
SHIRLEY ASSOCIATES HAS BEEN THE LEADING NON-PROFIT EXECUTIVE SEARCH FIRM IN LOS ANGELES SINCE IT WAS FOUNDED IN 1998
Our clients include social service agencies, private schools, universities, libraries, museums, performing arts institutions, foundations, international aid, human rights and environmental agencies. We work for every cause. We have developed a range of non-profit staffing services designed to meet every budget and time constraint. We are also the only non-profit recruitment firm to host an autonomous job board.
OUR EXECUTIVE SEARCH SERVICES
Shirley Associates' partners and principals have over 60 years of combined experience headhunting the top performers in the non-profit sector in the U.S. and Europe. Virtually all our business comes through referrals due to a time-honored methodology that gets results. We have placed hundreds of Executive Directors, Development Directors, Program Directors, Marketing Directors, CFOs, HR Directors and hundreds of senior executives and managers reporting to such functional leaders. Our search process follows a time-tested methodology that never fails to produce outstanding candidates.
The search process usually takes twelve weeks and involves us in the following steps:
- Meeting with your key stakeholders and senior management for an in-depth analysis of your needs, capabilities, and culture.
- Researching target organizations and potential candidates, including the rising stars from a diverse and inclusive pool of prospects.
- Sourcing opinion leaders and professionals who have relationships with potential candidates.
- In-depth phone and video screening of hundreds of potential candidates.
- Interviewing the best candidates face-to-face and providing you with in-depth reports on their suitability.
- Guiding you through the final interview logistics and candidate evaluation process.
- Checking the successful candidate's references in depth.
- Representing you in the job offer and salary negotiations.
RECENT ASSIGNMENTS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - MEALS ON WHEELS
We placed Veronica Dover as the CEO replacing a founding Executive Director

ELIZABETH ZAMORA - BRIGHT PROSPECTS
We placed Elizabeth Zamora as the Executive Director of Bright Prospects replacing a founding Executive Director

DEPUTY CIO - POMONA COLLEGE
We placed Janet Russel as the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Support and Instructional Services

MEET THE TEAM

Martin Shirley founded the U.S. arm of Shirley Associates in Los Angeles in 1998. Prior to launching his search practice, Martin was a search consultant with a leading international executive search firm based in Los Angeles, where he was responsible for recruiting CEO's, CFO's, CIO's, for international enterprises. Martin's prior experience in search includes co-founding Execucare, Europe's leading non-profit executive search firm and DeepSweep, a local nonprofit job board, DeepSweep.com


TESTIMONIAL
To my way of thinking, Martin Shirley is simply the best nonprofit executive search consultant in Southern California. In my long-time capacity as a Chief Advancement Officer, I have retained Shirley Associates to conduct dozens of searches over the course of 15+ years. Time and time again, Martin reached into his deep and vast network of sources and resources to identify and recruit the highest caliber candidates for a wide variety of director-level fundraising and management positions. He understands his client's needs, works to make that perfect fit, and strives for excellence in all communications and placements. Martin is that unique in-demand expert, who has has the charm, charisma, intelligence, humor and grace to bring about a successful conclusion to a search. The value-added far outweighed any budget concerns one faces in making the decision to hire a search firm. How much revenue is lost when a integral fundraising position is left open for any period of time? Or worse, when a new hire doesn't work out? It is without hesitation that I recommend Shirley Associates to all nonprofit executives and boards for their executive search needs.
- Tina Johann, former Associate SVP, Children's Hospital L.A.
CONTACT US
Call or email us with any questions you may have
323 283 1542
info@shirleyassociates.com