A HIGHER STANDARD IN EXECUTIVE SEARCH

OUR PROCESS

GALLAGHER-FENNELL HIGHER EDUCATION SERVICES offers a proven process that is flexible and easily customized to each client's needs. From assisting in developing the search timeline to providing guidance with negotiations at the conclusion, the principals are partners with the board and guides for the search committee.

Throughout, the firm does the heavy lifting, electronically receiving and acknowledging nominations and applications, keeping candidates abreast of the search's progress, maintaining contact with candidates, and preparing materials for the search committee and board.

The principals pride themselves on their accessibility to clients and on their reputation as brokers who value the role that confidentiality plays in their relationship with clients and applicants.

• Pre-Search Visit
  One or both of the firm's principals will spend two days on campus meeting with representative constituent groups and stakeholders (search committee, cabinet members, administrators, faculty, trustees, staff, students, alumni, and sponsors) and eliciting their recommendations, which will become integral components of a needs analysis and assessment.
• Institutional Profile/Position Specification Preparation
  The assessment will be the basis for the institutional profile that, after approval by the board, will become the policy document for the search. Typically, the profile is posted on an institution's Web site where it is available to nominators and potential candidates.
• Identifying, Recruiting, and Evaluating Candidates
  While advertising in appropriate publications and posting on professional Web sites and email lists are expected parts of any search, GALLAGHER-FENNELL HIGHER EDUCATION SERVICES goes beyond by reaching out through its network to individuals and by canvassing institutions and professional organizations for viable candidates. Critical to the process leading to the identification and interviewing of semi-finalists, the firm's principals engage in careful review of resumes, degree verification, and extensive interviewing before presenting applicants to the search committee for consideration.
• Selecting Finalists
  The firm provides guidelines for semi-finalist interviews; recommending a format for the interviews as well as institution- and candidate-specific questions. Principals will be present for the interview sessions if the committee wishes
• Due Diligence
  Thorough due diligence (credit, financial, litigation background, and publicity checks) is conducted for finalists. The principals personally contact listed and non-listed references
• Consultation Throughout Appointment Process
  While the firm does not give legal advice, it often is asked to play a part in the final negotiations between candidate and client.
• Maintaining Contact with the Client and the Appointee
  GALLAGHER-FENNELL HIGHER EDUCATION SERVICES pledges to stay in touch with both the client institution and the successful candidate for at least a year beyond appointment to ensure that concerns are being communicated and expectations met.
  
  

OTHER SERVICES

Calling on a network of higher education leaders, consultants who specialize in higher education, and other colleague resources, GALLAGHER-FENNELL HIGHER EDUCATION SERVICES is able to provide a variety of services, including

• Candidate and reference interviews
• Consultations on interim appointment
• Identification of additional top candidates
• Mentor identification
• President and trustee audits
• Search process workshops
• Strategic planning
• Trustee and sponsor workshops