GITBOOK-1138: Rosie ED recruitment process changes

Author: Rosie Graham

intersect-team/open-positions/executive-director/executive-director-recruitment-process.md

@@ -1,3 +1,9 @@
+---
+description: >-
+  Intersect’s executive director (ED) recruitment process is designed to ensure
+  transparency, inclusivity, and alignment with our member-led governance model.
+---
+
 # Executive Director - Recruitment process
 
 {% hint style="warning" %}
@@ -6,38 +12,80 @@ All dates here might be adjusted based on amount of candidates.
 
 {% stepper %}
 {% step %}
-### Nominations
+### Applications and Nominations
+
+Candidates may apply directly or be nominated by a Member or DRep. All submissions will be reviewed by Intersect’s Head of People & Culture to confirm eligibility and shortlist candidates who meet the criteria outlined in the job description.
+
+**Applications and nominations are open from Monday October 6, 2025 and will close on Friday October 24, 2025.** 
+
+Note: By applying or accepting a nomination, candidates consent to limited sharing of their profiles with Intersect Members, DReps, and the Board during shortlisting and polling.
+{% endstep %}
+
+{% step %}
+### Shortlisting
 
-During this step we will accept direct applications from candidates as well as nominations (which can be converted to applications if accepted). At the end of this step all applications will be review to filter out anyone who doesn't meet the basic criteria, passing then the candidate list to the next step.
+The shortlisting stage is led by Intersect’s head of people and culture to ensure a consistent and fair review of all executive director applications. This stage helps identify candidates who best align with the skills, experience, and values required for the role before redacted profiles are shared for Member and DRep polling. The approach balances professional suitability with openness to diverse leadership backgrounds, reflecting Intersect’s commitment to transparency and equitable participation in governance. 
 
-This step will start on **Monday 6th of October 2025** and close on **Friday 24th of October 2025**
+Shortlisting will consider both comparable executive experience and relevant ecosystem or governance backgrounds. We’ll be looking for individuals who can operate at the intersection of strategic leadership and community representation - capable of running a complex organization while embodying Intersect’s decentralized values.
 {% endstep %}
 
 {% step %}
 ### Members and DReps polling
 
-Intersect is a member-based organization serving the Cardano community. Because of this, Members of Intersect and DReps (Delegated Representatives) of Cardano will be able to participate in two separate polls the outcome of which will define the top 10 candidates.
+Intersect is a member-based organization serving the Cardano community. Therefore, both Members and DReps will have the opportunity to review shortlisted profiles and vote via separate polls:
+
+* Member Poll: one-member-one-vote
+* DRep Poll: weighted by DRep stake
 
-The Member poll will run as one-member-one-vote. The DRep poll will run as based on the DRep stake.
+Candidate profiles presented in polling will be redacted for personal data and presented with identical structure and length to ensure fairness. Candidates will be asked to record a short video which will be submitted with their profile for polling. You can learn more about how candidate data is shared by viewing our [Candidate Privacy Policy](../../../legal/policies-and-conditions/candidate-privacy-policy.md). 
 
-The polls will run from **Monday 27th of October 2025** to **Sunday 31st of October 2025**
+**Polling will run from Monday October 27, 2025 to Friday October 31, 2025 and will determine the candidates to advance to panel interviews.**
+{% endstep %}
+
+{% step %}
+### Pre Panel Context Call
+
+Before the formal panel interview, shortlisted candidates will be invited to a thirty minute context call with Intersect’s head of people and culture and director of operations.  This call is not part of the assessment process - its purpose is to ensure every candidate has the same opportunity to:
+
+* Understand Intersect’s structure, governance model, and current priorities;
+* Ask questions about the organization, role expectations, or culture; and
+* Gain clarity on the upcoming panel interview format and case-study exercise.
+
+Each candidate will receive the same briefing and opportunity to ask questions. Notes from these calls are used only to ensure process consistency, not for evaluation.
 {% endstep %}
 
 {% step %}
 ### Panel interviews
 
-A Panel will run interviews with objective scoring to select the 3 finalists for nomination to the full Board of Directors.\
-\
-The panel will be made of 2 members of the Intersect Board, 2 representatives from the membership (elected member of the Intersect Steering Committee), 2 DReps and 2 members of the Intersect staff.
+During November 2025, independent panel interviews will select finalists based on a structured scoring system. The interview may require a short candidate presentation and will include both competency and behavioural based questions. 
+
+ Panel composition:
+
+* 2 Board representatives
+* 2 Member representatives (elected Steering Committee)
+* 2 Intersect staff 
+
+Interview questions and scoring will focus on:
+
+* Leadership and governance experience
+* Alignment with Intersect’s mission and community ethos
+* Operational and strategic capability in decentralized environments
 {% endstep %}
 
 {% step %}
 ### Board selection
 
-The Intersect Board of Directors will review the reports from the Panel and may select from list of candidates to negotiate ED contract or may decide to revise and restart the search process if a strong enough candidate has not been found.
+The Intersect Board of Directors will review the panel’s report and select a final candidate for offer and contract negotiation. 
 
 {% hint style="info" %}
-If Board cannot come to agreement with any candidates, they may fail the search and restart the process with revisions if necessary.
+If no suitable candidate is identified, the Board may decide to re-open applications with revisions, if necessary.
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 {% endstep %}
 {% endstepper %}
+
+### Transparency and Data Protection
+
+All applicant data will be stored securely and processed in line with GDPR. Consent to share candidate summaries for Member/DRep polling will be collected via the Typeform application form. 
+
+\
+If you have any questions which have not been answered here, please contact [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).