Executive Director, Executive Search Group

Overview

The Executive Search Group (ESG) is the University’s internal executive search firm. ESG partners with senior leaders across the University — including academic units, administrative divisions, and UVA Health — to design and execute high-stakes national and international searches for transformational leaders. ESG blends deep institutional knowledge with leading practices in executive recruitment to identify, assess, and recommend outstanding candidates for strategic leadership positions.

This includes Presidents, Provosts, Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors, and other senior leaders. ESG is uniquely positioned to deliver high-touch service and deep candidate engagement while significantly reducing the cost, time, and complexity typically associated with external search firms.

The Executive Director, Executive Search Group will serve as the strategic leader and chief architect of UVA’s internal executive recruitment function. This role is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the search process — from initial role definition and stakeholder engagement to candidate development, assessment, and placement — ensuring that the University attracts and secures world-class leaders who embody UVA’s mission and values.

The Executive Director will steward the ESG team, shape and implement innovative search strategies, build and sustain deep talent pipelines, strengthen the University’s employer brand in key constituencies, and serve as a trusted advisor to senior executives and search committees.

• 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.

• 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.