A $650 million Florida credit union sought to fill a critical Director of Lending position as part of their strategic growth initiatives. The organization’s commitment to investing in their people and expanding their lending operations made the opportunity attractive to qualified candidates in the market.
While the credit union had budgeted $80,000-$100,000 for the position, we quickly identified a significant gap: qualified candidates with the necessary experience and expertise were consistently earning above $100,000 in their current roles. Through strategic negotiation and advocacy, we successfully worked with the credit union to increase the compensation to $125,000. This adjustment positioned the opportunity competitively while reflecting the true market value of the role.
The recalibrated compensation package, combined with the credit union’s growth story and people-first culture, enabled us to attract and secure an exceptional candidate who brought the expertise needed to drive the lending division forward. The candidate was energized by the opportunity to join an organization actively investing in expansion and employee development, making the in-office requirement a non-issue.
This placement demonstrates the critical importance of market intelligence and transparent communication in executive search. By aligning compensation expectations with market realities and effectively communicating the organization’s value proposition, we delivered a win-win outcome that supports the credit union’s continued growth and provides the candidate with an exciting career opportunity.