Request for Proposal Executive Recruitment & Search Firm Services - Administrator
| Location: | Michigan |
|---|---|
| Posted: | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Due: | Sep 8, 2026 |
| Agency: | Benzie County |
| Type of Government: | State & Local |
| Category: |
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| Publication URL: | To access bid details, please log in. |
Request for Proposal Executive Recruitment & Search Firm Services - Administrator
search and employment recruitment firms to assist the County in conducting a comprehensive,
broad candidate search, screening, and selection process for the position of County
Administrator.
Benzie County is seeking a firm with demonstrated experience in local government executive
recruitment - specifically in recruiting municipal and county leaders in Michigan or similar
regional markets.
Benzie County Request for Proposal Executive Recruitment & Search Firms Services - Administrator
Attachment Preview
BENZIE COUNTY
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENT & SEARCH FIRM SERVICES –
ADMINISTRATOR
The Benzie County Board of Commissioners is requesting proposals from qualified executive
search and employment recruitment firms to assist the County in conducting a comprehensive,
broad candidate search, screening, and selection process for the position of County
Administrator.
Benzie County is seeking a firm with demonstrated experience in local government executive
recruitment - specifically in recruiting municipal and county leaders in Michigan or similar
regional markets.
About Benzie County
Situated along the shores of Lake Michigan in Northwest Lower Michigan, Benzie County
operates under a seven-member Board of Commissioners. The County Administrator serves as
the Chief Administrative Officer. The Administrator oversees county operations, department
heads, budget preparation and administration, labor relations, facilities, and policy
implementation in cooperation with both appointed and constitutionally elected officials.
Scope of Services
The selected search firm will work in close coordination with the Board of Commissioners and
designated county staff to manage a turnover-related executive search process. Key scope items
include, but are not limited to:
1. Stakeholder Input & Position Profile Development
o Conduct intake discussions with Commissioners, key department leaders, and
elected officials to establish ideal candidate qualifications, leadership traits, and
strategic priorities.
o Draft a professional position brochure/profile for review and approval by the
Board.
2. Sourcing & Targeted Recruitment
o Execute a proactive marketing and targeted outreach campaign to attract a diverse
pool of highly qualified candidates from local, state, and national networks.
o Advertise the opening across prominent professional networks (e.g., ICMA,
MME, NACo).
3. Screening & Candidate Evaluation
o Review all applications and credentials against approved criteria.
o Conduct initial vetting and preliminary interviews on top prospects.
o Present a curated slate of recommended semi-finalist candidates to the Board.
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REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Executive Recruitment & Search Firm Services - Administrator
4. Selection & Interview Process
o Assist the Board in designing public interview protocols, candidate questions, and
evaluation tools.
o Coordinate candidate logistics and facilitate public/finalist interview sessions in
Beulah, MI.
5. Final Vetting & Negotiation Support
o Perform comprehensive background checks (criminal history, civil litigation,
media review, academic verification, and detailed reference checks).
o Provide advisory support to the Board during employment agreement and
compensation negotiations.
Proposal Requirements
Firms submitting a proposal must include the following information in a clear, concise format:
A. Firm Overview & Qualifications
• Profile of the firm, including length of time in business, office locations, and
specialization in public sector/local government executive search.
• Bios of key personnel who will directly manage the Benzie County search.
B. Relevant Experience & References
• List of at least three (3) past executive searches completed within the last five (5) years
for municipal or county administrator/manager positions (preferably within Michigan or
the Upper Midwest).
• Contact details (name, title, entity, phone, email) for references from each listed search.
C. Methodology & Timeline
• A detailed work plan outlining the firm’s approach to recruitment, candidate screening,
board engagement, and background vetting.
• Proposed recruitment timeline from project kickoff to contract execution.
D. Cost Proposal & Guarantee
• All-inclusive fixed fee breakdown, encompassing recruitment fees, advertising,
background checks, candidate travel expenses (if applicable), and administrative
overhead.
• Details regarding the firm’s placement guarantee policy (e.g., replacement terms should
the selected administrator resign or be terminated within 12–24 months).
Page 2 of 4
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Executive Recruitment & Search Firm Services - Administrator
Submission & Selection Schedule
Milestone
Target Date
RFP Issuance
August 12, 2026
Proposal Submission Deadline
Friday, September 4, 2026, by 4:00 PM EST
Evaluation by Board
September 8, 2026
Contract Award & Project Kickoff September 22, 2026
Submission Instructions
Proposals must be received no later than Friday, September 4, 2026 at 4:00 PM. Submissions
delivered after this deadline will not be considered.
Proposals may be submitted physically or electronically:
In Person or By Mail:
Benzie County Clerk’s Office
Attn: Tammy Bowers
Re: County Administrator Search Firm RFP
448 Court Place
Beulah, MI 49617
By Email:
Send to County Clerk Tammy Bowers at: tbowers@benzieco.gov
Subject Line: Benzie County Administrator Search RFP Submission – [Firm Name]
Questions & Inquiries
All questions, requests for clarification, or inquiries regarding this RFP must be directed in
writing via email to:
Rhonda Nye, Vice Chair
Benzie County Board of Commissioners
Email: rnye@benzieco.gov
Terms & Conditions
• Benzie County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive informalities or
irregularities in any proposal received, and select the firm determined to be in the best
interest of the County.
• This RFP does not commit Benzie County to award a contract or pay any costs incurred
in the preparation of a proposal.
• All submitted materials become public record under the Michigan Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) upon submission.
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REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Executive Recruitment & Search Firm Services - Administrator
• Price alone shall not be the basis for the award of this work but shall be only one of the
components considered. The County does not intend to award a contract for this work
solely on the basis of any response made to this request. The following facts, along with
other items, will be considered:
o The firm's expertise and experience as related to the required work.
o The firm's understanding of the project scope and quality of the firm's project
approach.
o The cost and time scheduled as proposed.
o Qualifications and availability of the key staff members proposed to work on this
project.
o Involvement of the firm in similar types of projects, reference responses and
quality of work on previous projects.
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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
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