Richard Pehlke joined Heidrick & Struggles International Inc. (NASD: HSII) as interim chief financial officer, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Pehlke had served as executive vice president and CFO at Grubb & Ellis Co., a publicly held commercial real estate services and investment management company, from February 2007 until May 2010. Prior to that, Pehlke was CFO of staffing provider Hudson Highland Group Inc. (NASD: HHGP) from 2003 through 2005.

Heidrick’s previous CFO, Scott Krenz, announced in March his retirement to pursue a PhD in history. He stayed on to complete the first-quarter SEC filings.

Pehlke’s contract with Heidrick & Struggles expires on Sept. 15, 2011, according to the filing.