Executive Search Firm Services

The City of Urbana is requesting proposals from executive recruitment firms to conduct a search for Chief Human Resources Officer, with proposals due October 26, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CT and written questions due October 19, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CST. The arrangement does not provide exclusivity; the City reserves the right to enter into agreements with multiple search firms.

The scope covers a seven-phase recruitment process: pre-recruitment planning, candidate recruitment with emphasis on diversity and direct outreach, application screening, semi-finalist screening via phone or video interview, finalist interviews including background checks and reference verification, negotiation and contract finalization, and onboarding assistance. The City will handle public communications, final candidate screening, interview coordination, final selection, and onboarding. Proposers must comply with federal, state, and local affirmative action and equal employment opportunity laws and provide references from public sector agencies demonstrating successful executive placements in comparable positions.

The CHRO position is newly budgeted for fiscal year 2026–2027 and represents a new addition to the Human Resources Division, which currently staffs eight full-time employees supporting approximately 290 budgeted positions across the City. The selected proposer may be requested to assist with future searches for Executive Management Team and Leadership Team level candidates through December 31, 2029, with scope and cost to be negotiated as needs arise.

Proposers must submit detailed fee proposals including total costs, specific service charges, payment schedules, cost guarantees, and reimbursement processes for recruitment-related expenses with no hidden costs permitted. Pricing differentials for higher-level executive and lower-level management position searches are required. Proposers must maintain malpractice and liability insurance of $1 million per incident and $1 million aggregate coverage, naming the City as an additional insured. Payment will be made within 45 days of invoice submission. All proposals are irrevocable for 90 days after the submission deadline and become property of the City of Urbana, subject to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Electronic proposal submission is required through the City's e-Procurement Portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/urbanaillinois. The City will notify the successful respondent within 90 calendar days of the submission deadline.