Commission declines to hire executive recruiter; reopens national city manager search

The North Miami Beach City Commission voted Oct. 21 to decline a contract with an executive search firm for the city manager recruitment and to continue a nationwide recruitment through existing channels.

Commissioners debated whether spending roughly $28,000–$34,000 for an executive search firm would hasten a hire and produce higher-quality candidates or whether the city’s own expanded recruitment effort and higher salary range (up to $300,000) made a headhunter unnecessary.

Jacob Newman, interim HR director, told the commission the city’s posting and outreach had produced dozens of applicants and that additional outreach to national organizations had already been made. He also summarized three proposals from professional search firms that described 12- to 14-week processes at fees in the $28,000–$34,000 range.

Commissioner Susan Smith (identified in the meeting as Commissioner Smith) argued the city already had a large candidate pool and warned that an outside firm could add months to a process the city wanted to finish sooner. Commissioners who favored a firm said search firms bring a broader network and help vet passive candidates.

A motion to rescind the engagement of a headhunter and proceed without an outside executive search firm passed by a 6-1 vote. The commission also extended the recruitment window and increased the salary range earlier in the meeting; staff will continue screening applicants received through the city’s advertised posting, ICMA and other professional outlets.

What’s next: HR will continue internal and national outreach through the job posting period and provide a timeline and proposed interview schedule to commissioners.