Executive Search Firm Services

The City of Urbana, Illinois, is soliciting proposals under solicitation number FY2027-RFP-214 for professional executive search firm services to recruit a Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). This is a newly budgeted position for the FY2026-2027 period within the City's Executive Department. The selected firm will be responsible for a multi-phase recruitment process, including pre-recruitment planning, job description revisions, and the development of a comprehensive strategy to attract highly qualified and diverse candidates. Additionally, the contract allows the City to engage the vendor for further searches of Executive Management or Leadership Team candidates through December 31, 2029, with specific scopes and costs to be negotiated as needs arise. Proposals are due by October 26, 2026, and must be submitted electronically. Evaluation criteria include compliance with RFP requirements, cost, the firm's capacity and skill, past performance, financial stability, and adherence to instructions. Applicants must provide a detailed fee proposal, a firm profile, staff qualifications, and mandatory documentation including an EEO Workforce Statistics Form, a corporate EEO statement, and a sexual harassment policy. The contract requires strict adherence to the Urbana City Code, the Illinois Human Rights Act, and the Prevailing Wage Act. The City maintains the right to inspect all services and reject nonconforming work, with the vendor bearing all costs for remediation.