Public | Nonprofit Sectors
Keller is an executive search and recruitment firm that helps find and develop transformational leaders for roles within economic, social, and human development organizations. We help clients save time and money that they can redirect to more strategic initiatives through our proactive, tailored approach and global network. Our recruiters have first-hand experience filling executive leadership positions within this sector and are adept at developing solutions to address talent and selection challenges.
Unlike the private sector, where compensation and career advancement are the main motivators, professionals in the economic, social, and human development sector must be capable of speaking the language of both business and mission. Their management skills also need to be able to handle complex community needs and relationships with stakeholders. This unique skill set narrows the talent pool and makes cultural fit a crucial, yet difficult, consideration.
No one understands these complexities better than Keller. Partnering with us gives organizations involved in economic, social, and human development access to leaders who can navigate this often turbulent landscape, while helping to create meaningful change within their communities.
At Keller, our main objective is to identify professionals who have what it takes to lead mission-driven organizations. We cater to both non-profit and for-profit enterprises, ensuring they get the talent they need to make a difference in the world. This is where our rigorous search and selection processes come in:
At the start of every assignment, we conduct a detailed assessment of the organization’s culture and workforce to develop a profile for the ideal candidate. This ensures we deliver the most qualified and suitable professional for the position.
Once we have built a portfolio of promising candidates, we thoroughly vet each one to confirm their compatibility with the organization’s needs and culture. Our evaluation goes deeper than just a candidate’s professional track record; we also assess their personality, work ethic, motivational drivers, and leadership style to ensure they align with the organization’s values.
Keller’s economic, social, and human development recruiters are equipped with an in-depth knowledge of the industry that empowers our partners to make better hiring decisions. Our partnership with NPAworldwide also grants access to global resources and connections that make it possible for us to contact professionals who are already employed but open to the right opportunities. This broadens the pool of available talent, granting access to individuals whom our client firms would not be able to reach through traditional recruitment methods. This accelerates the hiring process, cutting down on the time and costs associated with executive search.
While our main area of expertise lies in sourcing executive leadership, Keller also provides various HR consulting services to assist organizations in optimizing their human capital management and HR function. These include, but are not limited to, organizational and workforce development, performance management, strategic planning, and compensation consulting.
Keller’s personalized recruitment strategy is mindful of the differences between organizations and recognizes the limitations of a generic search approach. We, therefore, engage in open, collaborative discussions with the leaders and other important stakeholders at our client’s firm at the start of every search. This allows us to get a feel for the dynamics of their existing team and identify talent gaps. We use the insights we glean from these interactions to create a recruitment plan that is tailored to their individual needs, which promotes the possibility of finding the right person for the job.
After laying the foundation for the search, our consultants tap into our extensive network to find potential candidates. To ensure we deliver the best talent without delay, we employ applicant tracking systems (ATS) and state-of-the-art recruitment technology. These tools allow us to pinpoint candidates in a fraction of the time it would take the client to find on their own.
Our engagement does not end once we have identified a pool of suitable talent. On the contrary, we contact each candidate to affirm their genuine interest in the position and carefully vet the final contenders. We then present the list of finalists to our client, who may conduct their own set of interviews and assessments. Once a new hire has been chosen, we assist with the negotiation and onboarding processes and remain available for three months after the placement to ensure that the chosen candidate transitions smoothly into the role.
At Keller, our commitment to sourcing high-quality candidates extends to championing individuals from diverse backgrounds. We know the benefits of hiring people across different demographics for businesses, acknowledging the contributions that varied perspectives bring to the table. As such, we do our best to eliminate unconscious bias from our decision-making processes and focus on candidates’ professional merits rather than their age, gender, or ethnicity.
Keller’s customized approach to executive search and recruitment has earned us a worldwide reputation for outstanding talent acquisition solutions across numerous industries. However, our recognition didn’t happen overnight. As several members of our team may recall, we had to build our reputation from the ground up.
When we began to offer our search services, we employed a standardized recruitment approach that could not account for all the nuances of the companies we were recruiting for. Thus, not all of our initial searches were successful. We continued on this way for a while, until we met our match through one particular engagement.
The turning point for our company came when a prominent client hired us to locate a suitable individual for a high-level leadership role at their firm. Our methodology was ill-suited to the task, and our placement suffered as a result. The candidate we recommended did not see eye-to-eye with the rest of our client’s leadership team, leading to internal conflict and decreased morale.
Ultimately, our recommendation resigned and we realized that a change was in order. Calling on the help of our executive search consultants, we reformed our entire methodology and adopted a more client-focused approach that would account for every organization’s unique needs. Following this transformation, our rates of successful placements steadily went up, with our candidates being better culturally aligned and making more positive contributions at their firms.
Despite our worldwide recognition as a premier executive search firm, Keller is dedicated to continuous learning. This allows us to improve our offerings and continue to provide a relevant service to our clients. In light of this, we stay up-to-date with the latest research and developments in the field, which puts us in a better position to serve businesses in recruitment-related affairs.
Read Keller’s exclusive Insights on recruitment, talent retention, and building inclusive workplaces below.
Executive recruitment for the economic, social, and human development sector is often fraught with significant resource and budget constraints and, in the public sector, regulatory and political considerations. Keller can help mitigate these challenges with our extensive experience placing candidates in leadership roles within this industry and its related fields. For example:
As a leader in executive search and recruitment, Keller recognizes that candidates for leadership positions in the economic, social, and human development sector require more than just technical skills to excel; they also need vision, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to driving systemic change.
We have a team of seasoned professionals with previous experience staffing high-level roles in the industry. Their insights enable us to recruit across a wide spectrum of leadership roles, from Chief Strategy Officers to Program Directors. Moreover, our tailored search approach allows us to deliver top candidates who not only possess the requisite skills to lead effectively but also align with the mission, values, and operating context of public service organizations.
Whether you are an NGO, government agency, multilateral enterprise, or mission-driven organization, Keller can help identify and attract senior leaders who can inspire diverse teams, navigate complexity, and deliver incredible impact.
In an industry where leadership turnover can hinder progress and compromise trust, Keller offers a stable, strategic partnership. Our many years of experience have empowered us to navigate the non-profit and social impact landscape with ease, allowing us to deliver lasting placements. This furthers our mission of bolstering our clients’ business success with the right person for their specific needs.
As subject matter experts in the economic, social, and human development sector, our recruiters can assist clients with decision-making, ensuring they select hires who are capable of fuelling growth and innovation both now and in the future. Our commitment also extends well beyond the initial hire; offering support for onboarding, transition, and succession planning. This, combined with our personalized search method, allows us to foster lasting relationships with our clientele.
For organizations driving social change on an international level, Keller is a true ally in recruitment, delivering outstanding leaders who transform mission into movement.
Keller promises to deliver the kind of exceptional service you would expect from a premier executive search firm. This includes a high level of confidentiality and discretion throughout your search, ensuring the safety and security of your organization is never compromised. We also observe the data protection laws and regulations that are applicable in your region, so you can have peace of mind that the information you provide us will be handled with the utmost care.
While we take every reasonable measure to ensure a positive hiring outcome, we acknowledge life’s unexpected turns. To account for this, we offer a 90-day placement guarantee. In the event that a candidate we recommend does not meet targets or resigns within the first three months of hiring, we will offer to redo the search at no extra cost to you.
Discover how Keller can assist you on your executive search journey by contacting us today.
Keller doesn't just fill positions; they find visionary leaders who have what it takes to make a positive impact at their firms. We've experienced this firsthand and we're grateful for their partnership.
- Lauren G., Recruiting Lead
Our experience with Keller has been nothing short of excellent. They really listened and brought us candidates who fit both skills and culture. Their team made the whole process smooth and personal.
- Marcella B., Recruitment Coordinator
Keller’s approach to executive search is both strategic and caring. They worked tirelessly to find candidates who not only met the criteria but also shared our company values. Highly recommend.
- Adam H., HR Director