ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: February 28, 2000
Author/Local: Estelle Lo/7610

RTS Number: 01319

CC File No. 1370

Council: March 7, 2000

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	General Manager, Corporate Services Group
SUBJECT:	Recruitment : Director of Information Technology

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council appoint Ray & Berndtson /Tanton Mitchell to undertake a national search to recruit the Director of Information Technology. Source of funding was already approved by Council on July 27, 1999.

COUNCIL POLICY

Council approval is required for appointment of consultant contracts exceeding $30,000.

PURPOSE

This report seeks Council approval to appoint Ray & Berndtson/Tanton Mitchell to undertake a national search for the Director of Information Technology for the City of Vancouver.

BACKGROUND

The Director of Information Technology resigned in July,1999 and relocated to United States. An interim Director was appointed until a new Director is recruited.

On July 27, 1999 Council approved a report recommending the hiring of an executive search firm to recruit for the Director of Information Technology at an estimated cost of $50,000 (plus applicable taxes). Cost to cover search fees, advertisement, consultant travel and general support expenses.

DISCUSSION

The Director of Information Technology position is technical and highly specialized in nature. Given the strategic and tactical senior management role that the Director of Information Technology plays in the organization, it is appropriate to undertake a comprehensive search for a replacement.

After Council's approval of the hiring of an executive search firm in July, 1999, expressions of interest were sought from eight executive recruitment firms to conduct a search for Director of Information Technology. The extensiveness of the process and other operational commitments have resulted in us only now being able to finalize the successful appointment of the search firm.

Criteria for evaluating submissions included: municipal sector experience; experience in recruiting senior information technology management positions, both in the public and private sectors; qualifications of the consulting team and research resources; reputation for successful searches, both internally and externally; ability to access candidates on a nation-wide basis; an understanding of the corporate culture and the City of Vancouver, thoroughness of the search process; fees and guarantee.

CONCLUSION

Based on the evaluation, it is recommended that Council appoint the firm of Ray & Berndtson/Tanton Mitchell to undertake a national search to recruit the Director of Information Technology at a search fee of $26,325 plus applicable taxes. There will also be additional costs, including applicable taxes, for advertisement, consultant travel and general support expenses billed at cost and subject to the city's approval. The source of funding for this assignment has been approved by Council on July 27, 1999.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver