We get it! You’re running a not-for-profit or small to medium-sized business in Canada, and between wearing 47 hats, trying to remember what lunch is, and decoding your accountant’s emails, hiring an executive probably feels like climbing Everest in a...
After 14 years of working closely with not-for-profit organizations, Essence Recruitment is expanding across Canada. Our mission has always been to support boards and leadership teams in finding the right people to move their missions forward—and now, we’re bringing...
Walk into any workplace, and you can feel the culture almost immediately. Sometimes it’s warm, collaborative, and buzzing with energy. Other times, it’s... well, about as lively as a Monday morning before coffee.But no matter what the vibe is, one thing is almost...
Let’s be real: attracting senior leadership isn’t about offering a free parking spot and a pat on the back anymore. These folks are seasoned, they’ve weathered recessions, board meetings that could’ve been emails, and enough PowerPoints to wallpaper the Taj Mahal. If...
Let’s be honest—CEO succession planning isn’t exactly the most exciting task on your to-do list, but it’s one of the most important. Whether you’re running a dedicated nonprofit in Canada, you don’t want to wait until your current CEO retires to start thinking about...
Ah, the good ol’ war on talent. It’s been waged for years, and guess what? The battlefield hasn’t changed. If you want to attract and retain top talent, you have to be the place people want to work. That means an employee-centric culture, not just a ping-pong table...
In the race to fill an open position, many employers focus so heavily on finding the "perfect hire" that they overlook one essential factor: the candidate's experience. Everyone who applies, interviews, or interacts with your organization forms an impression,...
Hiring can feel daunting, time-consuming, and costly for small to medium-sized businesses and not for profit organizations. Many business owners and hiring managers dive into filling positions quickly, or worse, not hiring at all, focusing on urgent needs rather than...
So, you're on the hunt for your unicorn—the perfect candidate who ticks all the boxes. But what if that magical person just isn't out there? You might need to rethink your strategy in today's competitive labor market. Should you focus on fit, culture, experience, or...
We’re a professional search firm, which means we work on behalf of our clients to recruit for leadership and professional roles. While we don’t provide general job placement services, we do connect talented individuals with opportunities that align with their experience and career goals. We encourage you to review our current listings and apply directly to any roles that match your qualifications. Not every opportunity is posted publicly, so if you’re interested in being considered for future roles, feel free to send us your resume.
Yes, absolutely. While we may not have a role for you at this moment, we’re always interested in connecting with professionals who align with the types of positions we recruit for. By submitting your resume, you’ll be on our radar for future opportunities that may be a strong fit.
Great question, and you’re not alone! Many of our clients are working with a recruitment partner for the first time. Typically, organizations come to us when:
Once we understand your situation and what success looks like for your organization, we build a tailored recruitment plan. From role definition and market outreach to interviews and onboarding support, we manage the process from start to finish. Every search is unique, but the goal is always the same: to help you find the right person to join your team and move your organization forward.
Every search begins with a targeted strategy tailored to the role, organization, and sector. While we do post publicly when appropriate, many of our successful placements come from directly reaching out to candidates who aren’t actively looking, but are the right fit.
We maintain a curated network of senior professionals with experience in not-for-profits and small to medium sized businesses. That said, we don’t limit our search to our existing network. We conduct proactive outreach, industry research, and referrals to ensure we’re identifying the best possible candidates for each role, not just the most available ones.
We specialize in recruiting for leadership and executive roles, typically at the manager, senior manager, director, and C-suite levels. Many of our clients are not-for-profit organizations and small to medium sized businesses (SME’s) that need strategic support in hiring key members of their leadership teams. We work across a broad range of sectors and focus on long-term fit, leadership alignment, and values-based hiring.
Our work doesn’t end when the contract is signed. We continue to support both you and your new hire through the onboarding process. Your recruitment plan includes onboarding priorities to help ensure a smooth transition, set clear expectations, and position the candidate for long-term success within your organization.
At Essence, we do more than fill positions, we become a true partner in your recruitment journey. Our approach is rooted in our core values: integrity, transparency, and a deep respect for people and purpose-driven organizations. We take the time to understand your culture, your challenges, and your goals, and then build a recruitment strategy that aligns with all three.
We offer a full-service, white-glove experience, managing every step of the process, from crafting compelling job descriptions and advising on compensation, to leading interviews and supporting onboarding. Our team leads the search with precision and professionalism, but keeps you engaged and informed from start to finish.
What sets us apart is our ability to bring the right people to the table, individuals who align not just with the role, but with your long-term vision. Whether you’re hiring a new Executive Director, a senior leader, or a specialized professional, we provide thoughtful, hands-on support every step of the way.
Essence is proud to specialize in working with not-for-profits and small to medium sized businesses across Canada, with deep roots and extensive experience. We’re not just filling a role, we’re helping build your future leadership.
