Executive Search
Search - Get the Right People on the Bus
Livingston Associates is the leading Public Media Executive Recruiting firm. We have conducted more than 100 searches for General Managers/CEOs, mid-managers and air staff. We combine profound, hands-on industry specific knowledge with more than a decade of world-class recruiting experience. We offer levels of search to fit your needs and budget, from full retained search (best suited for top executive positions) to our basic search. Livingston Associates uses the public media enterprises first and largest resume database, which serves as a powerful first step in the recruiting process.
The year after KBPS selected Sarah Shelley as the Executive Director for this Portland-based classical music station, the organization achieved 30% audience growth and reenergized a slowed capital campaign, including significantly increasing the goal.
Full Search
Our full, retained executive search services are built on four key principles.
- First, develop a partnership with the Board of Directors (or search committee) to identify critical skills and attributes for the position;
- Second, conduct a complete and thorough search locating qualified, highly motivated candidates that exceed the established requirements;
- Third, offer complete and detailed assistance throughout the search, interview and selection process;
- Fourth, continue involvement until the successful transition has been made and the new executive is fully functioning in their new role.
Jennifer Lawson, one of the most distinguished leaders in public television, was chosen by Howard University as the outcome of our search for General Manager of Howards WHUT (the only African American owned and focused public television station). Howard was so pleased with our work they brought us back to conduct the search for the Marketing and Communications Director for Howard University Hospital.
Our full searches utilize a unique approach weve perfected over several years, including a powerful tool for building a consensus-based, forward-focused vision for the ideal candidate for the position, then integrating the results throughout the entire search process. Our clients absolutely love this! For many organizations it engenders a kind of top-to-bottom (and bottom-to-top) conversation theyve never experienced before. Appropriate participation by the staff generates enthusiasm for the outcome. Often, an added bonus is larger organizational alignment. Call for more information!
Bringing it all together Iowa Public Radio
Livingston Associates created a strategic plan for KUNI (one of three independent University stations in Iowa that would become Iowa Public Radio) focused on the fundraising area, then coached the stations new General Manager through the first several months of his tenure and implementation of the plan. One major result was a format change that aligned KUNIs two services into a News/AAA stream and a classical service. The outcome of the format adjustment was a dramatic increase in audience and member income.
We were retained to facilitate the process of creating a Request for Proposals for a study that led to a decision to create the position of Executive Director for Iowa Public Radio.
Livingston Associates conducted the search for the new position of Executive Director of Iowa Public Radio. Not only was the position new, but so was the organization. With our assistance, the search process itself helped with the creation of the organization, including working with the newly appointed Iowa Public Radio Commission. The search involved two search committees, three university campuses and three separate (and anxious) station staffs. All stakeholders were included in the process. Cindy Browne was chosen for the position, an expert collaborative consultant, as well as a national leader in public media, an experienced general manager.
Basic Search
Our basic search services are designed to provide the structure and methods of a search-firm led national search and at the same time meet the budget requirements of all public media organizations. The process is like purchasing an insurance policy when you cant afford a full search or one isnt called for. This fee-for-service search includes help with planning and executing the search, combined with our focused, proven outreach directly to prospective candidates. A key added value is our resume database of hundreds of targeted potential candidates.