Associate, Technology & Digital Officer; TDO Practice

Jan 22, 2026

SSI (U.S.) Inc. d/b/a Spencer Stuart

Spencer Stuart is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer: F/M/Disability/Vet/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.

Location: Chicago

Full/Part Time: Full time

Req : R4594

Associate – Technology & Digital Officer (TDO) Practice

The Associate will play a key role in solving clients' most critical senior technology needs, focusing on Chief Information Officer searches, and working across a wide range of industries. With exposure to a broad set of clients and leadership challenges, this Associate will help to identify and develop diverse candidate slates as an essential member of the search team. The role combines research, assessment, and relationship‑building skills to deliver extraordinary service and value to Spencer Stuart clients.

• Contribute actively to the start‑up phase of each search by participating in client kick‑off meetings with the Consultant and assisting in the development of the position specification, search strategy and target list of companies.
• Gather relevant information regarding the appropriate industries and target companies.
• Validate potential candidates through reference and source calls.
• Partner with the Consultant to develop and present a slate of qualified candidates to each client.
• Contribute to the preparation of position specifications, candidate presentations and reference reports adhering to the Firm's assessment methodology.
• Communicate effectively with the Consultant and Executive Assistant.
• Prepare organized information for client updates/meetings.
• Be aware of activities and management changes in the relevant function.
• Add to the firm's candidate pool expertise by continually identifying and introducing new talent to the firm.
• Contribute to responses to inquiries for new business, as well as business development initiatives.
• Be willing and proactive about contributing to local, practice or firm‑wide initiatives.

• 4+ years of progressive business experience in executive search, recruiting, strategy consulting, or a relevant professional services environment with significant time spent in client service.
• Advancement of skills and knowledge evidenced through promotion or tenure.
• Superior project management skills demonstrated through experience working in a high‑performance environment where multiple projects and competing demands are the norm.
• Excellent communication skills shown through clear, structured and concise written and verbal presentation.
• Undergraduate degree required, postgraduate degree a plus.

• Takes an end‑to‑end view of each project and the required resources; works at pace and with attention to detail while managing competing deadlines and priorities; has a sense of urgency.
• Understands the search process (from internal kick‑off to referencing); asks questions to understand; and is proactive.
• Works on multiple projects; meets deadlines and is resilient under pressure; delivers on commitments on time or notifies as early as possible if deadlines will slip.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm, tenacity and intellectual curiosity; action‑oriented; deals with problems immediately.
• Is results focused and flexible; demonstrates a strong work ethic.

• Observes and asks questions to fully understand the issue; synthesizes information from a variety of internal/external sources, despite possibly having ambiguous or incomplete information.
• Gathers relevant data from a variety of sources, including views gathered through Third Party Sourcing (TPS), to help determine broad capabilities, gaps, qualifications/fit; articulates reasons for fit to spec in a succinct manner.
• Determines priority of which potential candidates to approach.
• Adds meaningful notes on Quest, diligently uses the initial assessment feature.

• Communicates effectively both in writing and verbally; has executive presence and builds relationships.
• Interacts with a range of internal and external stakeholders and candidates with differing styles and egos, understanding and appreciating what is important to each.
• Adapts verbal and written communications according to expectations for role and audience.

• Obtains and incorporates knowledge to enhance client work in a meaningful way.
• Identifies executive movements in the market and updates