The landscape of the third sector has changed immeasurably in the last year and so have the needs of the boardroom and beyond.

Not-for-profits have always relied on people volunteering their time and energy to a cause that they are passionate about, but with the impact of COVID-19 on funds and fundraising and the subsequent impact across the sector, The Charity Practice at Moon Executive Search is seeing that many organisations are keen to widen their remit and hire leaders that bring different qualities to the team.

Sandy Hinks, Head of Charity Practice, summarizes some of the skills and characteristics that not-for-profits are searching for in 2021:

1)      Digital

The world has seen a rush towards digitalisation across the board due to the pandemic and the third sector is no different. The ability of organisations to connect with the public via social media and websites will define their future. People that can utilise technology will be of great value to the work of not-for-profits. The portrayal of a charity’s mission online via video and social media can elevate the message and by showing the impact that the donations make to the beneficiaries. This connection to the donors will bring more as well as provide opportunities for charities to make a positive difference to the end-users that they serve. For more insight about the potential for digital, read our account of when we spoke to Professor Glen Parry about the constant transformation of the digital world.

2)      Remote Soft Skills

Connecting with people is more than just following on social media. The real relationships that foster growth and change are built in person (or on video calls). People that can break the ice and build rapport with businesses and institutions are even more important than before. Communicating effectively with external stakeholders and keeping the internal team informed via video calls, phone and email is now essential. Learning to become a good remote communicator is vital with soft skills are the most in-demand asset for candidates according to LinkedIn. Our tips on succeeding at video calls explores these themes in further detail.

3)      Empathy and Understanding

Empathy is being aware of the emotions and feelings of other people. These qualities underpin much of the work that is carried out by the third sector. Individuals that understand the plight of others can help to develop solutions to support the beneficiaries of the charity. Understanding the values and culture of her clients allows Sandy to create a shortlist of individuals that possess the skills and the passion to succeed. Each client is different and appreciating the circumstances of the organisation and the requirements of the role is what makes Sandy such an effective recruiter. You can read Sandy’s guide to hiring a Trustee here.

4)      Flexible leadership

Not-for-profits are always searching for leaders that can make crucial decisions and inspire their team to greater heights. The difficult decisions forced upon charities due to the substantial drop in revenue over the last year required strength. Leading a team of remote individuals requires different processes but the same qualities remain, listening to the team, knowing the different characters, supporting their well-being, and appreciating the different situations. Keeping the workforce motivated by offering support and flexible work schedules is only going to increase in importance to leadership in the digital era. Moon Executive Search is working with Professors from the University of the West of England to further the body of research for executives that work reduced hours. The greater the understanding towards flexible working, well-being and productivity, the greater grasp organisations will have on the behaviour of their workforce.

5)      Networking and Fundraising

Although the nature of networking has changed, the importance of reach and raising funds has not. The challenges presented by lockdown has forced innovation from organisations to forge new partnerships and collaborations. Our clients have raised incredible amounts of funding and grants throughout the pandemic by connecting with communities and businesses. Sandy has worked with a wide range of organisations that have led and raised funds to help their beneficiaries. The Quartet Community Foundation had distributed over £1.85 million in Covid-related funding by December last year, supporting  local charitable organisations through the coronavirus crisis. Sandy led on the search for a Chair and Trustees for Quartet Community Foundation  two critical appointments for the organisation at this time. The team at Moon Executive Search also use our network and connections to bring businesses and not-for-profits together via initiatives such as the National Business Response Network to connect not-for-profit organisations with the businesses that can make a difference.

During these remote times, The Charity Practice at Moon Executive Search will continue to work with our clients and partners to find the leaders that can lead change and create a brighter future for the beneficiaries of not-for-profits across the UK. To find out more about the solutions that Sandy and the team at Moon can provide, please contact Sandy Hinks via email.