Project Information

Bid Title

Request for Proposals - Executive Recruitment — Community Development Director

Issuing Agency

City of Foster City

Location

California

Published Date

May 28, 2026

Closing Date

Jun 12, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Request for Proposals - Executive Recruitment — Community Development Director

Bid/RFP Status:

Open - accepting bids and proposals

Bid/RFP Due Date:

Friday, June 12, 2026 - 5:00pm

Back to Bids/RFPs

Bid/RFP Status: Open - accepting bids and proposals

Bid/RFP Due Date: June 12, 2026, by 5:00 PM PST

Back to Bids/RFPs

Overview:

City of Foster City (the "City") is seeking proposals from qualified executive search and recruitment firms to assist in the identification, recruitment, and selection of a highly qualified Community Development Director.

The City is a municipal government serving a population of approximately 34,000 in Foster City within San Mateo County. Our mission is dedicated to providing excellence in service to our community in a positive and caring manner. The Community Development Director plays a critical leadership role in advancing our strategic goals related to housing, economic development, land use planning, and community engagement.

The current vacancy arises due to the promotion of the incumbent. We are seeking a professional search firm with demonstrated experience in public sector or nonprofit executive recruitment.

Submission Instructions:

Electronic submissions preferred
Submit to Dawud Brewster via email to dbrewer@fostercity.org with subject line: "RFP Response — Community Development Director Search"
File format: Single PDF document, clearly named: [FirmName]_CDD_RFP_Response.pdf

Deadline:

Questions - June 9, 2026, 5:00 PM PST
City Response to Written Inquiries Due - June 10, 2026
Proposals Due - June 12, 2026, by 5:00 PM PST

Supporting Documents

Request for Proposals (127 KB)

Attachment Preview

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Executive Recruitment Services

Community Development Director

Issuing Organization:

RFP Title:

Issue Date:

Proposal Due Date:

Contract Start Date:

Contact Person:

Contact Email:

Contact Phone:

City of Foster City

Executive Recruitment — Community Development Director

May 28, 2026

June 12, 2026, by 5:00 PM PST

July 6, 2026

Dawud Brewer, Human Resources Manager

dbrewer@fostercity.org

650-286-3221

1. Introduction & Background

City of Foster City (the "City") is seeking proposals from qualified executive search and

recruitment firms to assist in the identification, recruitment, and selection of a highly qualified

Community Development Director.

The City is a municipal government serving a population of approximately 34,000 in Foster City

within San Mateo County. Our mission is dedicated to providing excellence in service to our

community in a positive and caring manner. The Community Development Director plays a

critical leadership role in advancing our strategic goals related to housing, economic

development, land use planning, and community engagement.

The current vacancy arises due to the promotion of the incumbent. We are seeking a

professional search firm with demonstrated experience in public sector or nonprofit executive

recruitment.

2. Scope of Work

The selected firm shall provide a comprehensive executive search process that includes, but is

not limited to, the following services:

2.1 Position Profile Development

• Conduct stakeholder interviews with city representatives

• Develop a comprehensive position profile including ideal candidate attributes, key

competencies, and compensation benchmarking

• Present profile for city review and approval prior to launch

2.2 Candidate Sourcing & Outreach

• Design and execute a broad national or regional recruitment campaign

• Actively recruit passive candidates through professional networks and direct outreach

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL | Community Development Director — Executive Recruitment

Services

• Advertise the position across relevant professional associations, job boards, and

diversity-focused channels

• Maintain confidentiality of all applicants throughout the process

2.3 Screening & Assessment

• Review all applications and conduct preliminary screening interviews

• Prepare and present a shortlist of 5–8 qualified semifinalists

• Conduct in-depth interviews and professional reference checks on semifinalists

• Administer applicable skills assessments or leadership evaluations as appropriate

• Perform background verification in compliance with applicable laws

2.4 Finalist Presentation & Selection Support

• Present a final slate of 3–5 candidates with comprehensive written profiles

• Coordinate finalist interviews, community forums, or assessment centers as requested

• Provide interview guides, evaluation tools, and structured deliberation support

• Assist with offer negotiations and onboarding transition planning

2.5 Post-Placement Guarantee

• Provide a minimum 12-month placement guarantee; if the selected candidate leaves or

is terminated within the guarantee period, the firm will conduct a replacement search at

no additional professional fee

3. Proposal Requirements

Proposals must be submitted in electronic format (PDF) and shall include all of the following:

3.1 Firm Qualifications

• Firm overview, history, size, and organizational structure

• Résumés of key personnel assigned to this engagement

• Minimum of five (5) comparable executive search engagements completed within the

past five years, with client references

• Evidence of experience recruiting for community development, planning, or public sector

leadership roles

• Statement of any potential conflicts of interest

3.2 Technical Approach

• Detailed description of the proposed search process, methodology, and timeline

• Outreach and sourcing strategy, including diversity and inclusion practices

• Screening, assessment, and evaluation tools to be used

• Communication protocols and reporting to the City throughout the process

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL | Community Development Director — Executive Recruitment

Services

3.3 Project Timeline

• Proposed project schedule from kick-off through placement, including key milestones

• Estimated time to present a qualified candidate slate

3.4 Fee Structure

• All-inclusive professional fee and payment schedule

• Itemized list of any expenses to be billed separately (travel, advertising, assessments,

etc.)

• Fee structure for the post-placement replacement guarantee

3.5 References

• Three (3) to five (5) professional client references from comparable searches

• Reference contact information including name, title, organization, phone, and email

4. Submission Instructions

Proposals must be received no later than the date and time specified on the cover page. Late

proposals will not be considered.

4.1 Submission Method

• Electronic submissions preferred; submit via email to dbrewer@fostercity.org with

subject line: "RFP Response — Community Development Director Search"

• File format: Single PDF document, clearly named:

[FirmName]_CDD_RFP_Response.pdf

4.2 Questions & Clarifications

• All questions must be submitted in writing by email to the contact person listed on the

cover page

• Questions deadline: June 9, 2026, 5:00 PM PST

• Responses to all questions will be posted and distributed to all known proposers by June

10, 2026.

• No verbal inquiries will be accepted or considered binding

5. Terms & Conditions

5.1 Reservation of Rights

The City reserves the right to: (a) reject any or all proposals; (b) waive informalities or

irregularities in proposals; (c) accept the proposal most advantageous to the City; (d) negotiate

with any or all proposers; and (e) cancel this RFP at any time without obligation.

5.2 Confidentiality

All proposals become the property of the City. The City will make reasonable efforts to protect

proprietary information identified as such by the proposer, subject to applicable public records

law.

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL | Community Development Director — Executive Recruitment

Services

5.3 Costs of Proposal

The City shall not be liable for any costs incurred by proposers in responding to this RFP,

including costs of preparation, presentation, or negotiation.

5.4 Equal Opportunity

The City is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to working with firms that reflect the

diversity of the communities we serve. Minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged

business enterprises are encouraged to respond.

5.5 Contract

The selected firm will be required to enter into a professional services agreement with the City.

The City's standard contract terms apply. The firm must maintain professional liability and

general liability insurance in amounts specified by the City.

6. Anticipated Timeline

Milestone

RFP issued

Deadline for written questions

Addendum/answers issued

Proposal submission deadline

Proposals reviewed and scored

Finalist firm interviews (if applicable)

Firm selection and contract award

Contract execution and project kick-off

Candidate slate presented

Target hire date

Target Date

May 28, 2026

June 9, 2026

June 10, 2026

June 12, 2026

June 19, 2026

June 26, 2026

June 26, 2026

August 3, 2026

September 8, 2026

Page 4 of 4

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541611Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
• NAICS 611430Professional and Management Development Training

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