Appointing a Principal or Senior Leader is one of the biggest challenges for school boards. Finding the right person to lead a school isn’t just about filling a role, it’s about securing the future of the school community. A great leader inspires the team, fosters student success, and upholds the school’s values and vision. But the search for that leader is rarely simple.
As a Board or Presiding Member, you may face challenges such as:
- Identifying and attracting high-calibre candidates, especially those not actively job hunting.
- Engaging the school community to develop the ideal candidate profile and ensure they feel part of the process.
- Understanding whether an applicant is the right cultural fit for your school.
- Balancing the need for strong leadership with the complexities of school governance.
- Managing a robust and fair recruitment process without specialist hiring expertise.
So, how do you ensure you’re making the right appointment?
Recruiting with education expertise
Leadership appointments in the Education sector require a unique blend of skills, deep sector knowledge, experience, and personal capability. It’s not just about qualifications, it’s about vision, resilience, and the ability to inspire a school community.
That’s why partnering with an adviser who truly understands the sector is critical in finding the right leader.
Brannigans brings firsthand education experience to the recruitment process. Our Talent Partner – Education, Rosie Robison, has walked in the shoes of school leaders and Board members, having worked with the Ministry of Education as a Deputy Principal, and as an Across School Lead for Kāhui Ako.
This means we understand the challenges schools face, the qualities needed in effective leadership, and where to find the right talent.
What makes our recruitment process successful?
A well-run leadership appointment process should:
- Partner with the Board to understand the ethos and culture of the school.
- Engage with the school community to help the Board identify the ideal attributes of the next leader.
- Identify and assess leadership potential, not just experience.
- Search for candidates that are not actively in the market.
- Consider cultural and strategic alignment, ensuring the leader fits the school’s values.
- Reach beyond traditional job ads to find the best talent, especially those not actively looking.
- Give Boards confidence in their decision, through a fair, transparent, and informed process where due diligence is a priority.
Making leadership appointments easier for boards
If you’re preparing for a principal or senior leadership appointment, we understand the pressure and responsibility that comes with it. Having the right expertise, networks, and recruitment process in place can make all the difference.
By combining specialist search techniques with real education sector experience, Brannigans helps Boards navigate the complexities of leadership recruitment, ensuring schools secure leaders who will shape their future.
If you’d like to discuss your next leadership appointment, let’s talk. Contact Rosie Robison.
