Public | Nonprofit Sectors

Government Executive Search

Government

Locating top-tier talent for public sector roles

Government Recruiters

Keller provides executive search services to local government and non-profit clients, consistently delivering outstanding candidates for their needs. Clients benefit not only from partnering with our seasoned executive recruiters, who have years of hands-on experience recruiting for small, medium, and large local governments, but also save valuable time and resources that they can direct elsewhere. Clients also get access to our extensive network and connections through our NPAworldwide membership, which enable us to identify candidates who can help meet our clients’ strategic objectives.

Recruiting for local governments and public sector organizations in the United States comes with its own set of challenges. First, a large portion of public sector employees are nearing retirement age. This impending wave of retirements creates another problem: ensuring institutional knowledge and specialized skills get passed on to new hires.

Local governments are also struggling to attract candidates from the younger generation due to competition from the private sector, which often offers higher salaries, more advancement opportunities, and increased flexibility in the workplace—benefits that younger candidates have begun to expect from employment opportunities in recent years.

Furthermore, the public sector is facing acute labor shortages in specialized and high-stress jobs such as nursing, law enforcement, engineering, and skilled trades. The increased workloads, burnout, and limited advancement opportunities associated with these roles make them difficult to fill.

These are just a handful of the complexities of hiring for local governments that Keller can assist with.

Our executive search firm provides local government consulting services, helping public sector organizations get access to the talent they need to deliver essential services effectively. Our deep understanding of the public sector, coupled with our tailored approach and exceptional client service, sets us apart from other agencies.

What We Do

Keller’s goal is to find candidates for public sector employers who not only possess the right mindset and expertise to excel in their roles, but also the right leadership style to connect with the rest of their teams. Our customized approach takes all the nuances of a company’s culture and industry into account, ensuring we deliver the best candidates for its unique needs. To complete our goal, we adhere to a stringent search and selection process that encompasses the following:

Government

Assessment

Before we begin the actual search, we perform a detailed analysis of our client’s firm to determine where their leadership team may be lacking. We then use the results of our analysis to assist us in locating the ideal candidate to fill any gaps.

After gathering the resumes of promising individuals, we meticulously assess each one to establish whether or not they would be a good fit for the hiring criteria and corporate culture. Our evaluation goes beyond face value, diving deep into each candidate’s psyche and work ethic to determine if they would gel with the rest of our client’s team.

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Talent Acquisition

One of the key benefits Keller’s client firms get when partnering with us is access to our extensive industry insights and global connections. Our network makes it possible for us to reach candidates in the public sector and beyond, including those actively seeking new positions and those who are already employed but are open to pursuing new opportunities. In other words, we give employers the opportunity to connect with professionals who may be otherwise inaccessible, broadening the pipeline of talent available to them. This speeds up the time-to-hire and reduces hiring costs down the line.

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Organization Transformation

In addition to our executive search expertise, Keller offers a suite of HR consulting services that can help simplify and streamline processes and workflows. This, in turn, helps to maintain operational efficiency and boost employee engagement and retention rates. Some of the services we offer include succession planning, compensation consulting, and leadership development.

Our Approach to Government Executive Search

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As a frontrunner in executive search, Keller understands that each organization requires something different from the next and that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to recruiting executive talent. Thus, we sit down with our clients at the beginning of every assignment to fully comprehend their team dynamics and human resources needs. We then mindfully construct our search strategy around what they require, which increases our chances of locating the perfect match.

Once we have a clear picture of the most desirable candidate for our client’s organization, we start surveying the market for available talent. To ensure we complete the executive search timeously, our consultants utilize applicant tracking systems (ATS) and other advanced recruitment software to accelerate the time it takes to find candidates who align with the requirements.

A cornerstone of our mission here at Keller is to champion diversity and inclusion throughout our executive search process. We understand the cultural and business value of hiring individuals across different ethnic backgrounds, genders, and age groups and, therefore, concentrate on candidates’ professional accomplishments rather than their appearances or personal belief systems.

After establishing a talent pool and confirming each candidate’s genuine interest in the role, we meticulously screen and assess each one. Those who demonstrate the highest level of compatibility with the hiring criteria are shortlisted and introduced to the client for final interviews.

Behind Our Recruitment Process

Keller’s executive recruitment process is one of the best the industry has to offer, gaining us worldwide recognition as a provider of effective executive search solutions. However, this wasn’t always the case. As some of our team members may remember, we initially employed a generic recruitment strategy that paid no attention to the unique differences between our client firms. Additionally, it did not consider the complexities of hiring for the public sector, and our rates of successful placements suffered as a result.

Our firm’s turning point came when we were tasked with recruiting for a leadership role for a major client. Our approach was poorly suited to the assignment, and our chosen candidate ended up butting heads with our client’s existing leaders. Ultimately, the placement was a failure, and we decided to reevaluate our recruitment strategy to identify its shortfalls.

With the help of our executive search consultants, we transformed the way we conduct searches, adopting a more customer-focused method that considered our client organizations’ unique needs. This change led to improved placements where candidates were a better cultural fit, resulting in higher retention rates and hires making a positive impact at their firms.

Although we are now recognized as one of the world’s leading executive search firms, we believe there is always room for improvement. As such, we are dedicated to continuous learning and staying abreast with the most recent developments in the field so we are well-positioned to advise our clients on hiring-related matters.

For guidance on enhancing HR systems and processes to improve your employees’ experience in the workplace, consult Keller’s Insights and Thought Leadership content below.

Some Areas We Specialize In

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The combination of demographic changes, resource constraints, and procedural hurdles makes recruitment a persistent and complex challenge for local government organizations across various regions. Keller can help alleviate some of these difficulties for companies spanning multiple industries within the public sector, including, but not limited to:

  • Census and Statistical Agencies
  • Education Administration
  • Emergency Management
  • Energy and Utilities Regulation
  • Environmental Regulation
  • Foreign Affairs and Diplomacy
  • Government Contracting
  • Homeland Security
  • Immigration and Border Services
  • Intelligence and National Security
  • Justice and Corrections
  • Labor and Employment Regulation
  • Law Enforcement
  • Military and Defense
  • Procurement and Supply Chain for the Public Sector
  • Public Administration
  • Public Health
  • Public Housing and Development
  • Public Policy and Legislative Affairs
  • Regulatory Affairs
  • Social Services
  • Taxation and Revenue
  • Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Urban Planning
  • Water Resource Management

Positions We Fill

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As a leading executive search provider, Keller comprehends the unique responsibilities and demands of leadership roles within local government and public sector organizations. Roles that often require experienced professionals with a deep understanding of civic duty combined with operational excellence.

Our experienced team is comprised of individuals who have previously helped staff leadership roles in governmental agencies, school districts, regulatory bodies, and city and county governments. They understand firsthand the nuances of recruiting for the public sector due to their knowledge of this industry. This, coupled with their passion for serving the field, allows them to deliver leaders who are not only qualified but also aligned with the mission-driven culture of public service institutions.

From Public Health Directors and Policy Advisors to City Managers and Chief Procurement Officers, Keller’s tailored executive search services offer public sector clients access to high-caliber talent that may not always respond to traditional outreach methods. Our search method is tried and tested, and we are committed to strengthening public leadership with candidates who can fuel transformation, manage limited resources, and build trust within communities.

Why Choose Keller as your Government Executive Search Partner?

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With many years of experience and executive recruitment expertise, Keller knows how to navigate the governmental environment. We are invested in our clients’ success and endeavor to deliver candidates who possess the necessary skills and mindset to excel in executive roles within the public sector. Our knowledge of how to conduct interviews and negotiate offers is unparalleled and enables us to secure the talent our clients need.

Furthermore, our in-depth understanding of the industry helps us guide clients through the recruitment and selection processes, helping them make more informed choices. Similarly, our vast network and NPAworldwide membership offer a shortcut to talent that they likely would not have been able to connect with on their own. Finally, our personal touch assists us in building long-term relationships with our clients, becoming lifelong allies in executive search and recruitment.

Our Promise – The Right Hire

When you hire Keller, you are guaranteed the kind of outstanding service you would expect from a top-notch executive search firm. Our discreet outreach methods ensure the confidentiality of your search, so you can have peace of mind about your business’s safety and security. We also abide by your region’s data protection laws and regulations, pledging to never sell your information to third parties.

Our firm understands that filling executive roles requires a high degree of finesse, so we do our best to streamline the process, eliminating lengthy hiring times and keeping costs to a minimum. That being said, we realize that even the most carefully laid plans can sometimes misfire due to circumstances out of our control.

So, Keller provides a 90-day guarantee on every placement we make, pledging to find a suitable replacement for any hire who does not meet your expectations. The repeat search will be conducted free of charge, using the same parameters that were decided on at the onset of our engagement to avoid delays.

Find out what Keller can do for your business by contacting us today.

Client Testimonials

We trusted Keller with a critical C‑suite search. They showed us three perfect fits, and the hardest part was choosing just one. We’ll be back for our next hire.

- Omar T., Staffing Director

Sourcing diverse candidates was a struggle before we partnered with Keller. Their network opened doors we didn’t even know existed, and our leadership bench is stronger because of it.

- Julie B., Chief Human Resources Officer

We appreciate partners who act like an extension of our own team. Keller shared insights, answered questions, and celebrated with us when we signed our new COO. That personal touch makes all the difference.

- Marcus L., Head of Global Recruiting

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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