jay r. watkins

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Jay has over 20 years of strategic and tactical experience in the recruiting industry.  He joined JWC Partners in 2011 and has worked primarily on executive search and board placement assignments while also taking the lead on research for many of the firm's projects, utilizing multiple sources and databases along with JWC's extensive network to find the right person for each recruiting effort.

One of the key elements to Jay's success in recruiting is his ability to partner with companies to help define what they need, then go out into the market and find the best person to meet those needs. His strategic perspective combined with his intense, analytic focus allow him to break down even the toughest searches. Jay applies his considerable industry expertise in each project; he has worked across a broad range of industries, including industrial manufacturing, financial institutions, consumer companies and professional services.

Jay also spearheads many of JWC's board placement projects, where his fact-based and persuasive uncommercial style has introduced many top executives to their first board role.

His career started with Management Recruiters International where he led large scale hiring initiatives on a national basis for companies in many industries.  He went on to work as a leader for the corporate recruiting team at NovaStar Financial, Inc. and most recently was the Director of Recruitment Services for Staffing Solutions Enterprises.

Jay received a BA in communications from Purdue University and an MS in communications from Syracuse University.  Jay lives outside of Cleveland, Ohio with his wife and their two sons. Jay enjoys sports, music, travel and watching his sons' various sporting events.

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