WittKieffer Adds Interim Leadership Services to Education Practice 

August 25, 2020 – Executive search firm WittKieffer has expanded its interim leadership practice into the field of higher education. The practice, first launched in 2018 to provide interim leaders to the firm’s healthcare industry clients, will now also serve clients in academia that are seeking temporary executives to ensure leadership continuity in these difficult times, the firm said.

“Interim executives have become a valuable resource for colleges and universities to tap during the uncertain environment produced by the pandemic,” said Andrew Chastain, president and CEO of WittKieffer. “By formally expanding our interim leadership practice into education, WittKieffer offers our academic clients an adaptive and responsive executive talent strategy that takes advantage of both permanent and interim placements.”

“Academic institutions are looking to interim leaders to help them navigate increasingly complex organizational challenges when vacancies occur,” said Zach Smith, managing partner of WittKieffer’s education practice. “In addition, the interim can assess and refine the role and lay a foundation for the success of an eventual permanent hire.”

“By filling an immediate operational need, interim executives provide institutions valuable time to assess an open or newly created position while also maintaining focus on broader strategic decisions that may impact students, faculty and staff,” WittKieffer said. “Interim leaders also help organizations to maintain momentum with ongoing projects and initiatives – especially those addressing changes taking place due to the coronavirus pandemic.”

WittKieffer’s higher education interim services are overseen by Brian Krehbiel, managing partner and head of the interim leadership practice, along with Robert Luke, consultant in education and interim leadership.

“I am thrilled to help lead the expansion of our interim services into higher education, especially at a time when the long-term continuity, flexibility and strength of leadership teams is essential,” said Mr. Krehbiel. “Through established relationships with senior-level interim leaders who have extensive experience within respected colleges and universities, WittKieffer is able to provide unparalleled service and exceptional quality.”

WittKieffer’s new services in education will initially support the placement of interim presidents, provosts, academic deans, CFOs, CHROs, advancement officers and enrollment management leaders. Clients may also request support for interim placement of other senior-level roles.

Seasoned Search Consultants

WittKieffer, based in Oak Brook, IL, assists hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, medical schools and physician groups; biotech, pharmaceutical, diagnostics and medical device companies; colleges and universities and not-for-profit community service and cultural organizations with senior administrative recruiting assignments. With more than 100 search professionals nationwide, its consultants recruit CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CNOs, physician executives and other leaders.

WittKieffer recently added former Stony Brook University vice president Greg Duyck as a principal in its education practice. “We are very excited to bring Greg’s energy and success in executive recruitment to WittKieffer,” said Zachary Smith, managing partner of WittKieffer’s education practice. “His administrative experience with colleges and universities as well as a broad mix of other organizations gives him unique insight into today’s executive talent challenges. He will serve the evolving needs of our clients well and be an integral part of our expanding consulting team.”

WittKieffer’s education recruitment team identifies higher education and college preparatory school leaders who understand complex issues facing both public and private institutions: resource constraints, shifting national policy and increased scrutiny by boards, faculty, students and families. The education roles it recruits include presidents, provosts, deans, and officers for business and finance, advancement and development, student affairs, enrollment, IT and more.

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media