CIO Executive Recruiters

Building Technology Leadership That Drives Competitive Advantage

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Choosing the right CIO search firm can define the future of your organization. At Wray Executive Search, we specialize in CEO recruitment for restaurant, hospitality, and franchise companies—industries where visionary leadership directly impacts brand equity, team culture, and long-term performance.

As a nationally respected CIO search firm for over 50 years, Wray helps Boards, founders, and private equity stakeholders identify and secure executive leadership that delivers lasting value. From first-time CIO appointments to multi-brand succession strategies, our mission is to connect clients with high-impact leaders ready to scale.

A Legacy of Building Leaders

The CIO Role Has Never Been More Critical

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The CIO of today must:

  • Lead enterprise-wide digital transformation

  • Balance innovation with risk management and compliance

  • Ensure data integrity, security, and governance

  • Partner with the C-suite to align technology with revenue growth

  • Recruit and retain high-performing technology teams

With these expectations, the cost of a mis-hire is steep. Wray Executive Search reduces that risk by combining rigorous assessments, national reach, and deep industry insight.

Trusted by the top restaurant, hospitality, food service, & franchises in the world

The Wray Advantage
A Proven Process Backed by Industry Insight

Unlike typical CIO recruiting firms, we bring decades of vertical expertise. Our process is designed to uncover not just skillsets but character—identifying leaders with the gravitas, executive presence, and alignment required to inspire teams and navigate complexity.

6 Points of Distinction

  • Our Leadership

    Our leading consultants bring substantial senior-level experience.

  • Wide Scope

    Wray Executive Search offers a wide scope of industry knowledge and experience. We provide a wide array of services and have an extensive network in these arenas.

  • Impactful Expertise

    The cross-functional, wide-reaching expertise our company provides can have a deep impact on your business. We serve client needs internationally, nationally, regionally and locally.

  • Unique Guarantees

    We offer a full one-year replacement guarantee ensuring that our candidates will bring value long term. If, for some reason, the hired candidate does not work out, we will find a replacement.

  • Diverse Consultants

    Our consultants bring varied experience from all segments of the industry. We offer broad-based, cross-functional expertise to enhance our partnership.

  • Competitive, Comprehensive Rates

    There are no surprises when it comes to our fees. We maintain highly competitive performance-based rates founded upon our robust executive search record.

Our Team

Get in Touch

If you're looking to hire a position at your company, submit the form and we will be in touch with you shortly.

Our unmatched industry expertise and connections to top-tier talent set us apart as a trusted partner in your search for excellence.

If you are looking to be considered for opportunities, go to our candidate page and submit your resume.

The Role of a CIO Headhunter in Strategic Growth

When navigating a CIO transition, many companies turn to a CIO headhunter to avoid costly missteps. At Wray Executive Search, our strategy goes far beyond technical skills and certifications. We assess:

  • Cultural alignment with leadership teams and Boards

  • Experience driving digital transformation and innovation

  • Expertise in cybersecurity, compliance, and data governance

  • Ability to scale technology to support rapid growth or turnaround scenarios

  • Communication style and executive presence

We ensure each candidate has the business acumen and technology vision to lead from day one.

When to Engage a CIO Search Firm

Clients often turn to Wray’s CIO executive recruiters when:

  • Planning succession for a retiring or promoted technology leader

  • Scaling rapidly with investor or PE backing

  • Transitioning through M&A, integration, or global expansion

  • Facing cultural or performance challenges that require fresh leadership

  • Advancing digital, data, or AI-driven strategies

Our clients range from billion-dollar legacy brands to rising concepts adding their first enterprise CIO. No matter the stage, we bring a tailored approach backed by data, relationships, and results.

CIO Executive Search Tailored to Your Business Model

Every brand is unique—and so is every CIO search. That’s why Wray is recognized as a leading CIO executive search firm for organizations that value a consultative, high-touch approach. We ask the right questions, challenge assumptions, and stay laser-focused on long-term fit.

With deep relationships across restaurant, hospitality, franchise, and foodservice industries, we bring forward:

  • Technology leaders from top global brands

  • CIOs who’ve scaled systems, navigated enterprise transformation, or led digital-first strategies

  • Executives with cross-functional expertise in IT, finance, operations, marketing, and innovation

Trusted by Boards, Founders, and Investors Alike

Whether you’re a founder seeking a successor, a Board driving digital transformation, or a PE firm assembling a new technology team, Wray is the CIO search firm that brings focus, integrity, and partnership to every engagement.

We understand the balance of urgency and precision. Our clients appreciate:

  • Confidentiality and discretion

  • A rigorous yet collaborative search process

  • Honest counsel and real-time market intelligence

  • Deep understanding of technology leadership dynamics in fast-moving industries

CIO Recruiting That Drives Real Business Results

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all hiring. Our CIO recruiting firm approach is bespoke—delivering leaders who can:

  • Modernize enterprise systems and operations

  • Strengthen cybersecurity and protect brand trust

  • Drive digital innovation and new revenue models

  • Align technology with long-term strategy and stakeholder goals

  • Build and inspire high-performing IT organizations

It’s not just about hiring a CIO. It’s about hiring the right CIO.

The Wray Difference in CIO Executive Search

There’s a reason we’ve earned the trust of the most respected names in hospitality, restaurant, and franchise leadership. As your partner in CIO executive search, we bring the insight, access, and integrity that high-stakes hiring demands.

  • We prioritize strategic alignment over speed

  • We vet for vision and character as much as capability

  • We champion your brand and mission in every interaction

Let’s Find the CIO Who Will Lead Your Future

Wray Executive Search is more than a CIO search firm. We’re your advisor, your advocate, and your partner in leadership transformation.

Let’s build your next chapter—starting with technology leadership. Schedule a conversation with our senior partners today.