A NATIONWIDE search is set to begin for a new CEO for the Southern Downs Regional Council, following the departure of former council boss Rod Ferguson.

Councillors this week and last met in confidential sessions to review tenders from recruitment companies to undertake the daunting task of finding a new CEO, with the typical salary range around the $150,000 to $200,000 mark.

A council spokeswoman yesterday confirmed Melbourne-based executive recruiters McArthur were the successful tenderers.

"The recruitment process will take about eight weeks and then whatever notice period the new chief executive needs to give," she said.

The spokeswoman said the cost of engaging McArthur was a "contractual matter".

It comes almost a month since former CEO Mr Ferguson was shown the door by the incoming council.

It is understood he avoided the ending of his contract at his annual review in the previous council term after a narrow vote of councillors.

It was rumoured in June he had given councillors an ultimatum about the renewal of his contract at the start of the new council's term, but had failed to secure a majority of their support.

Mayor Peter Blundell dismissed such suggestions, saying the council had "entered arrangements" to terminate Mr Ferguson's contract, a move that was "mutually accepted".

Cr Blundell praised Mr Ferguson's efforts in the first term of amalgamation but made it clear it was time for a culture change.

He said as well as finding a new CEO with "a fresh approach and a different skill set", the council would conduct a major review of its structure, with consultants Performance Frontiers awarded the task last term.