Hiring a new CEO is one of the most important decisions your board will ever make. The right hire can energize your team, build trust with your donors, and help your organization reach new levels of impact. The wrong hire? It can cost time, money, and momentum—and shake the confidence of everyone involved.

For nonprofits, especially, the CEO role is deeply personal. It’s about heart and mission, but also strategy, resilience, and leadership under pressure. It’s not just about experience—it’s about finding someone who can connect, adapt, and lead with purpose.

So, how do you get it right?

Before you even start crafting a job description, stop and ask:

• Where is our organization headed in the next 3–5 years?

• What does success look like—for our board, our programs, our fundraising?

• What kind of leader will help get us there?

Too often, organizations write a CEO profile based on the last person who held the job—or a wishlist that’s ten miles long. The best searches start with clarity, not credentials.

The nonprofit CEOs who create real change aren’t always the ones with the flashiest resumes. They’re the ones who build trust, make bold decisions, and bring people along with them.

Look for:

• Strategic thinking, especially in complex or resource-limited environments

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills

• A track record of moving missions forward, not just maintaining operations

• A leadership style that matches (or stretches) your culture in the right ways

You’re not just hiring a leader—you’re hiring a partner to carry your vision forward.

You only get one chance to make a great CEO hire—and it’s not something most boards or staff do regularly.

That’s where a nonprofit executive search firm can be a game-changer. A great search partner will:

• Ask the right questions to uncover what kind of leader you truly need

• Tap into networks you don’t have access to (including leaders who aren’t actively job hunting)

• Vet candidates not just for skills, but for culture fit, communication style, and mission alignment

• Help keep the process moving when board calendars get tricky

For 15 years, The Batten Group has helped nonprofit organizations across the country find transformational CEOs—through a process rooted in relationships, leadership readiness, and mission alignment.

Every nonprofit has a different story. Some need a builder. Others need a stabilizer. Others need someone who can help them scale fast—and smart.

Before you fall in love with a candidate’s background, ask yourself:

• Can they adapt to where we are right now?

• Are they aligned with our values and vision?

• Do they bring a leadership presence that builds confidence?

The best CEOs lead through ambiguity with confidence and care. They don’t just fit into your organization—they elevate it.

You want buy-in from key stakeholders, but that doesn’t mean 14 people on every Zoom call. A focused, trusted search committee can help represent the board, staff, and broader mission—without slowing the process down.

Make sure:

• Everyone agrees on what “success” in this role actually looks like

• Interviews are structured and respectful of candidates’ time

• Candidates get a real window into the culture—not just a list of questions

Hiring a great CEO is one thing. Setting them up to succeed is another.

Think about:

• What introductions and relationships need to happen in the first 30–60 days?

• What does the board expect from the new leader in year one?

• Who’s supporting the CEO as they learn the culture and the history?

When you invest in onboarding, you build trust faster—and avoid false starts.

This isn’t just a staffing decision. It’s a leadership decision that will shape your culture, your programs, and your impact for years to come.

The good news? You don’t have to figure it all out alone.

With the right process and the right partners, you can make a confident hire—one that reflects your values, excites your stakeholders, and moves your mission forward.

If you’re thinking about launching a search—or just starting the conversation—we’re here to help.

At The Batten Group, we help nonprofits hire transformational leaders who make a difference on day one and every day after. With over 700 successful searches, we know what works—and what doesn’t.

📩 Let’s talk about your next chapter.
🔗 Schedule a consultation
📧 info@thebattengroup.com

The Batten Group’s commitment to finding mission-driven leaders is not just a recruitment strategy—it’s a dedication to the long-term success of nonprofit organizations and their missions. The true art of executive search lies in identifying authentic passion, aligning it with the right expertise, and matching it to the unique purpose of each organization. By doing so, The Batten Group helps nonprofits thrive and drive meaningful, lasting change.

In the nonprofit world, values-driven leadership isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. And The Batten Group is at the forefront of making that essential leadership a reality.

We are a premier national executive search and consultancy firm with more than 75 years of collective experience in nonprofit, philanthropy, and executive recruitment. We specialize in placing transformational leaders in nonprofit, healthcare, higher education, and mission-based organizations across the country.

As experts in recruiting and talent acquisition, our mission is to connect exceptional individuals with purpose-driven organizations—helping our partners achieve their boldest strategic goals.

We believe the most impactful teams are built by welcoming varied perspectives, lived experiences, and leadership styles. That belief is at the core of every search we conduct. By fostering environments where people feel seen, supported, and empowered, we help build stronger, more resilient leadership for the future.

We’d love to learn more about your organization’s goals and how we can support your search for the next transformational leader. Visit thebattengroup.com to learn more, or click here to explore our proven hiring methodology.

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