Uber Offers a Thankless Job, and the Applications Flood In<br />Mr. Kalanick, who remains a significant Uber shareholder, has been active in the search for his replacement, according to two of the<br />people familiar with the candidates, although the candidates have been assured that they would have autonomy as chief executive<br />The company has received a flood of interest since Mr. Kalanick vacated his seat in June, and Uber’s board has interviewed multiple candidates.<br />Despite a series of scandals that have rocked Uber to its core this year, competition for the chief executive position is<br />robust, according to people familiar with the search who asked to remain anonymous because the process is confidential.<br />Despite Uber’s problems, executives see an opportunity to shepherd the company — which operates in more than 80 countries<br />and pulls in billions of dollars each quarter — through the most trying time in its eight-year history.<br />“This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who’s wired for problem solving<br />and wants to make their mark by turning around the image of the company,” said Jason Hanold, managing partner at Hanold Associates, a boutique executive search firm.<br />Mr. Bain, Mr. Cush, Ms. Mayer, Mr. Staggs and Mr. Arora did not immediately respond to requests for comment.<br />As a result, changes made by a new chief would affect millions of people globally, not to mention<br />Uber’s work force of more than 15,000 employees and hundreds of thousands of contract drivers.<br />Some candidates have expressed concern over how Uber’s board operates, especially because Mr. Kalanick retains a seat.
