When Is the Best Time to Hire for Nonprofits?

Hiring at the wrong time can stall progress. Hiring at the right time can transform an organization. For nonprofits navigating limited budgets, evolving strategies, and growing community needs, the “when” of hiring is just as important as the “who.”

‍If you’ve ever asked yourself whether now is the right time to bring in a new Executive Director, CFO, or Development Officer, this guide will help you think strategically about timing your next nonprofit hire.

Understand the Two Types of Hiring Triggers

At Maneva Group, we find that most nonprofit hires fall into one of two timing buckets:

‍1. Reactive Hiring Triggers

‍These are responses to challenges or urgent shifts:

• A leader announces their departure
• Burnout is impacting team performance
• A program is falling short of its goals
• Compliance, finance, or fundraising capacity is lacking

In these cases, hiring is critical to stop a gap — but if it’s too rushed, it can lead to misalignment or short-term fixes that don’t last.

‍2. Proactive Hiring Triggers

‍These are forward-thinking and strategic:

• A new strategic plan calls for leadership expansion
• You’ve secured new multi-year funding
• You’re entering a new market or launching a major initiative
• You're planning for succession before a transition is imminent

Proactive hiring gives you time to assess fit, build buy-in, and position the new hire for success.

Signs You Should Start a Search Now

Not sure where you fall? If any of these statements are true, now might be the right time to hire:

You’re turning down opportunities due to capacityYou’re relying too heavily on 1 or 2 key leadersTeam morale or retention is starting to dipYou’ve secured funding that requires execution leadershipYou’re 3–6 months away from a planned leadership transition

Still unsure? Try this: Imagine it’s 12 months from now — what role do you wish you had hired today?

‍Timing Tips for Specific Scenarios

What Happens When You Wait Too Long?

Delaying a key hire can come at a cost:

• Staff burnout and attrition
• Stalled programs and missed opportunities
• Lost funder confidence
• Compromised execution of strategic goals

By contrast, organizations that plan ahead and time their hires well tend to see faster onboarding, stronger team alignment, and better long-term retention.

Hire at the Speed of Strategy — Not Panic

Hiring doesn’t need to be reactive. In fact, the best leaders are hired with tomorrow’s goals in mind, not yesterday’s emergencies. That’s why we encourage nonprofits to incorporate hiring into annual planning, leadership retreats, and even board conversations.

Ask your team:

• What roles do we need to reach our 18-month goals?
• Where do we have gaps — in skills, leadership, or capacity?
• What transitions are likely within the next year?
• Are we building toward growth, or just treading water?

Final Thoughts: Timing Is a Strategic Advantage

There’s no universal “perfect” time to hire in the nonprofit sector — but there is a right time for your organization. The earlier you begin planning, the more likely you are to attract the right candidate, avoid disruption, and set your team up for long-term success.

Let’s Talk About Timing

Maneva Group partners with nonprofits to lead mission-critical searches — from Executive Directors and Presidents to CFOs and Chiefs of Development. Whether you’re planning a leadership transition or preparing to scale, we help you hire with intention, not urgency.