Senior Talent Strategy Recruiter

The Senior Talent Strategy Recruiter is a key member of VCU HR’s Executive Search Team (EST), supporting a broad portfolio of senior and executive‑level faculty and staff searches. The EST is an internal team of recruitment professionals dedicated to finding and engaging exceptional senior and executive‑level talent. Grounded in a deep understanding of VCU’s culture and priorities, the team collaborates closely with campus partners to provide focused, high‑quality search support. Each search is approached with care, partnership, and a tailored strategy that reflects the needs of the role and the institution. 

In partnership with the Director, Talent Strategy and Vice Provost, Faculty Recruitment, the Coordinator, this role develops and executes innovative recruitment strategies to attract high‑quality passive and active candidates for mission‑critical leadership positions across the university. The role enhances VCU’s leadership talent pipeline by delivering a well‑coordinated, impartial search process and providing an exceptional, high‑touch experience for candidates and campus partners.

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  Support recruitment for executive and strategic faculty hires and when needed, executive staff positions, ensuring consistency and alignment with institutional priorities.

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  Lead senior‑level, critical, and niche searches through full‑cycle recruitment for executive and high impact roles.

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  Develop search plans collaboratively with leadership, hiring managers, and HR partners to ensure clarity, alignment, and strategic direction.

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  Research and conduct personalized, strategic outreach to engage passive candidates whose backgrounds align with the role, fostering meaningful connections and cultivating genuine interest in VCU opportunities.

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  Validate candidate credentials and screen applicants to provide informed, role‑aligned recommendations to search committees and hiring managers. 

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  Lead executive search meetings and participate or lead interview forums with the search committee as needed to ensure clarity, coordination, and consistency across the evaluation process.

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  Provide outstanding communication and a welcoming, high‑touch experience for candidates, leadership, hiring managers, HR partners, and key stakeholders to ensure a supportive and well‑aligned search environment.

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  Develop strong, authentic connections with candidates and internal partners while delivering high‑touch support that enhances the search experience from start to finish.

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  Draft high‑quality search communications including correspondence, memos, announcements, and other materials that support a seamless and professional search process.

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  Draft and edit position profiles and prospectuses as needed.

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  Actively participates in professional and industry events in order to grow network and represent VCU.

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  Perform additional duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business, Public Administration, Psychology or Communications, or related field or relevant professional experience.

• A minimum of five years of executive search or talent acquisition experience with a demonstrated focus on executive-level recruitment in higher education, academic medical systems, or similarly complex environments.

• Demonstrated commitment to objective hiring practices and full‑cycle senior-level recruitment, including sourcing, screening, interviewing, resume evaluation, and candidate mapping.

• Experience creating and refining recruitment advertisements to attract highly qualified applicants.

• Exceptional communication and relationship-management skills with the ability to partner effectively with hiring managers to plan and execute recruitment strategies.

• Ability to thrive in fast‑paced, evolving environments while fostering long‑term candidate relationships and maintaining engagement throughout the search lifecycle.

• Demonstrated discretion and professionalism in handling confidential information, supported by strong time management, organization, and follow‑through.

• Collaborative team orientation with the ability to work independently and deliver high‑quality, service‑focused results.

• Proficient with applicant tracking systems and skilled in Google Docs and Microsoft Office, with the ability to produce presentations and reports. 

• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Psychology, Communications, or a related field.

• Seven years of executive search or talent acquisition experience with a demonstrated focus on executive-level recruitment in higher education, academic medical systems, or similarly complex environments.

• Expertise in advanced recruiting methodologies.

• Relevant certifications in the fields of Human Resources (e.g., PHR or SHRM-CP) and/or executive search (e.g., AESC, AIRS).

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