By Jennifer Dunlap, President and CEO, DRiWaterstone Human Capital
In the aftermath of the global pandemic, nonprofit and social impact organizations have undergone significant transformations in their efforts to meet the evolving needs of the communities they serve, as well as the expectations of current and potential employees. These changes have brought about a positive shift in the industry’s operations.
Here are four noteworthy trends that nonprofit and social impact leaders are likely to encounter in 2023:
Emphasizing mission and purpose-driven candidates is key in hiring
The foremost consideration in executive search recruiting for nonprofit and social impact organizations is the alignment of purpose and mission-driven candidates with the organization. Successful and impactful candidates are those who possess a genuine passion for the cause and a personal connection to the organization’s primary work. By putting an emphasis on candidates who are intrinsically motivated to contribute to the mission, organizations can cultivate a highly effective workforce and workplace.
The realization that adequate funding plays a big role in attracting top talent
Funders are becoming much more attuned to the fact that in order to attract and retain top-tier executive talent who can further their mission, they need to pay them a competitive wage. By recognizing the importance of compensation, nonprofit and social impact organizations can effectively recruit talent of a high caliber and accomplish their mission-driven work.
A strong focus on prioritizing and increasing diversity efforts
Although diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) is not a new concept, nonprofit and social impact organizations are taking tangible action around diversity very seriously—and will continue to do so throughout 2023.
Diversity does not stop at race and gender—it includes other factors such as age, geographic location, sexuality, religion, ability, and much more. Increasing these efforts is critical to making organizations stronger and providing well-rounded representation on leadership teams. Nonprofit and social impact sector recruiters should be asking themselves, “How can I improve my searches by focusing on diverse, talented candidates?”
Implementing future-oriented recruitment strategies
Historically, nonprofit and social impact organizations have engaged in “just in time” hiring practices, filling vacant positions only when necessary. However, there is a notable shift occurring within the industry that is redefining recruitment strategies. Organizations are becoming much more strategic and structured in their approach to recruitment—by taking into consideration the future projections of the company and aligning talent acquisition practices with the long-term objectives of the organization, they can ensure they have the right candidates in place at the right time.
By embracing these trends, organizations can enhance their capacity to make a positive and lasting impact on the communities they serve.
Ready to Find Your Next Executive? DRiWaterstone Can Help!
With our proven record of placing top purpose and mission-driven leaders and our deep understanding of the nonprofit and social impact sector, we are committed to finding exceptional executive talent that align with your mission and who can grow your organization to new heights.
Let us start the conversation—contact us today to talk to one of our dedicated team members.
