Committing to Support Your New Hire Before You Start the Search Process

Preparation doesn’t stop once the job offer is made. One of the biggest breakdowns in executive searches happens after the hire, when support drops off and expectations become unclear. Before the search begins, boards should plan for:

• A structured onboarding process for the new Executive Director

• Regular 1:1 meetings between the Board Chair and the new leader

• Clear evaluation metrics and timelines

• A commitment to... Read More »

Addressing Organizational Challenges Before Starting the Executive Search

A search process will surface organizational realities, whether you name them or not. Culture challenges, communication gaps, unclear priorities, or past hiring difficulties don’t disappear during a search. In fact, they often become more visible.

Prepared boards take time to ask:

• What hasn’t worked in previous leadership transitions?

• Where are we experiencing internal tension or misalignment?

• What capacity do we realistically have to support a new... Read More »

Defining the Decision-Making Process for Hiring

One of the most common sources of conflict in a search is an unclear process not disagreements. Before reviewing candidates, boards should align on:

• How candidates will be evaluated (rubric, criteria, scoring)

• How many candidates will move through each stage

• How feedback from the committee, staff, and stakeholders will be used

• Who has final authority to make the hiring decision

A clear process creates confidence... Read More »

Building a Strong, Representative Search Committee

The search committee is responsible for guiding the process, evaluating candidates, and making recommendations. The composition of this group matters. A strong committee includes:

• Board members who understand governance and decision-making responsibilities

• Individuals with relevant expertise (finance, HR, fundraising, operations, etc.)

• Representation that reflects the community and mission of the organization

• Members who have the time and capacity to engage fully in the search... Read More »

  Align on Roles for Board vs. Staff During an Executive Search

  Posted on May 7, 2026 by Agnes Zach | Nonprofit Professionals Now
  

  Executive searches can quickly become complicated when roles are unclear. Staff bring valuable insight. They understand day-to-day operations, team dynamics, and leadership impact. But the board holds responsibility for hiring the Executive Director.

  Before launching the search, boards should clarify:

  • What role staff will play in the process (input vs. decision-making)
  • Who is responsible for final hiring decisions
  • How feedback will be gathered and... Read More »

  Get Clear on What You Actually Need from Your Next Executive Director

  Posted on April 30, 2026 by Agnes Zach | Nonprofit Professionals Now
  

  Before discussing candidates, the board needs to align on the role itself. This is where many searches start to go off track. Boards often try to hire for everything at once–growth, stability, fundraising, culture change, team leadership–without prioritizing what matters most right now.

  Start with:

  • The top 2-3 outcomes the new Executive Director must achieve in the first 12-18 months
  • Whether the organization needs... Read More »
  
  

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