Monster, HotJobs Announce C-Suite Moves

Two of the so-called Big Three job boards have announced major shifts in their corporate leadership.

Monster Worldwide CFO Lanny Baker is leaving the firm and will be replaced by Timothy Yates, according to a release issued Wednesday, June 6. Yates will oversee Monster’s accounting, tax, treasury, business development and investor relations operations. Baker is departing to pursue other career opportunities, a spokesman said.

Yahoo HotJobs is bidding farewell to general manager Dan Finnigan, it was announced Tuesday, June 5. Jeff Kinder will take his place as GM. Kinder will be based in the Sunnyvale, California, headquarters and takes over June 18, according to a company spokeswoman. He will report to Hilary Schneider, executive vice president for Yahoo’s local markets and commerce and publisher network divisions.

Finnigan is leaving HotJobs to pursue other interests, the spokeswoman noted.

Yates’ appointment isn’t the only C-suite news at Monster. The company has announced a major restructuring plan designed to simplify operations.

“This new operating structure will further realign the company and enable Monster to realize the growth opportunities before us,” said Sal Iannuzzi, chairman, CEO and president of Monster Worldwide. “We believe it will facilitate quality customer service while providing our associates with an environment that will encourage and foster success.”

A Monster spokesman declined to comment on whether the business play was initiated to make the company more appealing to potential suitors. Rumors have been rampant in recent weeks that a sale is imminent, with Google named among the potential buyers.

“We don’t comment on speculation,” the spokesman said.

The realignment consolidates key functions to bolster Monster’s ability to implement projects on a global platform. These areas include sales, technology, finance and human resources as well as product, marketing and customer services.

“The era of Sal Iannuzzi has begun,” the Monster spokesman said.

Some of the changes are:

• A new position has been created for Steve Pogorzelski, formerly group president, international. Pogorzelski is now executive vice president of global sales and customer development. He will oversee enterprise, field, telesales and e-business channels on a global basis.

• Brad Baker, former president of product, technology and service, is being appointed executive vice president of product, marketing and customer service. He will be responsible for product development and customer services as well as for overseeing the company’s marketing resources internationally.

• Darko Dejanovic, who recently joined the company as senior vice president, will be assuming Baker’s technology-related responsibilities. He was appointed executive vice president and global chief information officer.

Monster also has announced that Doug Klinger, president of Careers North America, will leave the company to pursue other opportunities. Monster will pay a combined $3 million in severance for the departures of Baker and Klinger.