Florida State Sets 175000 Dollar Fee for Two Executive Searches

Florida State University has agreed to pay Atlanta-based Parker Executive Search $175,000 in professional fees to recruit a new athletic director and head football coach. The agreements, signed by university vice president for finance and administration Kyle Clark on October 30 and November 2, outline the costs, responsibilities and timelines for both searches.

According to contracts obtained by Noles247 through a public records request, the university allocated $100,000 for the athletic director search and $75,000 for the football coaching position. These amounts cover professional fees only and exclude reimbursable expenses.

Parker's standard compensation is 30 percent of a successful candidate's first-year total cash compensation, subject to a $60,000 minimum. However, Florida State negotiated fixed fees for both assignments.

The contracts establish payment in three equal installments at the beginning of the search and 30 and 60 days afterward.

Each agreement estimates out-of-pocket expenses at no more than 10 percent of the applicable professional fee. Advertising, background checks, committee interviews, travel and candidate transportation are excluded and will be charged separately with supporting documentation.

The agreements also allow additional compensation if Florida State requests Parker to restart or expand either search. Any additional fee must be negotiated in advance.

For payment scheduling, the contracts state that fees are billed "in three equal increments at the beginning of the search and 30 and 60 days thereafter."

Parker will coordinate with university leadership, develop job specifications, establish recruitment schedules, advertise openings and approach potential candidates. Its responsibilities also include research, candidate screening, interview arrangements and preparation for selection committees.

The firm will participate in compensation discussions when necessary, but the final hiring decision remains with the university.

The agreement specifies that Parker will assist with "salary and benefit negotiations, when appropriate" as part of its recruitment services.

However, the search firm has no authority to determine the successful candidate. The contract explicitly states that Parker "does not have a vote in the final selection process."

The athletic director proposal includes a projected 30-day recruitment schedule. Parker is expected to submit eight to 10 recommended candidates on day 18, followed by initial committee interviews through Zoom on days 22 and 23.

Florida State would then interview three or four finalists on campus on days 28 and 29. University President Richard McCullough is scheduled to announce the appointment on day 30 under the proposed timeline.

The contract emphasizes that the schedule is "directed by Florida State University," leaving the university in control of the actual recruitment timetable. No specific starting date appears in the agreement, while the football coaching contract contains no comparable day-by-day schedule.

Parker also offers a replacement search without additional professional fees if a successful candidate resigns, is dismissed or becomes unable to perform within 18 months of the starting date. Florida State would remain responsible for out-of-pocket expenses.

The guarantee provides that Parker will conduct another search "at no additional fee (billing only out-of-pocket expenses)."

In its Schedule A guarantee provisions, the firm commits to "make every possible effort to present FSU with the best candidates," while specifying that candidates "must be candidates with established records of excellence in their field."

Nevertheless, Parker limits its responsibility for the accuracy of information obtained during recruitment. The agreement states that "it is not possible to assure the accuracy of the information" and provides "no warranties or representations, express or implied."

Florida State retains the right to discontinue either search. The fee letters require prorated payment plus expenses if the university ends an assignment within its first three months. After 90 days, the full professional fee and expenses become payable under those provisions.

Separately, the master agreement permits termination "for any reason, including convenience, upon thirty (30) days prior written notice without penalty or cause," with payment limited to services completed before termination takes effect. The master agreement takes precedence if its provisions conflict with the individual proposals.