Contingency and Shortlisting

AAW’s Shortlisting Service delivers high-quality senior candidates quickly — and you only pay when we deliver a successful hire.

Fast, focused and insight-led recruitment for the charity sector.

AAW’s Contingency & Shortlisting Service is a streamlined recruitment model for charities and non-profits that need to hire senior or mid-level leaders quickly — without running a full executive search.

We manage the entire process of advertising, candidate attraction, screening and evaluation, drawing on our deep network of fundraising, marketing and engagement professionals.

The result is a curated shortlist of appointable candidates, each assessed against your brief and organisational culture — ready for interview within 2–3 weeks.

Start your search

How it works

Define the brief
We’ll take time to understand your needs - from skills and culture fit to urgency and budget.

Search & screen
We use targeted outreach, advertising and candidate assessment to identify leaders who can deliver..

Deliver your shortlist
You receive a list of exceptional candidates, within 2–3 weeks — complete with summaries, recommendations and interview support.

Email us to start your search

What is AAW’s Contingency & Shortlisting Service?

Our Contingency & Shortlisting Service is built on the same rigour as our Executive Search, but designed for speed.

Both our Shortlisting and Executive Search services are founded on AAW’s proven methodology — combining sector insight, rigorous assessment and a commitment to excellence.

The difference lies in scale and pace.

Executive Search is ideal for transformational or board-level appointments requiring detailed stakeholder consultation and comprehensive market mapping.

Shortlisting, meanwhile, is designed for organisations that need strong leadership quickly — a faster, focused route to high-calibre talent when you already have clarity about what you need.

Get your shortlist
  • "The quality of candidates was amazing and we were able to appoint a person with just the right level of experience and knowledge through a seriously high quality field of interviews."

    Lindsay Boswell | Chief Executive | FareShare

Our record speaks for itself

80%

Of the top 25 charities that we’ve placed roles for

500+

Fundraising leaders placed over 10 years

£1b+

Raised by AAW appointments

Roles we have recently placed

  • Appointed to Build Hearing Dogs’ New Philanthropy and Partnerships Team

  • Deputy Head of Philanthropy

  • Chief Executive Officer

Leadership Insights

Our Clients

AAW work across a diverse range of clients, sectors and projects, with a selection below. To see a full list of our work with non-profits of all sizes globally that demonstrates our scale, diversity and range click here.