Why does our school need assistance in the search process?

The most important decision your Board will make is in the hiring of a new Head.

A process of this magnitude—selecting the person who will lead your school, and ensuring this person is the right one to guide your school through its strategic plan—should not be taken lightly. It is imperative that the search committee, when it has not engaged a full-time head-search consultant, receives guidance in the nuances of attracting and selecting the school's next Head. The search and selection process is not as easy as it seems, and the consequences of an inadequate search can be deep.

What does an ISM executive search service entail?

First, we complete a strategic assessment with your school, including elements of Strategic Planning/Strategic Financial Planning. When this is completed, your school will have a significant amount of information about its strengths and weaknesses, and a five-year action plan for your Board to review. Once assessed, you will have a much better idea of the Head you will need to successfully carry out the plan.

Next, ISM will guide your search committee in defining characteristics of your new Head, help write the position description, recommend ad placement, help in the selection of finalists, and develop protocols for all these activities.

Once you have brought your new Head on board, ISM will also help with the transition period.

Why does my school need a strategic assessment first?

Our processes and subsequent documents provide the search committee with the information needed to conduct an effective Head search, and ultimately appoint the appropriate person who can lead the school through the years to come.

How much time will the ISM Consultant be available?

The Consultant is available as much as the search committee needs throughout the service. This includes both before and after the appointment has been made, as well as through the transition period.

How do you help with the transition period?

ISM will help the search committee develop a process to ensure that the transition is smooth and the new Head is graciously welcomed into the school community.

Who will advertise the position and receive the resumes?

ISM will help create the position description, determine the information candidates must submit, and recommend where advertisements should be placed. As part of the service, ISM will advertise the position in its Career Corner Online at no charge. The search committee, however, receives the resumes and application materials.

Will you help select the candidates?

ISM typically is not involved in the early selection process. Once the search committee is ready to select semifinalists, the ISM Consultant will offer observations. However, the search committee and the Board must appoint the new Head, since they will be the ones guiding and supporting the Head during his/her tenure at the school.

How often will the ISM Consultant come to our campus?

The ISM Consultant will visit your school a minimum of four times to provide the following services to:

• Conduct the strategic assessment.
• Assist the Board with the Strategic Planning/Strategic Financial Planning process.
• Train the search committee on how to conduct an effective search.
• Assist the search committee in selecting the semifinalists and finalists.

Other visits can be arranged, as the school deems necessary.

How much does this service cost?

Typically, ISM Executive Search Service costs less than half of your new Head's salary.

Many schools find it advantageous to engage ISM for a year with a retainer. Subsequent visits—up to four additional—by the Consultant working with your search committee are included in the retainer. Additional on-site consultations are available at a greatly reduced cost.

With the retainer, your school also has unlimited access to advice from all of the ISM Consultants on any school management issue—not just your Head search—via phone, e-mail and fax.

The retainer has proven cost effective for schools, particularly in the search process. The retainer also includes membership for a year in the ISM Consortium with its benefits, and a free three-day workshop.

To find out more about the Executive Search Service, e-mail Terri Gillespie, ISM's Consulting Coordinator, or call 302-656-4944 (ext. 134).