How to hire a senior leader

How to hire a senior leader, step by step

Here's a step-by-step senior leader hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a senior leader job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new senior leader
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a senior leader do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your senior leader job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a senior leader for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A senior leader's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, senior leaders from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of senior leader salaries for various roles:

   Type of Senior Leader	Description	Hourly rate
   Senior Leader	Computer systems analysts study an organization’s current computer systems and procedures and design information systems solutions to help the organization operate more efficiently and effectively. They bring business and information technology (IT) together by understanding the needs and limitations of both.	$38-77
   Quality Assurance Team Leader	A quality assurance (QA) team leader is a professional who is responsible for managing a team of engineers from the quality assurance department of an organization to participate in the overall QA planning and activities. QA team leaders are required to play the key role as a member of the project management team to ensure that the product exceeded user expectations... Show more	$36-60
   Project Manager & Leader	A project manager leader is responsible for monitoring the overall project management and staff operations, ensuring the efficiency and accuracy of project deliverables to meet the client's requirements, and achieving the highest customer satisfaction. Project managers/leaders implement strategic procedures to minimize costs while maximizing operational productivity... Show more	$35-66

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Java
   • Project Management
   • Architecture
   • Customer Service
   • C++
   • C #
   • Patients
   • Azure
   • Windows
   • JavaScript
   • Cloud Computing
   • HR
   • Emerging Technologies
   • Client Facing

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Create and execute Unix shell scripts to automate execution of ETL processes.
   • Manage a team of developers to migrate existing PowerBuilder 8.0 pfc-base application to J2EE.
   • Manage development staff to see completion of web development projects in a PHP environment.
   • Manage and produce PowerPoint and HTML course development from content delivery to upload on time.
   • Work with various app support team while patching and manage all UNIX / Linux servers.
   • Manage referential data stores for ids, printers and access within UNIX and Linux environment.

   More senior leader duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your senior leader job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A senior leader salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, senior leaders' average salary in oklahoma is 37% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level senior leaders earn 51% less than senior-level senior leaders.
   • Certifications. A senior leader with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a senior leader's salary.

   Average senior leader salary

   $114,328yearly

   $54.97 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level senior leader salary

   $80,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 29, 2025

   Average senior leader salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$136,131	$65
   2	Washington	$125,589	$60
   3	New York	$117,728	$57
   4	District of Columbia	$115,385	$55
   5	Massachusetts	$113,255	$54
   6	Arizona	$110,237	$53
   7	New Jersey	$108,662	$52
   8	Virginia	$105,952	$51
   9	Pennsylvania	$103,312	$50
   10	Connecticut	$103,278	$50
   11	Oregon	$103,016	$50
   12	Minnesota	$102,701	$49
   13	Illinois	$100,779	$48
   14	Texas	$100,558	$48
   15	North Carolina	$99,593	$48
   16	Ohio	$98,996	$48
   17	Georgia	$93,431	$45
   18	Colorado	$93,045	$45
   19	Missouri	$92,086	$44
   20	Michigan	$91,557	$44

   Average senior leader salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Airbnb	$196,508	$94.47	1
   2	Google	$182,621	$87.80	248
   3	Current TV	$177,152	$85.17	7
   4	McKinsey & Company Inc	$175,408	$84.33	29
   5	eBay	$175,107	$84.19	7
   6	Apple	$170,005	$81.73	155
   7	Cheniere Energy	$165,894	$79.76	2
   8	Xandr	$164,514	$79.09
   9	Pinterest	$163,198	$78.46	2
   10	ZS	$162,719	$78.23	3
   11	Microsoft	$162,368	$78.06	333
   12	Databricks	$161,328	$77.56	30
   13	Square	$160,627	$77.22
   14	PAX Labs	$160,565	$77.19
   15	Amazon	$158,692	$76.29	319
   16	Trulia	$156,119	$75.06
   17	DocuSign	$155,400	$74.71	10
   18	Foundation Medicine	$155,375	$74.70
   19	Rivian	$155,255	$74.64	8
   20	Nutanix	$155,139	$74.59	59

4. Writing a senior leader job description

   A good senior leader job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a senior leader job description:

   Senior leader job description example

   BAE Systems is seeking a senior engineering leader for the Controls & Avionics Solutions (CAS) expansion in Austin. This person must be a self-starter with strong communication and organizational leadership skills.
   
   The role will be responsible for the execution of a portfolio of projects, discipline leadership and oversight of the engineering CAS expansion in Austin.
   
   The individual will report to the US-Controls Business Area Engineering Director and will be based out of the Austin location. The US-Controls engineering organization provides controls and power technical knowhow to deliver high integrity controls, cabin and avionic controls, and power generation and control capabilities. The organization includes engineers in Endicott NY, Fort Wayne IN, Los Angeles CA, Seattle WA and Austin TX.
   
   Our flexible work environment provides you a chance to change the world without giving up your personal life
   Responsibilities will flex with business needs and includes, but are not to be limited to:
   Accountable to meet the overall cost, schedule and technical performance of the integrated engineering teams for all CAS projects executed in Austin Neutral representation of all engineering design disciplines while integrating them to meet the needs of the business Engineering staffing lead for people resource planning and resource acquisition for CAS expansion in Austin Talent development champion for recruiting, hiring, training, retention and development of the Austin engineering organization - balancing employee career aspirations with business needs and resources Work borderlessly to solve problems, secure resources and ensure a culture of affordability, innovation, diversity and inclusion Perform supervisory duties in alignment with the business , administering communication, performance compensation and recognition in alignment with the business needs, values and budgets Collaborate with and support peer engineering leaders on US-Controls staff with various organizational operations and process improvement initiatives
   Required Education, Experience, & Skills
   Bachelor's Degree or equivalent and 12+ years related experience (Master's Degree Preferred) Proven ability to lead a diverse teams across multiple sites with different cultures and experience levels Ability to define, develop and maintain critical skills in support of business needs Proven ability to establish relationships and build trust with key stakeholders and customers Extensive technical leadership experience and mission/domain knowledge developing control systems relevant to business area products and systems Proven ability to share and transfer technology and know-how across organizational boundaries Practical understanding of Program Management, Product Development, Systems Engineering, SW Engineering, HW Engineering and DoD and Civil product development lifecycles Proven performance in management, mentoring, coaching and communication Demonstrated critical thinking skills and decision-making ability Business acumen and project leadership skills
   Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
   Master's Degree and 10+ years of engineering/management experience Proven track record of increasing responsibilities in managing teams of significant complexity
   About BAE Systems Electronic Systems
   BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference. Electronic Systems (ES) is the global innovator behind BAE Systems' game-changing defense and commercial electronics. Exploiting every electron, we push the limits of what is possible, giving our customers the edge and our employees opportunities to change the world. Our products and capabilities can be found everywhere - from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space. At our core are more than 14,000 highly talented Electronic Systems employees with the brightest minds in the industry, we make an impact - for our customers and the communities we serve.
   
   Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
   At BAE Systems, we work hard every day to nurture an inclusive culture where employees are valued and feel like they belong. We are conscious of the need for all employees to see themselves reflected at every level of the company and know that in order to unlock the full potential of our workforce, everyone must feel confident being their best, most sincere self and be equipped to thrive. We provide impactful professional development experiences to our employees and invest in social impact partnerships to uplift communities and drive purposeful change. Here you will find significant opportunities to do meaningful work in an environment intentionally designed to be one where you will learn, grow and belong.

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5. Post your job

   To find senior leaders for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any senior leaders they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level senior leaders with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your senior leader job on Zippia to find and recruit senior leader candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting senior leaders requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   Sometimes, it's not enough to interview senior leader candidates, so you can ask them to do a test project. If you are not a technical person and don't know what a test project should be, you can use these websites:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new senior leader

   Once you've selected the best senior leader candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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