Executive search
Local government leaders recruiting local government leaders.
Finding the right executive requires more than matching a résumé to a job description. It requires understanding the organization, the community, the leadership team, and the environment in which the successful candidate will lead.
We search. We do not wait.
Most recruitment firms post a vacancy and wait for applications. Woodland-Robins does not work that way. We conduct an active, targeted search — reaching out directly to experienced practitioners who are not looking at job boards, who would not respond to an advertisement, but who may be exactly right for your organization and community.
That distinction matters. The best candidates for senior local government roles are typically not searching. They are leading organizations, delivering results, and building careers. Finding them requires relationships, credibility, and a deep understanding of the sector — not a posting on a municipal job board.
We work with councils and boards recruiting a Chief Administrative Officer, and with CAOs and senior managers recruiting their own direct reports. In either case, the client receives the same hands-on engagement from a principal who has held those roles and understands what good leadership looks like from the inside.
Patrick has served as a Chief Administrative Officer, Corporate Officer, and Chief Financial Officer in BC local governments. When he speaks with a candidate about a role, it is a conversation between practitioners. That credibility opens doors that generic recruiters cannot.
How a search unfolds
Every engagement is led by a principal from start to finish. There are no handoffs to junior staff.
Understand
We begin with in-depth conversations with the client — whether that is council or board, a CAO, or a senior department head — along with key stakeholders and staff. We want to understand your organization's culture, the context of the vacancy, the dynamics of the team the new leader will join, and the qualities that will make the right candidate successful in your specific environment.
DeliverablePosition profile and candidate specification, developed collaboratively with the client and circulated for confirmation before the search begins.
Search
We conduct an active, targeted search across our networks in BC local government. We identify and approach qualified candidates directly — including those who are not actively seeking a new role. We do not rely on job postings as our primary sourcing strategy.
DeliverableRegular progress updates to the client throughout the search period, including a summary of candidates identified and approached.
Assess
Candidates are assessed through structured interviews, competency-based evaluation, and thorough reference reviews. We look beyond credentials and experience to assess judgment, values, leadership style, and fit with your organization's culture — whether the hiring authority is a governing body or a senior leader building their management team.
DeliverableWritten candidate assessment summaries, including competency evaluation, reference findings, and a clear recommendation on each candidate's suitability.
Select
We present a shortlist of qualified candidates with detailed assessment summaries. We support the hiring authority — council or board, CAO, or department head — through the interview and selection process, provide guidance on evaluation, and assist with offer negotiation. The process is fair, defensible, and well-documented regardless of who is at the table.
DeliverableInterview guides tailored to the role and organization, structured scoring tools, and a documented selection record suitable for public accountability.
Transition
Our engagement does not end at the offer. We support the incoming leader through onboarding, assist with knowledge transfer from the outgoing role, and remain available to the client and the new executive during the critical early months of the transition.
DeliverableOnboarding plan and transition support, including introductions, priority-setting conversations, and check-ins through the first ninety days.
Roles we recruit
- Chief Administrative Officers
- Corporate Officers
- Chief Financial Officers
- Directors of Planning, Engineering, Finance, and Operations
- Senior managers and specialized executive roles
Starting a search?
We welcome confidential conversations at any stage — whether you are a council or board with an immediate vacancy, a CAO building your senior team, or an organization planning ahead. Reach out to discuss your needs.