August 21, 2000

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Technology Leadership: CIOs In Demand

By Peter Ruber

xecutive recruiters have more CIO job openings than they can fill, yet most CIOs aren't biting. In all, 70% of CIOs surveyed by InformationWeek say they've been approached by recruiters during the past 12 months, yet only 7% are actively looking to change jobs. Another 35% say they're "somewhat" looking--meaning they'll probably jump if the right opportunity comes along--and 58% say they're not looking.

Harris Miller, president of the Information Technology Association of America, an IT trade association, says most CIOs are content with their jobs. As companies have come to realize the importance of technology leadership--as demonstrated with the year 2000 problem and the growth of the Internet--CIOs have earned greater respect within their organizations. "The CIO position in many companies has been elevated to senior-management status. They're on a level playing field with CFOs and human resources directors, reporting to the CEO," he says.

For companies that are looking to recruit, the offer of lots of money doesn't necessarily secure the deal. Patrick Sylvester, managing director of Bannister International, an executive recruitment firm in Philadelphia, says CIOs are more likely to be lured by the promise of challenge and control over technology leadership. "They have a vision of what technology initiatives it takes to make a company successful," he says. "A job offer from a company that hasn't consistently invested in technology, no matter how big the compensation package, is a big turn-off. The CIO knows he's not going accomplish anything."

Companies also may have better luck if they can assure CIO candidates that they'll report to the CEOs. CIOs don't want to report to CFOs, says Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director at RHI Consulting. They want to know that executive management values the role of technology and places the CIO at a high level. Says Lee, "CIOs are very savvy. They're not going to work for just any company. They'll check out the management and IT culture very thoroughly."

Return to main story, "CIO Status Doesn't Guarantee A High Salary."

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