Caveat: I'm no pro and I've only had a few conversations with pros and semi-pros (mostly bonspiels when we got spanked in the first game or two).
A skip or aspiring skip "sends out feelers" (plays with folks or gets to know them after watching, small world and all) and recruits for positions and/or specific people they think will bring the right mix. The team "changes" when the skip does.
FWIW: many front end players at the top are also experienced skips at other levels.