University of Virginia · 1 day ago
Executive Director, Executive Search Group
Charlottesville, VA
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
8+ years expThe University of Virginia is seeking an Executive Director for its Executive Search Group, which serves as the internal executive search firm. This role involves overseeing the entire search process to attract and secure world-class leaders, while also mentoring the ESG team and enhancing the University’s employer brand.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Develop and articulate a strategic vision for the Executive Search Group aligned with UVA’s institutional priorities and emerging leadership needs
Lead ESG in refining and scaling best-in-class search and sourcing methodologies, including digital outreach, candidate assessment, and data-informed decision making
Elevate the Executive Search Group’s reputation internally and externally as a premier partner for senior leadership recruitment
Oversee all phases of executive search: position profile development, stakeholder consultation, candidate identification, evaluation, interview processes, reference checking, and offer negotiation
Ensure that search strategies are tailored to meet the unique needs of each assignment, with attention to excellence, equity, and inclusion throughout the recruitment lifecycle
Build and maintain a robust pipeline of high-potential leaders across disciplines and sectors
Act as a strategic advisor to University leadership, including the President’s Office, senior administrators, deans, and search committees
Facilitate listening sessions and discovery meetings to define role priorities, success metrics, and organizational culture drivers
Partner with governance bodies, boards, and external advisors as needed to support complex leadership searches
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of search consultants and recruiting associates
Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous learning, and service excellence within ESG
Allocate resources effectively across concurrent searches and initiatives
Establish performance metrics, dashboards, and feedback mechanisms to evaluate search outcomes, candidate experience, and operational efficiency
Ensure compliance with relevant policies, legal frameworks, and data privacy
Qualification
Required
A minimum of 8 years of senior leadership experience, with 10 or more years preferred, in executive search, talent acquisition, or strategic HR functions, ideally within higher education, academic health systems, or similarly complex organizations
Proven ability to lead and deliver multiple high-impact searches concurrently
Experience advising senior executives, boards, or governance bodies on talent strategy and executive recruitment
Expertise in designing and managing inclusive search processes that foster competitive candidate pools
Exceptional interpersonal communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills
Preferred
Track record of recruiting C-suite and other senior leaders in academic, nonprofit, or enterprise environments
Strong analytical orientation with comfort in using data to inform strategy and evaluate outcomes
Benefits
Benefited position
Company
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia was founded in 1819 as the model for modern universities that has since been emulated all over the world.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
University of Virginia has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (263)
2024 (223)
2023 (262)
2022 (202)
2021 (163)
2020 (155)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Greg Fairchild
Dean and CEO, UVA|Northern Virginia
Luis Alvarez
President and CEO
Recent News
The Republic Reporter
2024-02-29
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