PROPOSAL EXECUTIVE SEARCH. Washtenaw County. June Prepared by the Michigan Municipal League

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1 EXECUTIVE SEARCH PROPOSAL Washtenaw County June 2015 Prepared by the Michigan Municipal League Heather Van Poucker Director, Information & Policy Research 1675 Green Road, Ann Arbor, MI

2 Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners 220 N Main Street Ann Arbor, MI June 23, 2015 Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, The Michigan Municipal League is pleased to offer Washtenaw County our assistance in selecting the next County Administrator. The League is committed to strengthening Michigan communities, and works hand-in-hand with our clients to provide the tools needed to effectively manage and develop their organizations. This close relationship gives the League a deep understanding of a community s needs and challenges and makes us uniquely qualified to provide a comprehensive executive search service. The League s executive search service is designed to ensure the best possible match between a county and its top administrator, with the ultimate goal of providing the community with a highly qualified leader who will add tremendous value. To that end, we are dedicated to serving the needs of Washtenaw County before, during, and after a search process. Our service is focused exclusively on Michigan, but our recruitment is nationwide. We manage an unparalleled network of applicants, half of which are from outside the state. Our search process will be tailored to meet the county s specific needs and goals. We work closely with the county to gain a full understanding of the priorities as a basis for structuring the search process. We facilitate consensus-building around the attributes a community is looking for to gain a complete picture of the desired candidate s experience, qualifications, and management style. This helps to ensure the best possible employment match, resulting in a successful, long-term placement. We provide a high level of customized service in order to produce a quality match. A typical search includes the following services and requires 120 days or more to complete. The timeline varies depending on timing of ad placement, availability of candidates and county officials, and the needs of the community. Feel free to contact the League with any questions or to schedule an oral presentation from one of our search facilitators. Thank you, Heather Van Poucker

3 PROPOSAL FOR EXECUTIVE SEARCH Washtenaw County SERVICE SUMMARY Our executive search service typically includes the following activities, which are accomplished over the course of up to five personal visits with the search facilitator: Development of an extensive candidate and community profile featured within a professionally designed recruitment brochure Outreach meetings and public forums Featured placement in the League s classifieds which receive 4,000+ hits per week Advanced marketing, including an exclusive direct to Michigan public administrators and others as appropriate, as well as the League s social media (more than 5,000 followers) Direct recruitment of passive candidates Thorough application analysis and personal pre-screening of viable applicants Reference checks, social media check, and in-depth background investigation (if necessary) done by a third party Customized interview questions and selection format/process, including roundtable interviews with an internal leadership team, and second or final interviews as needed Public engagement session and/or non-traditional, social meeting Development of the conditional offer of employment The League also offers enhanced services that include: Recruitment video Community tour Site visits to finalist communities (expense for travel is additional) Media packet with press releases provided for the local media at key points during the search SEARCH PROCESS Develop Recruitment Profiles In the first meeting, the search facilitator will facilitate a work session to develop a comprehensive recruitment profile. The work session should include various stakeholders including elected officials and county staff. The search facilitator will spur the development of an ideal recruitment profile that the County can agree on and be proud of. This ensures the quality of applicants recruited, as well as manages and clarifies the expectations of the new position. The recruitment profile has two components: 1. The Candidate Profile details the qualifications, experience, and professional characteristics required for the position. It is designed to reflect the goals and priorities of the community and 3

4 goes beyond what is normally found in succinct ad language. The completed profile is used throughout the selection process as an objective tool for determining the most appropriate candi dates to be interviewed, and ultimately a final selection. 2. The Community Profile provides a description of the position, the organization (i.e. organiza tional structure, services provided, etc.), and the County itself. This component is an excellent opportunity to highlight the quality of life aspects of your county or region to prospective candi dates (i.e. local and regional attractions, school systems, community strengths and cultural or entertainment opportunities.) These profiles are used to develop a professionally designed recruitment brochure which is featured on the MML website in its entirety and directly ed to targeted Michigan public professionals. Develop and Administer Recruitment and Outreach Campaign In order to recruit and select the most qualified candidates, it is necessary to effectively market the position to the widest and most appropriate audience. To accomplish this, we will develop an outreach and advertising campaign that includes placing advertisements in various professional publications specific to the area of expertise being sought. Our advertising strategy will include both written and electronic publications: Featured placement on the League s Classified Ads (website, features complete recruitment brochure) ICMA Website League social media outlets Other professional associations as appropriate (i.e. Michigan Government Financial Officers Associa tion, National Forum of Black Public Administrators, etc.) Regional municipal leagues Public administration master s programs career placement offices Other public associations as appropriate (i.e., MTA, MAC, etc.) The full recruitment brochure will be featured on the League s web site which receives an average of 4,000 hits per week. League searches are always listed first with special graphics to highlight your position. This is an excellent opportunity to promote the position and your community to a wide range of prospective candidates. In addition to advertising the position, we will utilize our extensive network of contacts to identify professionals in transition and administrators who may have an interest in the opportunity. We focus the recruiting effort on attracting the most qualified candidates, including passive candidates, to ensure an outstanding candidate pool. Following the closing date for receipt of resumes, we will proceed with resume review and interviews. Screen Resumes and Narrow Field of Applicants We will request a cover letter, resume, professional references, and a salary history from each applicant. We receive resumes directly and assess each applicant against the criteria established in the recruitment profile to identify viable candidates who most closely meet the County s requirements. We also conduct initial prescreening and online searches. 4

5 At the conclusion of this initial screening process, we present a confidential, written summary of the applicants and their qualifications which serves as the basis for a suggested short-list of no less than 10 candidates for further consideration. After discussion and consideration, the County will determine whom to invite for personal interviews. Once invitations to interview have been extended and accepted, the names and resumes of candidates are no longer protected by confidentiality. Until that time, we closely guard the identity of confidential applicants to ensure your search process yields the strongest pool of candidates. Please note that we do not ever release the name, resume, other identifiers or application materials of confidential applicants who are not viable candidates. We only lift confidentiality for viable candidates who agree to participate in the interview process. All other applicants will be notified at this time that the candidates have been selected for interviews. Interview and Selection Process Once a list of final candidates has been developed, we will assist in coordinating and scheduling interviews. As well, we will develop interview questions that focus on the priorities outlined within the candidate profile. The facilitator will also conduct in-depth reference checks of all candidates to be considered. Further, we will offer guidance and advice concerning appropriate interview topics as well as those that should be avoided. While our executive search facilitators have extensive experience in the field of human resources, and specifically interview and selection, they are not attorneys. It is always advisable to consult the county attorney. A search facilitator will attend and facilitate the interviews with each of the final candidates. There will be two rounds of interviews. At the conclusion of the interview process, we will facilitate discussion and evaluation of each candidate. The interview format is customized to the community. For Washtenaw County, the League can hold an informal social gathering for candidates in addition to a formal interview. This format can serve to engage the public and make sure the new administrator s personality will fit in well with all stakeholders. Keep in mind that our search facilitators do not presume to choose the best candidate for the position. That important decision is completely at the discretion of the County. Rather, we aide in assessing interview responses and how they relate to the objective criteria established in the candidate profile and provide related guidance and expertise. Search Close-out After the community has chosen a candidate, the search facilitator will be able to assist in contract negotiations of the conditional and final offer. At this stage, the League will initiate a thorough background search handled by a contracted third party that specializes in employment investigation. Once an agreement is reached with the individual selected for the position, the facilitator will perform closing tasks, such as personal notification of unsuccessful candidates. 5

6 Search Timeline Timing is critical in an executive search and any delay in action can often result in losing a highly sought-after candidate. We encourage our client communities to establish a well-defined project timeline with the search facilitator at the first meeting to ensure the process moves quickly and positions the community to compete for the best talent. A sample timeline is provided below. WEEK 1 WEEK 2-3 WEEK 3-5 WEEK 3-6 WEEK 6-7 WEEK 7-8 WEEK 8-9 WEEK 9-10 WEEK 10 WEEK Initial Meeting: Create Profiles, Recruitment Strategy, Ad Language Place ads Direct Recruitment, Active Solicitation of Candidates Application Screening, Initial Reference Checks Prepare Short List, Meet, and Review Candidates Conduct First Interviews Second Interviews/Public Meeting Extend Conditional Offer Background Checks Close Out Activities 6

7 Pricing The League provides a total not-to-exceed price of $20,000 for the enhanced executive search service which includes both professional fees and project expenses (advertising, travel, etc.) This ensures you know exactly what you will spend up front to complete this critical process. The price listed includes all advanced services. If you elect not to include advanced services, a lower price can be negotiated. The League welcomes the opportunity to assist Washtenaw County in this search. Please feel free to contact me directly with questions about our service or this proposal. Our Promise The League is committed to providing the best possible outcome and employment match for the community. Therefore, we guarantee placement for at least one year, and strongly encourage the management professionals placed to comply with Tenet 4 of the ICMA Code of Ethics, which sets a minimum of two years for employment with a government. In the highly unlikely event that the position is vacated within a year of placement, the League will offer another search at no or little additional cost to the community. Sincerely, Heather Van Poucker Director, Information & Policy Research Please provide authorized signature below to officially engage the League to provide the executive search services outlined within this proposal: AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE TITLE DATE 7

8 ADDENDUM A THE LEAGUE SEARCH SERVICE The Michigan Municipal League was founded in 1899 as a non-profit, non-partisan organization committed to strengthening Michigan communities. We have nearly 600 full and associate members, which include cities, villages, urban townships, counties, authorities, and related public sector organizations. We have approximately forty-five staff members located at our headquarters in Ann Arbor and our Capital office in Lansing. We are governed by an elected board, with ongoing administration and leadership provided by an Executive Director/CEO who is appointed by the Board. We have well-resourced internal support services that enhance our executive search service including an on-staff attorney, extensive information technology, graphic and website design, information, research, and writing staff, and many administrative and clerical support staff. We have completed over 200 top administration executive searches in since Many of our clients return to the League for executive search assistance because of their satisfaction with our work and their trust in the League to do its best for their community. Facilitator qualifications Our executive search facilitators have decades of experience in local government management and understand the unique skills and abilities required to succeed in this environment. They are among the most highly-regarded and well-respected public managers in the state and bring immeasurable credibility to a search process. They have well-established professional networks and are highly trusted and approachable within the public management field. Our Lead Executive Recruiter is Kathie S. Grinzinger. Ms. Grinzinger has an extensive background in human resources including organizational and employee development; job description analysis; selection processes; and evaluation. She served as the Assistant City Manager and then City Manager for the City of Mt. Pleasant for 25 years before her recent retirement. Grinzinger has served as the President of the Michigan Local Government Managers Association, served on the Michigan Municipal League Board of Trustees and multiple League policy committees. She is a retired member of the International City/County Managers Association, and has served with distinction on many other boards. In 2014, she was honored by the Michigan Local Government Management Association with the John M. Patriarche Distinguished Service Award. In the event Ms. Grinzinger is unavailable during the timeframe of your municipality s search, we will provide an alternate executive search facilitator, who has decades of experience in local government management and understands the unique skills and abilities required to succeed in this environment. All of our executive search facilitators follow our same methodology outlined within this document and have years of experience working with us in this capacity. Heather Van Poucker is the Director of Information and Policy Research at the League and will oversee this project with the Lead Executive Recruiter. Ms. Van Poucker holds a Master s degree in Public Administration and is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources. Ms. Van Poucker has been with the League since 1997 and has also served as Human Resources Administrator with the City of Dearborn. She has extensive experience in municipal consulting with expertise in human resources. 8

9 Jessica Reed is the Executive Search Coordinator at the League and will provide project coordination and administrative support for this search. She has an MA in Public Policy and will be available to the City of Rochester during every step in the process. 9

10 ADDENDUM B RELATED EXPERIENCE The League executive search service has been utilized in communities across the state including many community with similar organizational structure to Washtenaw County. The most relevant communities are listed below: Community: Marquette County Population: 67,700 Budget: $25 million Position: County Administrator Reference: County Administrator Scott Erbisch (906) Community: Genesee County Population: 415,376 Budget: $83 million Position: Human Resources Director Reference: Genesee County Board of Commissioners Chairperson Jamie W. Curtis (810) Community: Port Huron Population: 30,184 Budget: $20 million Position: City Manager Reference: Pauline Repp, Mayor; reppp@porthuron.org; (810)

11 ADDENDUM C CONTRACT PROVISIONS: RECOMMENDED AMENDMENTS 1. Article IV - Term: The League would recommend that the term of the contract match the term of the project and be narrowed to a 1-year term. 2. Article XI - Contingent Fees: The League retains independent contractors as search facilitators. The inde pendent contractor for this search would be Kathie Grinzinger. All other involved individuals would be bona fide employees. 3. Article XV - Ownership of Documents and Publication: The League protects the confidentiality of applicants who request it. Therefore, the applications of confidential applicants who are not selected to interview will not be public documents. 11