Office address: 1 University Avenue, 3rd Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2P1
Website: www.iqpartners.com
Year established: 2001
Company type: staffing and recruiting
Employees: 40+
Expertise: HR recruitment, recruiting services, family office, executive search, technology, media, digital, marketing, finance, accounting, insurance, private equity, venture capital, CPG, eCommerce, retail, construction, engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, operations, legal, pharmaceutical, healthcare, sales, SaaS
Parent company: N/A
Key people: Bruce Powell (managing partner), Randy Quarin (senior partner), Jamie Danziger (COO), Mark Rouse (partner), Gary Hinde (partner), Adrian Robinson (partner), Kelly Noelle (partner)
Financing status: N/A

IQ Partners is a Toronto-based executive search and recruitment firm serving clients globally, with operations in North America, Europe, and Asia. Specializing in 17 industries, it has completed over 9,000 recruitment projects, primarily at the mid-to-senior management level. With a team of over 40 experts, the company helps businesses across Canada and beyond hire better and retain talent more effectively.

History of IQ Partners

IQ Partners was founded in 2001 by Bruce Powell and Randy Quarin as an executive search and recruitment firm based in Toronto. In 2012, they expanded by launching a legal division, specializing in the placement of lawyers, clerks, and paralegals for law firms and corporations. In 2014, the company introduced AugmentHR, offering customized HR services on-demand to meet client needs.

They developed their proprietary smartFACTOR™ tool to enhance the recruitment process by better matching candidates with companies. In 2022, the firm partnered with Recruitment Entrepreneur to help Canadian recruitment businesses grow and scale. Over the years, the company has received numerous awards and recognition as one of the top workplaces in Canada.

Products and Services of IQ Partners

IQ Partners offers a range of services designed to help companies and job seekers navigate the recruitment process efficiently and effectively. This includes:

• executive search and recruitment: provides tailored recruitment services for mid-to-senior management roles across various industries
• for jobseekers: assists job seekers in finding roles that match their skills, with access to job listings and career advice
• smartFACTOR™: a proprietary tool that helps match candidates with companies using a data-driven assessment process
• AugmentHR: on-demand HR services offering customized solutions for companies needing extra support in managing HR functions
• topgrading interview style: a structured interview method aimed at identifying high-performing candidates through detailed, competency-based questioning
• industry insights and reports: provides valuable content such as blogs, whitepapers, and newsletters to keep clients informed on industry trends and recruitment strategies
• webinars and events: regular online and in-person sessions that offer professional development and insights into recruitment and HR topics

IQ Partners leverages its deep industry expertise to recruit talent across various fields, including accounting, healthcare, SaaS, and legal. Their extensive network allows them to place candidates in roles from the Okanagan to Halifax, and globally from the US to Europe. With specialists in each sector, they ensure access to top talent, regardless of location.

Culture at IQ Partners

They are passionate about helping people, investing in the success of their clients, candidates, and employees. They value a balanced work environment that respects individual needs and promotes both work and play. As one of Canada’s fastest-growing companies, they state that their staff is smart and driven, offering them numerous benefits:

• top earning potential: competitive salaries with opportunities for significant growth
• career progression: clear advancement pathways within the company
• flexible working hours: flex time options to support work-life balance
• supportive and fun environment: a positive work culture that encourages collaboration and enjoyment
• learning and development: ongoing opportunities for professional growth and skill enhancement

Their workplace embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion, rooted in their core values of individuality and collaboration. They actively work to improve DEI within their organization and support clients in building diverse, inclusive teams. Their efforts are guided by a dedicated DEI committee that ensures accountability and progress through specific initiatives:

• unconscious bias training: ongoing education to minimize bias and promote fair decision-making
• building a diverse team: focused efforts on creating a more inclusive workforce
• trusted DEI advisors: offering guidance to clients on cultivating diversity within their own teams

IQ Partners values collaboration, believing that working together leads to better results for both clients and candidates. They are passionate about people, focusing on helping individuals and businesses succeed. Committed to continuous improvement, they strive to do better every day and encourage employees to be true to themselves while doing the right thing.

About IQ Partners Managing Partner Bruce Powell and Key People

Bruce Powell is the managing partner and co-founder of IQ Partners, leading a team of executive search and recruitment specialists across Canada. Previously, he held senior roles at Mandrake, The Mosaic Group, and Cossette. Powell earned his degree from Western University and began his career at Procter & Gamble in sales and marketing.

He works alongside a dedicated leadership team, each responsible for key areas of the business to ensure its success and growth:

• Randy Quarin, as a senior partner and co-founder, oversees business strategy and client relationships, helping drive the company's overall direction
• Jamie Danziger, serving as partner and COO, manages day-to-day operations and ensures smooth business processes
• Mark Rouse, as partner for marketing, communications, and PR, leads all communication strategies and marketing efforts for the company
• Gary Hinde, serving as partner-technology practice lead, specializes in recruiting top tech talent and driving innovation in that sector
• Adrian Robinson, as partner for marketing, advertising, and creative, focuses on placing talent in creative and marketing industries
• Kelly Noelle, partner, operations and industrial sales, leads recruitment for operations and sales roles in industrial sectors

The Future at IQ Partners

The company offers resources like the Recruitment & Hiring Guide and Financial Guru Guide to help companies hire better and avoid costly mistakes. Their 29 Tips for Hiring Better & Hiring Less helps businesses improve retention and reduce hiring errors. These guides position them to continue supporting companies with effective recruitment strategies for long-term success.

In April 2024, IQ Partners hosted a 1-on-1 resume improvement session for marketing professionals, led by their senior recruiters. The session offered personalized advice on crafting resumes, drawing from the team’s experience reviewing thousands of resumes and working with hundreds of clients. This initiative helped strengthen the firm’s connection with the marketing industry and provided valuable career support.