Submission of Interest Deadline:
November 14, 2025
Submission of Interest Requirements:
A current resume and a cover letter that highlights your experience recruiting for executive-level positions.
Terms & Duration:
This is a four-month contract opportunity commencing in December 2025, with the possibility of extension based on organizational needs.
Payment terms are $5,000 per completed search. The selected contractor will be an independent contractor of FUSE, not an employee of FUSE.
Scope of Work:
FUSE seeks to engage a skilled senior recruiting professional who can apply strong search acumen to managing two to four concurrent executive searches for the FUSE Executive Fellowship Program.
FUSE Executive Fellows are individuals with at least 15 years of executive-level, private sector experience. They partner with senior leaders in government agencies to manage complex, high-impact projects for one to two years. Executive Fellows bring experience in data analysis and research, developing operational and financial models, designing change management and strategic planning processes, and building coalitions to advance implementation.
The primary role of the executive search consultant is to act as the dedicated recruiter for assigned Executive Fellow searches, with a focus on ensuring an excellent candidate experience and client satisfaction. To do so will include:
- Reviewing documentation and information available for assigned fellowship projects to understand project requirements; seeking out additional insights and/or research as needed to inform recruiting.
- Designing and executing a sourcing plan for each project to produce a diverse pool of candidates well-qualified to fulfill the requirements of each role.
- Supporting a robust candidate pipeline by initiating and maintaining relationships with all applicants who represent the experience, core competencies, and motivations of a FUSE Executive Fellow.
- Managing the full lifecycle candidate selection process for assigned fellowship projects, with the majority of time spent on sourcing and identifying qualified candidates using multiple recruitment channels, conducting first round telephone interviews, and then continued support for and engagement with candidates through video interviews, reference checks, finalist interview days, and notifications of selection status.
- Managing and recording all steps of the recruitment process, all communications with candidates, and each instance of candidate management in an applicant tracking system (Crelate).
The contractor will coordinate closely with FUSE’s Senior Director of Recruiting and Vice President of Recruiting.
This is an opportunity to provide a service that will have a unique and lasting impact on communities across the country served by FUSE.
Qualifications:
- Interest in FUSE’s mission to increase the capacity of local governments to work more effectively for communities.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in corporate or agency executive recruiting and/or talent acquisition, with a track record of success in all stages of full life-cycle recruitment and overall search process management.
- Demonstrated ability to manage national searches comparable to the level and requirements of the FUSE Executive Fellowship.
- Superior level of experience using LinkedIn and other recruitment channels, proven to be successful in identifying senior-level talent.
- Outstanding project management skills, bolstered by a strong attention to detail and ability to follow up and follow through to meet aggressive deadlines.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
About FUSE:
FUSE is a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing the capacity of local governments to work more effectively for communities. We embed private sector executives in city and county agencies to lead projects that improve public services and accelerate systems change. Since 2012, FUSE has led over 400 projects in 58 governments across 26 states, impacting a total population equivalent to 1 in 10 Americans.
When designing each fellowship project, FUSE works closely with government partners and community stakeholders to define a scope of work that will achieve substantive progress toward high-priority local needs. Projects address today’s most pressing challenges and opportunities, including affordable housing, economic mobility, climate resilience, public safety, infrastructure, technology, and more.
FUSE conducts a full executive search for each individual project to ensure that the selected candidate has at least 15 years of professional experience, the required competencies for the role, and deep connections to the community being served.
Executive Fellows are embedded in government agencies working with senior leaders for at least one year of full-time work. Prospective responsibilities may include thorough data analytics and research, developing enhanced operations and financial models, building change management and strategic planning processes, and/or building broad coalitions to support project implementation efforts. Executive Fellows are data-driven and results-oriented, and able to effectively manage complex projects. They build strong relationships with a broad array of stakeholders, foster alignment within and across various layers of government, and build partnerships between governments and communities.
Throughout the fellowships, Executive Fellows receive training, coaching, and professional support to help achieve their project goals.