Recruitment of a permanent successor for former REC chief executive officer Marcia Roberts will begin this month.

REC board chairman Gary Irvine told Recruiter that three months after Roberts stepped down because of serious illness, a decision had been taken to fill the job on a permanent basis because "there is a strong desire to get the organisation back to where it needs to be - at the forefront of the industry".

Former Recruitment Industry Taskforce for Enterprise (RITE) executive director Helen Reynolds has been acting CEO.

A recruitment panel has been set up to handle the quest to find a CEO. "We have finished the job description and the person specification," Irvine said last week. "We're looking for a leader," he said. "Someone who has leadership skills, who can speak strongly on behalf of the industry to government and the press, with a proven record on working on important policy."

Other key qualities and characteristics needed in the new CEO are "integrity, a sound business mind, aspirational and inspirational qualities, and someone who really wants to take this organisation to the next level", Irvine said.

The position will be advertised in the national press, probably from the week commencing 9 September. Irvine said he expected a deadline for applications to be set for three or four weeks later. At the time of going to press, a decision had not been made whether to advertise a specific salary, but Irvine said a six-figure salary will be part of the remuneration package.

In addition to the direct advertisements, the REC recruitment panel will work with several search firms "on a contingent basis", Irvine said, although no formal search will be conducted.

Roberts, who is still seriously ill, is aware of the plans to recruit her successor, Irvine said.

Irvine said that Reynolds, the acting CEO, was doing "a good job". She confirmed to Recruiter that she intends to apply for the permanent job.