CEO Update Live forum brings together three panelists from top search firms

The role of CEO is changing, and association candidates must meet new expectations—with management experience and vision—to win the top job, according to a panel of executive recruiters.

"One of the bigger shifts we've seen in the last five to seven years [is that], people are really looking for strategic visionary leaders … who can really take the organization to the next level and can really see around corners," said recruiter Denise Grant of Russell Reynolds Associates. "It's not enough to be a shoe-leather advocate."

Grant spoke at a Feb. 12 forum on the latest trends on executive recruiting, first of four CEO Update Live events to be held this year. Also part of the panel discussion: Charles Ingersoll of Korn/Ferry International and Jim Zaniello, president and founder of Vetted Solutions.

Ingersoll agreed that associations are looking for somebody impactful, who understands the global marketplace and can inspire the industry.

Board members want to know: "Are you building our industry so we still have customers, so that our businesses are expanding?" Zaniello added.

The recruiters also touched on the wave of current and expected retirements—and the domino effect that will have on hiring new CEOs.

Other trends they cited include a greater emphasis on "at-risk" bonus and performance pay, and fewer perks such as cars and club memberships. Though compensation has generally been growing for association leaders, tough economic times mean boards are unlikely to award a new CEO the same compensation as a long-time predecessor.

"Your members have to be comfortable with your compensation," Ingersoll said, especially true at professional societies where most members don't have high salaries.

Read more about the Executive Recruiter Forum—including tips for jobseekers and how to attract recruiters' attention—in the Feb. 22 issue of CEO Update.