Jim Citrin

Jim Citrin co-leads Spencer Stuart’s North American Board & CEO Practice. During his 19 years with the firm, he has completed more than 500 CEO, Board Director, CFO and other top management searches. He also works with clients on CEO succession issues and served on the Spencer Stuart worldwide Board of Directors from 1999 to 2013.
Extensive executive search and leadership expertise:
• Jim’s clients include world-leading media, technology, communications and consumer companies, as well as other multinational corporations, financial services institutions, private-equity firms, and educational and not-for-profit institutions.
• A noted expert on leadership, governance and professional success, Jim was named to the 2012 National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Directorship 100, which recognizes the most influential leaders in corporate governance. Jim is also the author of many best-selling books, including The 5 Patterns of Extraordinary Careers and You’re in Charge — Now What?. His latest book, You Need a Leader — Now What?, is based on the groundbreaking Spencer Stuart CEO Transition Study, published in Harvard Business Review.
• Prior to joining Spencer Stuart, Jim spent five years at McKinsey & Company and was an associate at Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Jim graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Vassar College in 1981 and served as a Trustee on the school’s Board of Directors for 12 years, co-chairing the Nominating Committee. He received his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1986, earning first- and second-year honors and graduating with distinction. In addition, Jim is a Trustee and member of the Governance Committee at Wesleyan University, and serves as a Board member of the Cancer Research Institute, as well as the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.