RFP: Executive Recruitment Pilot
OVERVIEW
Work for America (WFA) is a nonpartisan nonprofit working to solve the government staffing crisis by helping state and local governments recruit, hire, and inspire the talent they need to deliver for their communities.
WFA operates Civic Match, a national talent-matching platform that connects experienced, mission-driven professionals with open roles in state and local government. Through Civic Match, WFA has helped governments expand their reach to candidates who may not otherwise consider public service, and has developed practical insight into the real barriers that slow public-sector hiring down - including unclear role scoping, limited HR capacity, and inconsistent or lengthy processes.
As WFA’s work has grown, mayors and senior government leaders have increasingly asked WFA to provide support with executive recruitment (e.g. City Manager, Chief of Staff, Deputy Mayors, Department Heads). While many firms operate in this space, government leaders continue to report challenges related to speed, candidate reach, and transparency. WFA believes there may be an opportunity to pilot a complementary executive recruitment model that combines WFA’s national talent network with a structured process designed for public-sector realities, including procurement and documentation requirements.
WFA is seeking a consultant to develop a decision-grade business plan and go-to-market strategy that translates this opportunity into an executable pilot design.
SCOPE OF WORK & DELIVERABLES
This work is structured in two phases. WFA expects to contract for Phase 1 first. Phase 2 may follow depending on Phase 1 outcomes and WFA’s readiness to launch the pilot.
PHASE 1: BUSINESS PLAN + PILOT DESIGN + GO-TO-MARKET STRATEGY (6–8 WEEKS)
Objective: Produce a concrete business plan and pilot design that translates WFA’s executive recruitment hypothesis into an executable pilot model.
Scope of Work
The consultant may propose a different structure, but Phase 1 should address the following:
Market, Customers, and Go-to-Market Strategy: WFA will share relevant background on procurement dynamics and the current market landscape. The consultant will recommend target customer segments, buyer profiles, pilot role types, and a practical plan for how WFA will secure pilot partners and win early searches.
Service Model + Offering Definition: Define a clear, differentiated executive recruitment offering that integrates with Civic Match, including positioning, scope, a repeatable delivery workflow, and clear partner expectations and division of responsibilities.
Operating Model, Staffing, and Tooling: Recommend the minimum viable staffing model, operating approach, and tool stack required to deliver a small number of searches with high quality, structured screening/scoring, and clear documentation appropriate for public-sector hiring processes.
Pilot Playbook + Templates: Translate the model into an execution-ready playbook that WFA can run, including core SOPs, templates, and process standards needed to deliver searches consistently.
Financial Model + Business Case: Build a realistic cost and revenue model that includes pricing scenarios aligned with procurement realities, break-even assumptions, key sensitivities, and the scale thresholds required for meaningful earned revenue.
Deliverables
At minimum, Phase 1 should produce the following:
Business Plan Memo (Decision-Grade): A concise memo suitable for WFA leadership review, including the recommended service model, go-to-market strategy, operating model, summary financial assumptions, key risks, and success criteria.
Pilot Design Package (Implementation-Ready): A practical pilot package including the service workflow, staffing approach, playbook/SOPs, templates, recommended tooling setup, and pilot scorecard.
Financial Model: A spreadsheet-based model (Excel or Google Sheet) with clear assumptions and scenario testing, including cost per search, pricing options, revenue projections, and key sensitivities.
PHASE 2: OPTIONAL PILOT EXECUTION SUPPORT (TIMELINE TBD)
If WFA proceeds with the pilot, WFA may extend this engagement to support early execution, iteration, and synthesis of learnings. Phase 2 is not required for consideration, but respondents are welcome to include an optional perspective on what Phase 2 support could look like and how they would structure it.
Potential Phase 2 activities may include:
Pilot launch readiness (training, workflows, templates, tracking setup)
Advisory support during early searches
Light project management support
Full execution support (operating searches end-to-end under WFA direction)
Tracking metrics and synthesizing early learnings
End-of-pilot recommendations (pricing, staffing, tooling, GTM implications)
Desired Consultant Profile
WFA is seeking an individual consultant or small team with experience in some combination of:
Management consulting or equivalent strategic and analytical experience
Business planning and go-to-market strategy development in a startup environment
Executive recruitment/search operations (public-sector experience strongly preferred)
Government procurement realities and implications for pricing/contracting
Designing structured, defensible screening and scoring processes
Translating strategy into operating procedures, templates, and lightweight tooling
Financial modeling and business case development
Strong written communication and ability to produce executive-ready outputs
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
WFA invites proposals for Phase 1. Proposals should be concise (2–4 pages) and include:
Proposed Approach: Description of how the consultant would structure the work and deliver the Phase 1 outputs.
Workplan and Timeline: Expected timeline and key milestones for completing Phase 1 within 6–8 weeks.
Team and Roles: Who will do the work, their roles, and level of effort. If submitting as a firm, specify the lead consultant responsible for day-to-day delivery.
Relevant Experience: Examples of similar work, including business planning, go-to-market strategy, service design, executive recruitment, and/or public-sector procurement strategy. Include sample artifacts if available.
Budget and Pricing: Total proposed cost for Phase 1, including pricing structure (fixed fee preferred). Include any anticipated travel or direct expenses.
Optional: Phase 2 Perspective: Brief description of how the consultant would approach Phase 2 support if WFA proceeds.
ENGAGEMENT STRUCTURE AND TIMELINE
Engagement type: Independent contractor (individual or firm)
Anticipated term: March 15 through May 15, 2026 for Phase 1, with the option to extend
Location: Remote within the United States
Travel: No required travel anticipated
Reporting: The consultant will work closely with Work for America’s Chief Program Officer, Civic Match Program Director and program staff
Collaboration structure: Consultant will propose a working cadence and structure (e.g., weekly check-ins, regular reporting), noting that WFA prefers a lightweight, iterative working style that balances pace and rigor.
Background materials: WFA will provide relevant materials (including market analysis) and access to staff and other relevant external stakeholders, as appropriate.
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Interested applicants should submit a brief (2-3 pages) written proposal that includes:
A summary of relevant experience and qualifications
A description of the proposed approach to fulfilling the scope of work
A proposed budget or rate structure, with a brief explanation of assumptions
Resume(s) or bio(s) of relevant team member(s) - not included in page limit
Optional: One or two relevant work examples or references
Please submit proposals here by March 6, 2026 at 5pm ET. WFA expects to review proposals on a rolling basis.
WORK FOR AMERICA’S MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES
Mission: Work for America helps state and local governments recruit, hire and inspire the next wave of public servants, ensuring better services and a stronger America.
Vision: Work for America aims to make public service a more desirable, accessible, and stable career path that uplifts families, communities and our country.
Values:
Hope with realism. We lead with ambition and optimism, but we are not naive. Our on-the-ground work keeps us clear-eyed when it comes to the challenges of what’s real and what’s possible.
Care and high standards. We move quickly when it matters, and slow down when it counts. We stay focused on the work in front of us, make space to rest, and hold our work to a high bar for the people and communities that rely on it.
Teamwork with empathy. We operate as one team. No task is too small, and we meet each other with humor and respect that strengthens real partnership.
Build for today and tomorrow. We fix what’s in front of us and design for what comes next, creating solutions that last while making room for new ideas to take root.
Honor public service. We believe in the power and promise of public service, and we honor the people who carry that promise forward every day.
