Hiring Nonprofit Leadership – Questions to Ask Search Firm

by William J. Moran, J.D., M.S.Ed.

1.   What is your background in the nonprofit sector?  What is your background in our field? (ex., child welfare, education, hospital foundation, etc.)  What searches have you done in this field?

2.   What is your background specifically with this position (ex., Executive Director/CEO, Development/Fundraising, CFO/Controller etc.).  How many searches have you done for this position?

3.   How can we determine appropriate salary levels for this position?

4.   What is your search process?

• • How long do your searches usually take?
  • Will this be a regional or national search?
  • What is your process in advertising the position?
  • What is your process in recruiting candidates not actively seeking a job change (passive candidates)
  • What is your screening process for candidates before bringing them to us? By telephone?  Face-to-face?
  • How do you work with a board search committee?
  • Are you present at the semi-final interviews?  At final interviews?
  • What status reports do you provide on search progress?  How often?
  • Do you do online searches on the candidates?
  • Do you conduct credit/criminal background checks?  Additional fee?

5.   What are your fees?  How are they paid?

6.   Who pays expenses?  What is a range of expenses for a typical search?

7.  What is your guarantee if the placed person leaves?

Bill Moran, The Moran Company, specializes in nonprofit executive searches for executive directors and fundraising staff.

© 2012 The Moran Company
“We find great nonprofit executives”