Many organizations have a governance system based on a board of directors. While the executive committee manages the organization’s day-to-day operations, the directors are situated directly above them in the organizational hierarchy and manage long-term value creation. Directors are elected by and accountable to shareholders, members or the government, depending on the nature of the organization. In short, the role of the board of directors is to ensure that the decisions made by management are in the best interests of stakeholders and support the longevity of the organization. Board member recruitment is crucial to the success of organizations with this structure.
To provide the greatest benefit to the organization, a board of directors must include people from different backgrounds with diverse skill sets. Unlike management positions on the executive committee, board of director positions do not necessarily require candidates with extensive experience (from their point of view, this position is an excellent professional springboard). Instead, board members are appointed because their specific areas of expertise are relevant to the organization’s challenges. In very large organizations, the board of directors will comprise sub-committees, which may be focused on HR, business risk, IT, security or other issues, depending on the nature of the organization and industry.
Whether you are at the head of a non-profit organization, a public company or a private company, the board recruiters at PIXCELL can help you recruit the right person to complete your board of directors.
All board members are directors who have been elected for a set period of time, usually between three and five years. Some board members are assigned specific roles to ensure good governance.
The chair heads the board of directors and manages its activities. This executive presides over all meetings and general assemblies and may be called upon to sign contracts on behalf of the organization. The vice chair stands in for the chair when needed and may sit on committees as a representative of the board of directors.
As a director, the treasurer participates in the board’s meetings and in decision-making. However, the treasurer has the further responsibility of managing financial assets. This executive must ensure that the organization’s financial status is properly reported. This involves, for example, reviewing the annual financial statements prepared by the accountant before they are externally audited. In addition, fellow directors may turn to the treasurer for advice when assessing how a given decision will impact the organization’s finances.
As with the treasurer and the other directors, the secretary attends board meetings and participates in votes on decisions. The secretary has the further roles of scheduling board meetings and keeping records. This executive is responsible for preparing the agenda, sending out notices for meetings and taking minutes during meetings.
Depending on your organization’s activities, size and unique challenges, you may need to appoint directors with other backgrounds, such as experienced managers in human resources, IT, security or business risk and former members of government.
Directors typically join boards to support a cause they care about, develop certain skillsets or share their expertise. It is critical to have competent directors who can take on your organization’s current and future challenges alike. As a board member recruitment firm, PIXCELL understands this, and we help our clients clarify the profiles they are looking for based on their organization’s unique challenges. We look beyond the CV to recruit the most effective director. Our board recruiters aim to bring together people who share the same values and have a common vision.
Whatever the mission of your foundation, public or parapublic organization, SME or large company, PIXCELL’s headhunters will work with you to target your needs and recruit a reliable director who will join your team for the right reasons.
