What Kind of Executive Director Does Your Nonprofit Need? You Might Be Surprised.

When we begin an executive director search with a new nonprofit partner, we typically hear two things: #1 – “It will be impossible to replace our departing CEO; we are looking for a unicorn,” and #2 – “We want someone who will come and stay.” Both are true, and both are false. Let me explain.

HOW IMPORTANT IS STABILITY?

Executive stability in leadership is important in a nonprofit organization. Board and staff leadership working together to set a vision and bring it to life can result in transformational change for the people and communities the organization serves. This work can take time to come to fruition. At The Moran Company, our nonprofit executive recruitment strategies always include a review of potential candidates’ experience and tenure as we assess their fit for the position we are seeking to fill. A revolving door of leadership – both on the staff side and on the board side – can say something about the organization, conveying a message to your funders and supporters that you don’t intend to send.

However, change can be good.

LOOKING FOR A CLONE? OR A UNICORN?

Many times, when we begin executive search conversations with nonprofit boards of directors, they express their desire for an exact replica of the departing CEO and lament how difficult it will be to find and replace those skills. As we deepen our work with the nonprofit, however, we learn more about the organization, its needs and its opportunities. As we listen and learn, we hear the nonprofit’s stakeholders begin to identify exciting opportunities that new executive skills and energy can bring to the organization. Throughout the years of our executive search experience, we have worked with nonprofit organizations that a strong and steady leader grew over the years, and we have watched those nonprofit organizations expand into new areas as a new Executive Director with fresh thoughts and ideas came on board. The hard work and dedication of a longtime leader is to be lovingly acknowledged, gratefully appreciated and even revered. However, the new ideas and energy that may come with an executive change can catapult an organization to new heights.

WHEN SHORT-TERM WORKS:

We recently talked with a nonprofit association in need of a new CEO after more than 2 decades of stable, singular leadership. The board was very specifically looking for a short-term change agent, to shake things up a bit after more than 20 years of stability. This is just what the organization needed at this juncture – another “steady” leader would not have been a fit for the goals of this dynamic organization.

Although executive stability is an important rule of thumb, it’s imperative to remember that a long-term leader isn’t always what your nonprofit organization needs. The earlier example offers one scenario – the nonprofit breaking out with new innovations after years of stability. For nonprofits that are experiencing challenges and need to make some significant, and often difficult, adjustments, sometimes a shorter-term change agent to right the ship is what the organization needs. For an organization getting ready to embark on a public or high impact outward facing campaign, perhaps a high energy, charismatic leader building interest and support in the nonprofit’s mission is what is needed during that phase of the organizational life cycle. It is important for the nonprofit board of directors to recognize the organization’s needs at each unique moment in its history. An executive search firm like The Moran Company can be an instrumental partner in making this assessment.

At The Moran Company, we have worked with hundreds of nonprofit organizations to recruit their next leader. Read more about what we do. We can help you assess your organization’s needs and find the right nonprofit Executive Director or CEO to meet your goals. Contact us today for a free consultation. We’re happy to help.

By Mary Ontko, M.P.A.
Senior Vice President & COO
The Moran Company
“We Find Great Nonprofit Executives”