Essendon is searching for its third chief executive in 40 days after the bombshell resignation of Andrew Thorburn just one day after he was appointed, following revelations he was also chairman of a church organisation with controversial views on abortion and homosexuality.

Julie Colvin, a managing partner at Derwent Search, which specialises in high level recruitment and is the largest firm in Australia for board and executive appointments, says the cause of concern here is the fact it is a very public role.

She told Mornings host Liam Bartlett due diligence should have been taken at the interview process, such as what other commitments or leadership positions did Thorburn hold.

"Certainly a Christian can still take on a role as a chief executive," she said, before adding it was whether they could align with the values of that organisation.