The vendor is required to provide from professional search firms with particular expertise to assist them in the search for candidates for the vice president of advancement and executive director (VPA/ED) of the university foundation with the end result being a successful hire.
- The search firm is expected to work with the committee and president to:
• Refine a leadership profile (the profile) that reflects the skills, leadership and management experience, and vision needed to inspire and lead advancement operations at university, and the firm’s knowledge of the higher education marketplace, specifically within the area of university advancement and development.
• Advertise the profile and build a diverse, highly qualified applicant pool (the first pool), including engaging qualified passive candidates.
• Provide guidance on the committee’s timeline to hire
• Assist the committee in developing a data-based scoring matrix or candidate screening instrument, based on the criteria identified in the profile to screen the first pool, to determine which candidates are qualified for interview.
• Assist in the coordination and scheduling of second pool interviews for the committee.
• The committee in developing interview questions and protocols for the second pool interviews, based on the criteria identified in the profile, and applicable law
• This deliverable is not seeking legal advice, but the questions and protocol should be structured in a compliant manner.
• Conduct comprehensive and extensive background, reference, and character checks of third pool candidates (second pool candidates ranked favorably during the interviews) from which the committee will create a list of finalists(s) for on-campus visits.
• Assist in the coordination and scheduling of finalist(s) on-campus stakeholder meetings.
• Assist the committee in developing interview questions and protocol for the finalist(s) interviews during the on-campus visit
• Administer a survey instrument to each stakeholder group after its respective on-campus meeting with the finalist(s) and provide the data to the committee.
- Search firm’s responsibilities:
• The firm must provide professional guidance to the committee and president in effectively targeting a diversity of outstanding candidates for this position.
• Work with the committee to cultivate a diverse, qualified applicant first pool.
• Then narrow the first pool to the second and third pools, in order for the committee to select finalist(s).
• Communicate with candidates and finalist(s).
• The firm shall work closely with the committee to evaluate and communicate with second and third pool candidates.
• The firm may be expected to travel to meet with candidates and university representatives. it should be noted that reimbursements and expenses may be subject to the university’s travel policy and approved rates.
• The firm may be asked to conduct additional personal and professional background and reference checks, verifying facts and performance data provided by finalist(s) and assessing the finalist(s)’s overall fundraising, leadership and management ability.
• The firm may be required to assist in the negotiations with finalist(s) as requested by the president and committee.
• The president reserves the right to announce the hiring of the new VPA/ED.
- Contract Period/Term: 3 Month
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: April 11, 2025