Darr
"EC’s style is both consultative and collaborative. We were impressed with the quality of the candidates they surfaced and how well they knew them.  As former educational leaders they immediately garnered the respect and confidence of our administration and faculty and put the whole community at ease that our search was in experienced and capable hands..”
- Jackie Darr, Search Co-chair, University School of Milwaukee, WI

Every school has a unique culture. We start there.

Every school says that their culture is unique. It’s true. So this is where we start. We get to know you as people. We get to know your pedagogy. We get to know your search committee, your board, your faculty, and your administration and your administration.Most importantly, we get to know your vision, mission and values. This lays the foundation for a successful search, hiring and onboarding process.

Our high-touch approach ensures that everyone in the school community is heard and represented.

“EC partnered so well with all of the different stakeholders in our school. They held listening sessions, faculty sessions, and sessions with administration. It wasn’t just a partnership with the search committee, but with everyone. The whole school felt that they had a voice.”
— Search Co-Chair

We take the time to know the candidates and bring the right-fit ones forward.

“You can tell that they know every candidate they put forth and understand the nuances of each candidate in different settings. I feel like each candidate is so well vetted and that EC really wants what is best for them and for us.”
— Search Co-Chair

We're an ally for candidates–even after they are hired.

“You can’t underestimate the transition piece. As you go through the process it becomes clear that having a firm that will stay with you through that transition year is almost more valuable than anything else. That year is just so key to success.”
— Search Co-Chair

Our process is clear and understandable.

“I’m a process guy and I like things organized. When you look at the process that these guys go through to conduct the search, it is just so thoughtfully laid out. If you follow it, you will absolutely be successful.”
— Search co-chair

Every school has a unique culture. We start there.

Every school says that their culture is unique. It’s true. So this is where we start. We get to know you as people. We get to know your pedagogy. We get to know your search committee, your board, your faculty and your administration. Most importantly, we get to know your vision, mission and values. This lays the foundation for a successful search, hiring and onboarding process.

Our high-touch approach ensures that everyone in the school community is heard and represented.

“EC partnered so well with all of the different stakeholders in our school. They held listening sessions, faculty sessions, and sessions with administration. It wasn’t just a partnership with the search committee, but with everyone. The whole school felt that they had a voice.”
— Search Co-Chair

We take the time to know the candidates and bring the right-fit ones forward.

“When I started working with EC I turned to my supervisor, the head of school at the time, who was there because of EC. I said, “EC consultants are masters of attention to individual needs.’ And he said, ‘That’s right. They made me feel like I had someone who got me, who got how I lead, who got how I connect, who understood me.”
— Placed Candidate

We're an ally for candidates–even after they are hired.

“You can’t underestimate the transition piece. As you go through the process it becomes clear that having a firm that will stay with you through that transition year is almost more valuable than anything else. That year is just so key to success.”
— Search Co-Chair

Our process is clear and understandable.

“I’m a process guy and I like things organized. When you look at the process that these guys go through to conduct the search, it is just so thoughtfully laid out. If you follow it, you will absolutely be successful.”
— Search Co-Chair

FAQ

Founded in 1971, our firm has conducted searches in almost every single state as well as in Europe, Asia, and South America. Our partners span the United States and in some cases, reside internationally. Their diverse array of professional experiences have helped them forge school connections in various points across the globe. No matter where our clients come from, working with our partners means getting access to a diverse local and international network.

Head of School searches typically operate on a schedule of 4-10 months. With advanced early planning, schools can have a more extended search schedule. When necessary, however, EC has completed searches in as little as two months.

The answer will vary according to each school’s unique culture. Ideally, the search process will find a balance between respecting the privacy of candidates and including the many perspectives that make up a healthy school community. A well conducted search will not only enable a school to find the best candidate but will also enable the appointee to begin his/her tenure with widespread confident institutional support. EC believes a successful tenure is most likely when there is broad engagement—either directly or through committees—at appropriate steps in the search process.
EC prides itself on building a robust pool of candidates. Our consultants draft a clear, compelling and culturally relevant recruitment document, which includes a leadership opportunity statement. The position is listed on appropriate online and print sites, and EC uses its extensive database and professional network to recruit sitting Heads, “rising stars,” and “out-of-the-box” candidates. The same is true for senior administrators. In many of our searches, the eventual appointee was not initially an applicant for the position but someone we contacted and encouraged to become a candidate.
We really get to know our candidates. (And we get to know them well.) EC partners personally conduct all candidate interviews and initial reference checking which results in thorough knowledge and vetting. Not only do we sit down and interview each candidate at length, but the extensive contacts that EC has within the educational and non-profit world contribute to the wealth of information we are able to gather about each candidate. Throughout our development of the candidate pool and our vetting process, our focus is on understanding how candidates are aligned with the leadership profile for the next head of school.
There can be three cases for hiring an interim Head. The first and most common occasion is when there is a sudden or untimely departure of the recent Head. If there is insufficient time to conduct a thorough search, then you will have little choice but to hire an interim. A second circumstance is when a school has enjoyed a lengthy tenure with its Head and feels that the school will adjust best to a new permanent Head after a transitional period with an interim appointee.

Finally, a school may feel that it needs to make significant and difficult changes to critical aspects of the school such as personnel or programs. In this circumstance, an interim Head will be a change agent who, by definition, has a brief tenure. In all cases, schools should expect interim Heads to address a set of short-term goals that will help the school continue to develop and move forward. EC works closely with you to adopt a timetable that fits your needs.
Part of our service is to provide your school with benchmark data on compensation packages for administrators, and to help determine an appropriate salary. In order to avoid the conflict of interest that might arise from a salary-based fee, EC charges a set fee regardless of the negotiated compensation package.
Yes. We have assisted schools with many hundreds of searches for a broad range of senior administrative positions.
As a full service consulting firm, we also offer evaluation and guidance on governance; assist with strategic and financial planning; consult on admissions policy; work with teams; coach leaders; and assist clients with conflict resolution.