Hiring an executive director for a nonprofit is challenging due to the multifaceted nature of the role, which demands excellence in leadership, management, fundraising, financial acumen, strategic planning, and communication. The ideal candidate must not only be passionate about the mission but also possess a rare combination of these skills and a pragmatic business sense. Furthermore, the executive director must balance the needs and expectations of various stakeholders—board members, staff, donors, and clients—requiring exceptional interpersonal and diplomatic abilities.
Given these complexities and the resource constraints many nonprofits face, this resource aims to assist board members and leadership staff in making informed hiring decisions that enhance their organization’s impact and sustainability.
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Decisive Leadership | Leaders must drive the pace of decision-making, frame problems, signal viable solutions, gather feedback, revise, and resignal in an iterative process. Effective leaders facilitate but also sometimes need to lead decisively without waiting for full consensus. |
Can you tell us about a time you needed to make an urgent strategic decision in a prior role that did not go well?
Ownership of Mistake: The candidate clearly states their role in the decision and acknowledges responsibility.
Reflection and Learning: The candidate discusses what they learned from the experience and how they applied those lessons in the future.
Specificity: The candidate provides detailed examples of the situation, decision, and consequences.
Problem-Solving and Improvement: The candidate describes the steps they took to address the issues that arose and prevent similar problems in the future.
Red Flags
FirstWho’s Social Impact Hiring Institute (SIHI) provides resources to nonprofits and public benefit companies to promote evidence-based methods for attracting and selecting leaders who create meaningful social impact.
