Diversity Recruiting in the C-suite

Merraine Group® is proud to be listed as the fifth-largest executive search firm for both contingent and retained placements in Modern Healthcare’s recently released Executive Search Firms Survey. As a women-owned business, that puts us in a unique position for analysis of the current C-suite executive landscape.  

Modern Healthcare’s survey makes a few trends clear when it comes to diversity and inclusion in the C-suite executive space. The main takeaway is this: as time moves on, demand will only continue to grow for Chief Diversity Officer placements in the healthcare world, and that presents a key opportunity – and responsibility – for healthcare recruiters.  

Demand for Chief Diversity Officers is growing. 

According to Modern Healthcare’s survey, recruiting firms are divided on the most in-demand position for C-suite placements. However, 31% of respondents said that the Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) is the fastest-growing demand in recent searches. To put it simply: more and more healthcare organizations are looking for CDOs, and they’ll be relying on the skills of healthcare recruiters to find those individuals.  

In healthcare, it’s about education.  

CEO of Merraine Group®, David Gantshar, says that while diversity recruiting efforts have ramped up recently, plenty of healthcare systems aren’t up to par when it comes to these initiatives. Health systems are sometimes slow to establish a role for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Even when they do, says Gantshar, the position isn’t necessarily understood by the organization’s stakeholders.  

That’s why education is so important, right alongside recruitment itself. When a partnership is formed with the communities the healthcare systems serve, all parties can understand and appreciate the role that diversity and inclusion plays. 

Certain qualities are expected of a Diversity Officer. 

The Modern Healthcare survey also presents interesting insights into what qualities people are looking for out of a CDO. Among the most-requested traits in CDO searches are cultural intelligence, community involvement, strategic planning capabilities, and skills to measure key performance indicators (KPIs) for the organization. A law degree was also preferred in some searches. This information is invaluable for recruiters looking to place high-level C-suite executives like CDOs.  

Merraine Group® can help your organization with diversity recruiting. 

Need help with diversity recruiting? Merraine Group® can help. Remember: our women-owned organization is listed as the fifth-largest executive search firm in the Modern Healthcare survey for both contingent and retained placements. If your company needs to hire a Chief Diversity Officer or another C-suite executive, trust the proven leader in healthcare executive recruitment.  

Contact the recruiting experts at Merraine Group® today to get started.