Director of Executive Search
Help shape the future of leadership across the charity, not-for-profit and broader social impact sectors.
This is a rare opportunity to lead and grow an established executive search practice delivering some of the most important mandates in one of the most critical sectors for communities in the UK and internationally.
As Director of Executive Search, you will take full ownership of a retained search business with the mandate, autonomy and support to scale it further. You will work with boards, CEOs and senior leaders of charities, foundations, NGOs and social enterprises, helping them appoint the leadership they need to deliver lasting impact.
We do not operate individual commission.
Our non-commission salary structure supports the way executive search should work: collaborative, thoughtful and values-led. It removes internal competition, encourages shared ownership of quality, and allows search leaders to advise clients with integrity rather than incentive distortion.
For the Director of Executive Search, this creates a platform to build a practice defined by standards, not shortcuts, and to lead a team aligned around impact, not individual gain.
This role combines strategic leadership, commercial growth and hands-on search delivery. It is about influence and impact, shaping how executive search is done in a values-led, inclusive and future-focused way.
Executive Search at Prospectus
Our Executive Search practice works with boards and senior leaders on some of the most important leadership appointments in the charity, not-for-profit and broader social impact sectors.
We are known for:
Deep sector understanding and credibility at board and CEO level
Inclusive, candidate-centred search processes
Thoughtful advisory relationships, not “process-driven” search
A commitment to equity, transparency and fairness in leadership recruitment
The practice is well-established and respected.
As Director, you will:
Own the Executive Search P&L and growth strategy
Personally lead retained searches alongside your team
Develop long-term, trust-based client relationships
Evolve our search methodology, including the responsible use of AI and technology
Build and lead a high-performing, inclusive search team
This is a role for someone who wants to shape the practice, not just run assignments.
Why this role is different
This is not a “plug-in” leadership role.
You will have:
Real autonomy to set direction and make decisions
A seat on the Prospectus Leadership Team, influencing the wider business
The chance to grow income sustainably, not aggressively
The opportunity to define what modern, ethical executive search looks like
A platform to build a legacy — team, reputation and practice
Who we’re looking for
We are looking for a senior leader who is:
Commercially astute
A credible adviser to boards and senior leaders
Confident owning a P&L and making strategic decisions
Passionate about inclusive recruitment and equity in leadership
Curious about how AI and technology can responsibly enhance search practice
Collaborative, emotionally intelligent and values-led
You may come from executive search, the not for profit sector, or a closely aligned advisory environment — what matters most is your judgement, credibility and ambition.
