Since its establishment in 1937, Northern Water has been a pivotal force in ensuring water security for over a million people across its designated boundaries. Originating from a visionary initiative to contract with the federal government for the construction of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, Northern Water has remained steadfast in its commitment to collecting water from the western side of the Continental Divide and channeling it to Northeastern Colorado. This dedicated effort addresses the diverse needs of the region, including agricultural, municipal, domestic, industrial, and environmental applications. A testament to its adaptability and foresight, Northern Water expanded its impact in 1970 with the formation of the Municipal Subdistrict, a collaborative effort involving six municipalities focused on building and operating the Windy Gap Project. With a rich history of effective planning and development, Northern Water continues to play a vital role in shaping sustainable water solutions for the communities it serves.
Location: Berthoud, CO
Category: Government Administration
Industry: Government Sector
Size: 200+ employees
Length of Time to Fill Role: 3+ months
Hired Candidate: Sander Blackburn
Situation
Quasi-governmental Entity with very low turnover rate needed a hire for director-level position. This would be the first hire at that level within the past 15 years, putting extra pressure on them to hire someone who could fit into their culture. The organization had already tapped into their networks, and desired support in a new search.
Action
We spent time getting to know the client along with their key goals, needs, and desired attributes for this position. We also took time to understand their culture and work processes. We initiated a full-cycle search, sourcing active and passive candidates, within the Colorado water industry. While it was important that all candidates have experience in most areas of responsibilities it was important to consider candidates in similar roles in other industries as well, with a focus being on the cultures they thrived in. Due to the importance of a culture fit, this director-level recruitment process required flexibility on our part, ensuring the client had several touchpoints with top candidates. While this resulted in an extended timeline, it also helped alleviate anxiety that would inevitably come with a hire that would be joining a firmly established team.
Impact
We sourced a candidate from an adjacent company in the energy industry, who had a history in working in a similar culture as Northern Water for a long period of time. Although there was a learning curve in a new industry, this candidate served to be a great culture fit which resulted in a smooth transition.
Callouts
- Role filled < 4 months
- Hired within salary range
