Taking the High Road: Shifting Gears From For-Profit to Non-Profit and Higher Education

Good leaders are a universal business need. Wise, strong, relational leaders are more important than ever in business. It doesn’t matter what sector or industry a company operates in. It also doesn’t matter if the end goal is to make a profit. Even non-profit and higher education institutions need leaders who are confident and make wise financial and strategic decisions.   

The question is, how can leaders looking for a more fulfilling career effectively make the shift into the non-profit or higher education sector?  

Understanding Non-Profit and Higher Education Senior Leadership

There is a large and growing demand for educated and experienced executives in both the non-profit and higher education fields. The repercussions of the pandemic have put particular pressure on the former, with The NonProfit Times reporting that 60% of non-profits claim their top priority is both attracting and retaining qualified people. The University of Georgia also points out that the demand for non-profit leaders is increasing. The school specifically states that “personnel with organizational and philanthropic development knowledge are in short supply.”   

Along with the need for more non-profit leaders, their role is also going through a great awakening of sorts. The National Council of Nonprofits lists one of the top non-profit trends at the moment as a “growing awareness that every nonprofit and board member needs to be an active, vocal advocate for her/his nonprofit’s mission to affect policies in the community, and at a national level.” It takes community involvement as well as national policy influence and exposure to grow a non-profit.   

The need for strong leaders, both in the role of executives and board members, is a clear concern for the non-profit world.   

The problem is, executives can’t simply pivot from a for-profit to a non-profit workplace and apply the same skills and solutions that have led to success in the past. Both the non-profit and higher education worlds function in unique ways and require both intimate experience and understanding.  

For instance, higher education organizations operate with unique goals and different models than traditional companies. From pacing to organizational systems, there are many facets to an educational workplace that aren’t replicated in the for-profit sector.  

Non-profits are also different, although in this case, deceptively similar to their for-profit equivalents. Leading them requires a nuanced understanding of financial management models and relationship management. Leaders must acquire new skills like philanthropy and donor management, and associate themselves with governmental responsibilities as well as state and nationwide requirements.  

The end result, for both non-profits and higher education, is two sectors that require informed, experienced, and strong leaders. These must understand how non-profits and educational organizations are run while also bringing strong universal leadership skills, such as decision-making, strategic planning, communication, emotional intelligence, and management, to the table. 

How to Jumpstart a Shift Into the Non-Profit Sector

The ability to jump from a for-profit business to either a non-profit or higher education organization is possible, but it rarely takes place smoothly. The transition requires a careful and thoughtful approach.  

In a world where many professionals, even on the executive level, are looking for ways to add more meaning to their careers, it’s important to approach a shift toward these two deeply rewarding sectors thoughtfully. Here are three key factors to keep in mind when doing so:  

• Don’t rush: It’s highly recommended not to dive into the non-profit or higher education worlds all at once. The transition can be jarring. A stable, steady approach is more likely to succeed. Learn what credentials are needed and how they are viewed differently from your current, private-sector employment.   
• Volunteer your time: Ease into the non-profit or higher education sectors by volunteering. Learn the ins and outs of the industry that you’d like to pursue. Make sure it’s a good fit, and learn how to contribute genuine value before your reputation and paycheck are on the line. Understand the difference between building the bottom line and building relational capital. Both are crucial but in different ways.   
• Work with a recruiter: When you’re ready, find a good recruiter with industry knowledge to help place you in the right position to maximize your leadership potential.  

When it comes to that last step, you want to find a recruiter with the right qualifications to help you make the transition away from the for-profit world. This gives you a strong sense of foundational support coupled with a fount of experience that can help guide your journey.   

When it comes to that last step, you want to find a recruiter with the right qualifications to help you make the transition away from the for-profit world. This gives you a strong sense of foundational support coupled with a fount of experience that can help guide your journey.   

The team at Stanton Chase has a solid track record of placing the right leaders in the best positions to thrive. This extends beyond the for-profit world, too. If you’re considering a shift into the non-profit or higher education sectors, reach out so that we can put our knowledge, experience, and recruitment tools to work to help guide you toward a deeply rewarding future.   

About the Author 

Nancy Jernigan, Ph.D., is a Director at the Stanton Chase Los Angeles office with industry specialization in Government, Education, and Non-Profit as well as Life Sciences and Healthcare. Nancy’s 30-year career has focused on building effective, efficient, and forerunning teams in higher education, digital marketing and strategy, healthcare, and nonprofit settings. Nancy is an advocate for supporting change at universities and colleges. She has worked with a major university in bringing aboard their top equity, equal opportunity, and Title IX executive. Nancy is considered a trusted advisor to many C-Suite executives and Boards of Directors. Nancy lends her expertise in Leadership Development to her many clients. In addition, Nancy is a leader in the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Practice Group.