leveraged its strong relationship with Future Leadership to engage a search for an Executive Director, People and Culture. Future Leadership was selected on the basis of deep expertise and extensive networks within the health sector. The Executive Director was to drive a customer-focused people and culture team, focusing on systems improvement, processes and service as a high priority. The client sought a candidate with strong leadership skills who would contribute as a key member of the executive team, partnering closely with the CEO to think ahead and bring ideas and thoughts to the table.
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™ assembled a specialised team, and an experienced research and administration team, to lead the search. Key steps included:
- Targeted Search and Talent Pooling: Following an in-depth briefing with the CEO, Future Leadership™ conducted a search process utilising known referral partners and networks, supplemented by an online advertising process. The lead consultant reached out to candidates with prior experience in the health sector in addition to individuals with strong leadership experience.
- Comprehensive Shortlisting: The client was presented with a long list of seven highly qualified candidates (internal and external) with exceptional experience not only within the health sector but also with transferable experience from education and the public sectors.
- Panel Interviews and Strategic Presentation: The client chose to interview all seven candidates in the first-round panel interviews. Two appointable candidates participated in a follow-up coffee meeting with the CEO followed by an additional panel interview which included a presentation from the candidates. The process was completed with 360 degree reference checks and full reports provided to the client for consideration.
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.
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.
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.
Systems Thinking
Systematically breaks down siloes across the operating environment and connects stakeholders to harness convergent ideas. Understands the leverage points of systems change and demonstrates the ability to think beyond known systems.
Organisational Capability
Anticipates future workplace skills and requirements and builds capability across the organisation. Pro-actively seeks opportunities to develop other people’s talent and career pathways and takes appropriate action to address skill gaps in others.
The Outcome
The Selection Committee identified a preferred candidate. Future Leadership™ undertook rigorous 360-degree reference checks and presented comprehensive written reports to the Selection Committee. The Executive Search teams targeted search and close collaboration with the health services leadership enabled an efficient and effective appointment process.
Liz Jones and the Future leadership team set the benchmark for a positive search and selection experience. From start to finish, balanced supportive advice and information were provided together with regular updates. The candidate care was exemplary and I really valued the respect, advice and coaching provided by not only Liz but the broader team as well. The entire process ran efficiently and the experience felt balanced and robust ensuring a wonderful match and a great platform upon which to build success.
