Executive Searches and Placements
At the Meliora Group LLC, we draw on decades of experience in hiring and placing extraordinary executives. Our intuitive ability to identify and discover outstanding fund-raising executive talent, and our direct access to the most effective talent search tools available, allow us to successfully help our clients assemble exceptional teams and achieve their development goals.
The Meliora Group’s electronic database of over 27,000 development, university relations and other non-profit leadership professionals ensures our clients receive the most comprehensive, cost-effective search processes available.
We pride ourselves on offering flexible and cost-effective options for our clients specifically designed to meet their needs and budgets. Our services range from helping our clients develop job responsibilities to crafting the final compensation package for the hired executive.
At the Meliora Group LLC, our successful business model integrates minimal overhead with a dedicated staff that results in lower costs than other search consultants. As a result, we transfer these savings to our valued clients in an effort to partner with them and help them minimize cost, while at the same time, maximize results.
To see how the Meliora Group LLC can customize a package for your needs, please contact Dr. Carol Wittmeyer at 716.474.6833 or email carol@melioragroup.com
Pre-Search
The Meliora Group LLC works with our clients to understand their search requirements and assist them in designing job descriptions. We research and provide detailed information on similar positions at other institutions. Additionally, we research national level positions to provide our clients detailed information on trends and best practices in the profession. Such information includes, but is not limited to, organizational charts, job descriptions, and salary ranges. The Meliora Group LLC provides all necessary materials available to ensure we comply with all institutional human relations policies and procedures.
At the Meliora Group LLC, we have extensive experience interacting with search committees – including serving on them while employed by non-profit organizations – and we can assist in formulating effective committees and provide guidance on goals, responsibilities and processes.
During the pre-search process, the Meliora Group LLC will draft goals and an appropriate timeline so our clients and search committees can successfully measure their progress. We work with clients and committees to establish and analyze decision criteria to rank job applicants. As an additional service, updated information relevant to the search is posted on the Meliora Group’s secure website so clients can share valuable information with their constituents. Meliora Group staff are available to provide requested information and clarification as needed.
Advertising and Calling Campaign the Generate Applicants
Employing our proprietary national electronic database of over 27,000 development, university relations and other non-profit leadership professionals, the Meliora Group LLC works with clients to define and identify targeted professionals to receive the job announcement. Using our E-news feature, we are able to send an electronic notice to our entire database, to targeted categories, such as planned giving officers, or to specific regions.
Once the E-news notice has been delivered, the Meliora Group generates reports that provide detailed information on interested prospects. As a result, a calling campaign is implemented using the list and nominations generated by the E-news notice as well as the Meliora Group’s database. Summary reports are then shared with our clients. If clients would prefer to organize and implement their own calling campaign, for a flat rate fee, the Meliora Group will generate an appropriate list.
Pre-screening
Once the advertising and calling campaign process is complete, the Meliora Group LLC employs the criteria developed by the client and search firm to rank candidates into various categories ranging from un-qualified to highly qualified. As an added service, we will generate reports for review by clients and search committees.
Candidate Screening
After the pre-screen process is complete, the Meliora Group LLC selects the highest qualified applicant pool and begins the ranking process. Applicants who are ranked highest and have appropriate salary expectations progress to the next level in the candidate screening process. As a courtesy to all applicants in the search process, we continually update them on the search process.
Candidate Interviews
Once candidate screening is accomplished, candidates will be interviewed in a two-step process. All candidates who are successful through the screening process will interview with the Meliora Group LLC staff. Once the strongest candidates have been identified, they are then interviewed by the client.
Candidates that are highly-ranked are contacted by the Meliora Group LLC and are mailed appropriate materials to prepare them for successful interviews.
In the interview process with the Meliora Group LLC, candidates are interviewed in person and are asked to respond to questions regarding their career aspirations, work experience, and how they feel they can contribute to the success of the organization. Additionally, candidates provide detailed writing samples for review and other necessary evidence of competence in the areas clearly defined by the client and search committee.
The Meliora Group LLC works to assure that candidates have a thorough understanding of the job expectations and the context of fund-raising at the organization.
After candidates are interviewed, reference checks are set in motion. As a common courtesy, we always ask candidates for permission prior to any reference calls. Detailed summaries of reference checks are completed and are provided to the client and search committee. If requested by the clients, background checks are also completed at this point of the interview process.
Once all candidates have been interviewed by the Meliora Group LLC, those remaining in the highest qualified category are appropriately forwarded to the client for interviewing. The client and search committee then decide on finalists to be interviewed.
As a service to our clients, the Meliora Group LLC assists in organizing interviews and attending those interviews and related search committee meetings as contracted with our clients. Meliora Group Associates work closely with the search committee to outline the interview process, which may include interviews with various organizational constituents in addition to the search committee.
Candidates in the search process who are still in contention are continually updated on their status throughout the entire process.
Candidate Recommendation
Once the interview process is complete, the client and search committee rank the final candidates, with the end result of selecting their top choice. At this point in the hiring process, The Meliora Group LLC can assist with compensation and benefit negotiations by providing detailed comparative data and an interpretation of candidate expectations. At the end of the recommendation process, our client makes the final offer to the selected candidate and prepares appointment letters and contracts.
Hire and Restart
As part of our executive search service, the Meliora Group LLC collaborates with our client and applicant to finalize hiring details. If a hire does not result, the Meliora Group LLC works closely with our clients to restart the search process.
Mentoring and Stewardship
Once the final candidate is hired and begins their career, the Meliora Group LLC contacts our client and candidate on a periodic basis (usually for one year) to keep abreast of how the relationship is developing. Our clients may have a desire to offer mentoring and assistance to their new hires to assist with transitions. We are pleased to offer this service based upon the individual needs of our clients.
Meliora Guarantee
For flexible services, the Meliora Group LCC assures that associates work effectively and diligently to fulfill our clients expectations.
For full-service searches, the Meliora Group LLC ensures complete client satisfaction in the subsequent ways:
- The Meliora Group LLC will not end a search until our client is 100% satisfied with the candidate placement and we follow up to ensure that the candidate match continues to be a productive one.
- If the individual we place departs within one year of hire (for reasons other than death, disability, change of control, company relocation or significant change in job responsibilities), the Meliora Group LLC will restart the search free of charge other than direct expenses.
- The Meliora Group LLC will not recruit from within a client organization for one year from the time of closing an engagement.
To see how the Meliora Group LLC can assist you in executive searches and placements, please contact Dr. Carol Wittmeyer at 716.474.6833 or email carol@melioragroup.com