Jim Citrin leads Spencer Stuart’s CEO Practice and is a co-leader of the firm’s Board Practice. During his 25+ years with the firm, he has worked with clients on more than 850 CEO, board director and other top management searches and succession assignments. In addition, he served as a member of the firm’s Board of Directors for 20 years.

Extensive executive search and leadership expertise

  • Jim’s clients include world-leading media, technology, communications, consumer, industrial and healthcare companies, as well as other multinational corporations, financial services institutions, private-equity firms, venture capital firms, and educational and not-for-profit institutions.
  • A noted expert on leadership and professional success, Jim has authored eight books including bestsellers Leading at a Distance, released in 2021, The Career Playbook: Essential Advice for Today’s Aspiring Young Professional, You’re in Charge — Now What?, Lessons from the Top, The 5 Patterns of Extraordinary Careers, and You Need a Leader — Now What?, Jim has been widely interviewed, quoted and published in outlets including The Today Show, CNN, the BBC, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Financial Times, Harvard Business Review and The Times of London, among many others. Jim is also a LinkedIn Influencer with approximately one million followers, covering a range of leadership and career strategy topics.
  • Deeply experienced in governance, Jim has been named to the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Directorship 100, which recognizes the most influential leaders in corporate governance.
  • Prior to joining Spencer Stuart, Jim spent five years at McKinsey & Company, was an associate at Goldman, Sachs & Co. as well as an analyst at Morgan, Stanley & Company.

Jim graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Vassar College 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, earning first- and second-year honors and graduating with distinction. In addition, Jim served as a trustee and member of the Executive Committee of the Board at Wesleyan University for six years. He is currently a board member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, the global NGO Girl Effect and the Johnny Mac Tennis Project.

Practice Areas