Public | Nonprofit Sectors
Associations Executive Search
Where Associations Meet Top-Notch Talent
Associations Recruiters
Keller provides exemplary executive search services to trade associations, professional societies, and nonprofit organizations on a national and international level. Our consultants are mission-driven professionals with hands-on experience sourcing transformational leaders for these entities and others, ensuring they hire the best person for the job. Our NPAworldwide partnership also gives clients the opportunity to connect with candidates who would have remained otherwise inaccessible through traditional recruitment channels.
Nonprofits and associations typically operate under tight budget constraints, which makes it difficult for them to offer competitive salaries or invest in costly recruitment endeavors compared to the private sector. Additionally, many don’t have formal recruitment strategies in place and face skills gaps, especially as the demand for specialized roles continues to grow. These factors, combined with competition from for-profit employers, make recruitment for associations a complex and resource-intensive process.
Keller has a proven track record of finding leaders for associations who can improve membership engagement, spearhead groundbreaking advocacy initiatives, and fuel organizational growth. We know how to navigate the intricacies of this environment and consistently deliver exceptional results.
What We Do
Keller’s mission is to locate the top 1% of professionals for our clientele. By this we mean talented individuals who not only possess the necessary skills to succeed in a role, but also the right attitude and work ethic to fit in with the existing team. Aiding us in our mission is our tried and tested search process that we tailor to our clients’ specific needs. It comprises the following:
Assessment
Before we start any search, we analyze our client’s company culture and organizational goals to establish where their leadership team could be lacking. Then, we create a profile for the ideal candidate based on our findings. We use this as our guide for the rest of the search, ensuring the person we recommend for the job is the perfect match in every respect.
We also perform a rigorous evaluation of every candidate we meet that encompasses psychometric tests, competency-based assessments, and career history and background checks. Together, these help us determine whether or not a certain individual would be a good fit for our client’s role.
Talent Acquisition
Our extensive industry expertise and professional connections play a key role in our success as an executive search firm. Combined, they allow us to reach professionals for C-suite, upper, and mid-management positions, including Executive Directors, Chief Advocacy and Government Affairs Officers, Vice Presidents of Programs and Education, and many others.
Furthermore, our reach extends to both active and passive job seekers, enabling us to expand the pool of viable candidates beyond what our customers would be able to reach on their own.
Organization Transformation
In addition to our executive search expertise, we guide organizations through the complexities and pitfalls of change. We achieve this through our comprehensive advisory services that are grounded in the principles of Organizational Development. These include succession planning, workforce transformation, and other services that aid organizations in addressing persistent challenges, capitalizing on opportunities, and ultimately realizing the mission assigned to them by members and stakeholders.
Our Approach to Associations Executive Search
Keller understands how stressful, costly, and time-consuming the search for a new leader can be and the strain it puts on a company’s internal hiring team. We honor the uniqueness of every organization by adjusting our recruitment strategy to their needs, thereby ensuring more successful hires.
We commence every engagement with a meeting between our recruiters and our client’s search committee to find out more about their expectations for candidates. The insights we glean from this meeting inform the rest of the search and help us locate professionals who have what it takes to head up our client’s workforce.
We also utilize our vast network connections to identify high-potential talent who meet our client’s criteria. Additionally, our recruiters leverage cutting-edge recruiting technology and applicant tracking systems (ATS) to ensure every search is completed timeously and without delay.
When we select people for an open position, we look beyond their demographics and personal beliefs in the spirit of diversity and inclusion. We believe everyone deserves an equal chance at employment if they have the right qualifications for the position we are recruiting for. We also know the value that different perspectives can bring to a company and, therefore, do our part to help our clients make more diverse hires.
After we have established a pool of suitable candidates, we can begin contacting each one to establish their feelings and intentions about the role. Next, we meticulously assess every individual to ensure their skills and experience align with what is stated in their resumes. We also check their professional references and criminal history. This culminates in a shortlist of pre-screened candidates who have demonstrated their compatibility with the position’s requirements. We present this list to our client’s search committee, which decides who to hire.
Behind Our Recruitment Process
When Keller first entered the executive search field, we tried to use a single search method for every client. For a while, it produced satisfactory results, but we soon noticed it was lowering our rates of successful hires.
The turning point came after a high-profile search for an important client ended in failure and disappointment for all parties involved. A few of our team members may recall how we had treated the assignment the same as any other, sure we could deliver the right hire.
While we were able to secure a candidate with strong skills and experience, the individual clashed with the client’s culture. This created tension between the new hire and our client’s existing staff, which led to the former’s resignation. This setback, though unfortunate, provided us with the motivation we needed to rethink our approach from the ground up.
Since overhauling our methods, our placement numbers have improved, and we have earned a reputation for fast, effective executive search services. Clients now count on our deep insight and personal touch for even the most hard-to-fill positions.
Even as a top executive search firm, Keller has made learning a priority. Consequently, we welcome all client feedback and do our best to stay on top of emerging hiring trends so we can guide organizations toward long-term success.
For more advice on HR-related matters and Thought Leadership content, explore Keller’s Insights below.
Areas We Specialize In
Recruiting for trade groups, professional societies, and non-profit organizations is no easy task, particularly for high-impact roles that require a certain set of skills. This is because public agencies and institutions face complex challenges that do not affect private sector companies in the same way.
Fortunately, Keller has the expertise to address these challenges and help public sector enterprises reach their goals with the guidance of the right leadership. Additionally, our recruiters are familiar with staffing roles across various sub-industries within associations and the public sector, such as:
- Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations
- Courts and Justice Administration
- Cultural and Heritage Institutions
- Energy Regulation and Public Power
- Engineering and Technical Professional Societies
- Environmental Protection Agencies
- Federal Government Administration
- Financial Services Trade Associations
- Fire and Emergency Services
- Healthcare Industry Associations
- Housing and Urban Development
- International Development and Aid Agencies
- National Security and Defense
- Manufacturing Trade Associations
- Municipal Government Services
- Public Broadcasting and Media Services
- Public Education (K-12)
- Public Health and Hospital Systems
- Public Higher Education Systems
- Public Safety and Law Enforcement
- Public Transportation and Transit Authorities
- Revenue and Taxation Agencies
- Social and Community Services
- State Government Administration
- Utilities (Water, Sewerage, Waste)
Positions We Fill
Keller’s expertise extends to every leadership seat an association needs to flourish. Boards count on us for high-caliber Chief Executive Officers who can unify diverse stakeholders under a clear mission and growth plan. We also pinpoint Chief Financial Officers, Chief Operating Officers, and Chief Membership Officers, to name a few.
Beyond the C-suite, we recruit seasoned Chief Development Officers, Vice Presidents of Government Affairs, and Heads of Communications. Our talent bench also includes Directors of Education, Directors of Events, and leaders in Technology.
Whether an organization is a national trade body, a professional society, or a regional chamber of commerce, Keller secures leaders who have what it takes to advance advocacy, membership value, and lasting sustainability.
Why Choose Keller as your Association's Executive Search Partner?
Fuelled by the same passion for excellence as our partners, Keller finds exceptional leaders who can help their organizations reach new heights. Our clients’ success comes first, so we do our best to connect them with professionals who align with their culture from the get-go.
Our team’s deep industry knowledge and first-hand experience help us support our partners in making smarter hiring decisions. Their expertise, combined with our global network of senior talent, allows us to present only the most qualified professionals to our clients. At the same time, our tailored approach fosters lasting partnerships built on trust and shared wins.
Our Promise – The Right Hire
Collaborating with Keller grants companies access to professional, confidential support for every executive search. We follow strict NDAs and every data-protection regulation and law relevant to our clients’ locale, shielding both their interests and our candidates’ privacy.
We earned our reputation for consistently delivering top-notch professionals for associations by emphasizing quality over speed. We thoroughly vet every candidate and leave no stone unturned until we find the ideal match. Still, we recognize that no approach is without its flaws, including our own.
As such, every placement carries a 90-day guarantee in case a hire falls short of expectations or leaves their post within this timeframe. In other words, we will repeat the search at no extra cost within these parameters. This pledge underscores our commitment to lasting results and placements that make a positive difference.
Appoint Keller as your executive search ally and discover the leadership your organization deserves.
Client Testimonials
We run a lean recruiting team, so we turned to Keller for a C-suite role. We loved how they listened, shared regular progress reports, and found us three stellar candidates within a month.
- Darren K., People Operations Director
We were wary of external search firms, but Keller felt like an extension of our team. They gave us calm guidance, honest feedback, and a steady flow of candidates who fit our culture.
- Jade L., Staffing Manager
We partnered with Keller to build our succession bench. We worked together on competency mapping and targeted outreach. We now have successors for every key post who are ready to step in when we need them to.
- Carlos R., Head of Executive Hiring
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Your Premier HR Partner
Tailored Excellence
Our dedicated senior consultants provide attention to detail at every stage of the search process, ensuring tailored results that exceed expectations
Nationwide / Global Talent Acquisition
Leveraging our extensive network, we identify and attract world-class leadership candidates from diverse backgrounds and locations
HR Advisory Services
We offer expert advice to optimize HR processes, boost efficiency, reduce workload, and increase employee retention and engagement.
Fast Turnaround time
Our consultants expedite searches, cutting time-to-hire while securing the best talent available.
Comprehensive Solutions
Beyond recruitment, we provide value-added services from organizational health to leadership development programs
Our Search Practices
Keller follows the highest industry standards when searching for talent for its clients.
Replacement Program
We contractually commit to replacing any hire that doesn't meet expectations.
Industry-Leading Assessments
We provide thorough evaluations, including personality insights, for shortlisted candidates.
Off-Limits Protection
We protect our clients’ interests by marking their entire company workforce off-limits for our candidate sourcing. We prioritize your business excellence.
Dedicated Points of Contact
Every client has two points of contact with Keller. An account manager and a senior consultant This ensures fast & continued response
Unbiased Third-Party References
We conduct extensive background checks, covering credit, education, criminal, and employment history. We also perform security checks when needed.
