Diversified Search Group Tapped by Quinnipiac University to Assist in CIO Search

April 12, 2021 – Diversified Search Group has been selected by Quinnipiac University to lead its search for a new chief information officer. The search firm is seeking an experienced CIO to lead the university in a broad array of technology management initiatives, including oversight of multi-faceted, multi-operational infrastructures and systems. The successful candidate will be a visionary who is well-versed in a variety of information technology disciplines, is a big picture thinker, and can provide guidance to the organization regarding all IT systems to support and align with the university’s goals and strategic objectives. Quinnipiac is looking for a CIO that is a thought leader with a holistic approach to strategy development who values innovation and effectively communicates strategic direction.

The CIO will promote and enable IT services that support innovation and exploration and balance nimble and agile operations with highly reliable, available, and secure capabilities, according to Diversified Search Group. The CIO will be expected to provide the leadership to optimize data and information to support academic and university strategic priorities. The position also requires working with colleagues to operate and improve IT governance, decision-making and advisory mechanisms to ensure information technology is a strategic asset. The CIO must be a leader of innovation while simultaneously fostering a culture of effective and efficient management, operations, and use of IT resources. This position also calls for developing clear criteria for determining information technologies and technology services that can be shared across the university to achieve enhanced service, security, efficiency, communications and innovation.

Diversified Search Group is looking for candidates with a minimum of 10 years of experience managing and supporting information technology operations including ERM, ERP, digital transformation, and other enterprise business applications. At least seven years of this experience should be as a CIO or in a senior IT management position with a demonstrated track record of leadership and technological innovation. Candidates should also have expansive, broad understanding of the landscape of platforms and software packages, including Google, Microsoft, various hardware, software, security, network and systems administration, and other cloud-based business applications.

Quinnipiac is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian institution located in Hamden, CT. The university enrolls 7,000 full-time undergraduate and 3,000 graduate and part-time students in 100-degree programs through its schools of business, communications, education, engineering, health sciences, law, medicine, nursing and college of arts and sciences.

Diversified Search Group is a family of search firms serving specialized sectors. The firm was founded almost five decades ago by Judith von Seldeneck for the express purpose of placing diverse candidates in client organizations. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Diversified Search is the largest U.S. female-owned and founded firm in the executive recruitment industry.

CIO Recruiting

The chief information officer is considered among the most strategic roles in any organization. Executive search consultants who specialize in recruiting for the position say that the best CIOs can dramatically differentiate a company in the market, while a poorly performing one can be an organization’s weakest link. Still, headhunting within the function remains challenging, and skilled C-suite IT professionals are among the toughest to find.

Over the past year, a number of organizations have turned to executive search firms to help them find top flight CIOs. Here are a few of the top assignments tracked by Hunt Scanlon Media:

Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull placed Drew Manning as chief information officer of KeyPoint Credit Union. The assignment was led by president Brandon Biegenzahn, vice president Michelle Davis, and senior executive recruiter Courtney Dorrel. “Drew is passionate about building alignment between the business units and the technology department,” said Brad Canfield, president and CEO of KeyPoint. “With our focus on building a leading-edge digital experience, his knowledge and experience will help KeyPoint grow and better service our members.”

Acertitude assisted in the placement of Julie Rafferty as chief information officer for private equity-backed Turkey Hill, the fourth largest-selling premium ice cream brand. Co-founder and managing partner Rick DeRose and principal Jessica Tvelia led the assignment. The search was completed in just 76 days. Ms. Rafferty brings a demonstrated track-record working for diverse, global fast-moving consumer goods organizations. Most recently, she served as the chief information officer of Pinnacle Foods.

Brentwood, TN-based search firm The Human Capital Group | a Gallagher Company placed Dolores Quezada-Mears as CIO at Hensel Phelps in Greeley, CO. “Our client has reinforced that they are thrilled with the process and outcome,” said Steve Hayes, senior managing director. “We presented a slate of vetted finalists within 20 business days, as guaranteed, and the executive team hired Dolores from that initial slate. She is a great addition to the Hensel Phelps team!” Ms. Quezada-Mears has spent the past 10 years serving in executive IT leadership roles at CRH Building Materials in Atlanta.