What happens when a key leader departs? You need to hire swiftly, without compromising on quality. That was the challenge facing a recent Kirby Bates Associates (KBA) client after their Chief Operating Officer (COO) of 20 years left the organization. Over time, the role had expanded to encompass far more responsibilities than initially intended, leaving a leadership gap that would be difficult to fill.
The client, a nationally recognized oncology research and clinical trial network, initially launched the search on their own. However, the search presented numerous challenges. Below, we explore the obstacles they encountered, the limitations of AI-driven recruitment, and how they ultimately secured the right leader.
The First Challenge: Too Many Applicants, Too Little Time
Upon posting the COO role, the organization received an overwhelming number of applications, close to 600. While the role was critical, the amount of time required for an in-depth, manual review of every applicant to identify the most qualified candidates would be an impossible task for a small, busy HR team.
The Second Challenge: The Limits of AI in Executive Search
The position required a highly unique skill set. The ideal candidate needed deep research experience, strong leadership skills, and the ability to engage diverse stakeholders. Additionally, they had to step into the shoes of a long-tenured, well-respected leader whose vision had guided the organization for two decades.
Recognizing the challenge, the HR team turned to AI-driven applicant tracking systems (ATS) to expedite the review process. Boolean searches and automated filters helped narrow the pool, prioritizing candidates with in-depth experience while eliminating those with frequent job changes.
The filters focused on a refined set of criteria, including:
- Strong research background
- Oncology experience
- Grant writing for clinical trials
- Nonprofit leadership experience
- Data management expertise
- Exposure to pharmaceutical environments
- Proven ability to lead independent yet accountable teams
Utilizing these refinements, the client ended up disqualifying over 500 applicants. The HR team found itself needing support to further evaluate the large pool and to assure they had the best talent available for the role. The team had concerns about prolonged vacancy for the pivotal role.
The Solution: Leveraging Specialized Executive Search Expertise
While the HR team excelled at recruiting, a national search for an executive COO required a dedicated recruitment team with a high level of healthcare expertise. Realizing this, they turned to Kirby Bates Associates for support.
KBA’s VPs/AVPs and Senior/Executive Recruiters, with their deep experience in healthcare leadership, quickly assessed the position’s unique demands and began a targeted search process. Their approach included:
- Engaging passive candidates: Instead of relying solely on active job seekers, KBA tapped into its extensive national network of healthcare executives, identifying high-caliber professionals who weren’t actively job hunting.
- Reevaluating disqualified applicants: KBA manually reviewed applications that had been filtered out by AI, identifying a few candidates who met the role’s precise qualifications.
- Presenting a refined slate: After extensive outreach and evaluation, KBA presented the client with a slate of 13 highly qualified candidates.
The Outcome: Finding the Right Leader
Of the 13 candidates presented, the organization quickly narrowed its choices to five finalists. After conducting extensive interviews, they selected an extremely qualified candidate from the strong pool.
This process underscored an essential hiring truth: while organizations deeply understand their internal needs, specialized recruiters know how to navigate the national talent landscape. By collaborating with KBA, the foundation was able to efficiently identify the right leader to continue its globally recognized, cutting-edge cancer research.
Need Leadership Fast? Partner with Kirby Bates Associates
Hiring executive leaders is complex, and relying on traditional HR methods alone is no longer sufficient. Specialized recruiters like Kirby Bates Associates go beyond resume filtering, leveraging industry expertise and deep national networks to identify the best talent.
You know your organization’s needs – KBA knows the candidates. When a critical leadership position opens, KBA guarantees a slate of highly qualified candidates within 30 days.
If you’re ready to secure top-tier leadership, schedule a free 30-minute consultation with a Kirby Bates healthcare executive recruiter today.