Executive Search Consultant

CPS HR Consulting•Sacramento, CA

12h•Hybrid

About The Position

CPS HR Consulting is seeking an experienced Executive Search Consultant to lead full-cycle executive recruitments for public sector clients throughout the West Coast. Serving as a trusted advisor to Boards of Supervisors, City Councils, and executive leadership, you will manage high-profile recruitments for positions such as City Managers, Assistant City Managers, department directors, and deputy directors. This opportunity is ideal for a highly motivated, dynamic individual with extensive experience in local government who knows how to identify, engage, and recruit top executive talent. The ideal candidate brings exceptional stakeholder engagement skills and a track record of successful public sector recruitment—whether as a recruiter or in a manager/supervisor capacity—along with strong leadership, high political acumen, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, client-focused environment. In this role, you will serve in a project-based W-2 consulting capacity with flexible, as-needed engagement. When assigned to a project, hours and project assignments will vary based on client needs and are not guaranteed.

Requirements

Prior leadership experience within a government entity, city, county, or municipal organization.
Experience working directly with elected officials, executive leadership, or governing boards.
Demonstrated knowledge of public sector organizational structures and executive roles (e.g., City Manager, Assistant City Manager, department directors, deputy directors).
Strong business and political acumen.
Exceptional professionalism and executive presence.
Ability to build trust and credibility with high-level executives and elected officials.
Strong understanding of public sector operating environments and local government dynamics.
Excellent interpersonal, networking, and relationship-building skills.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Flexibility and availability to travel and respond to client needs on short notice.
Passion for working with and supporting the mission, vision, and values of our public sector and non-profit clientele.
Approaches every engagement with professionalism, integrity, and discretion.
Navigates complex political and organizational dynamics with confidence.
Communicates proactively and effectively with executives, elected officials, and client leadership.
Proactively manages workload and communicates availability and capacity.
Understands the unique dynamics of local government and public sector executive recruitment.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading or managing executive-level recruitments strongly preferred.
Established network within public sector leadership strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage executive recruitments from start to finish for local government and public-sector organizations.
Manage up to four concurrent executive search projects, each spanning approximately three months.
Collaborate with hiring managers and senior executives to identify the ideal candidate profile, recruitment needs and develop client-specific strategies aligned with project timelines, budgets, and scope.
Build and leverage extensive networks within the local government sector to identify and attract top talent.
Manage the full recruitment lifecycle, from candidate sourcing and screening to offer negotiation and onboarding, utilizing industry-leading tools and resources.
Confidently present candidates and the hiring process to boards, commissions, and councils (typically 5+ members), effectively representing the organization.
Serve as a strategic advisor, building trusted relationships with clients, stakeholders, and candidates while providing insights to support their talent acquisition objectives.
Negotiate salary packages and contractual terms, as needed, to optimize outcomes for all parties.
Navigate complex political environments with diplomacy, using strong written and verbal persuasive skills to influence decision-makers and key stakeholders.