Lead Talent Acquisition Specialist

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: 15 days ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 13 May 2024

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title Lead Talent Acquisition Specialist
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Work Location Position qualifies for hybrid/in-office work
Research Professional Position No
Posting Number 202400645AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Prof/Indiv Contrib III
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range $73,000 - $90,000
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion , and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
  • Review our detailed benefits information here.
  • Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here .
  • For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator .
  • Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in !
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 05/13/2024
Description of Work Unit
Who We Are
Located in the beautiful town of Fort Collins, Colorado, Colorado State University is a premier land-grant university with world-class programs in education, outreach, and research. CSU has a student body of 33,000 students, 7,400 employees, 256,000 living alumni, and annual research expenditures exceeding $456 million. Colorado State University is a large land-grant research institution employing over 10,000 full and part-time faculty, exempt and non-exempt administrative professionals, classified staff, and student employees.
Within CSU, the Division of Human Resources is integral to achieving and sustaining the University’s institutional excellence. The University’s Human Resources Department is led by the Vice President for Human Resources and has responsibility for wide-ranging activities including, but not limited to: all employee benefits; payroll; compensation; Human Resources service center; recruitment, employment selection, and classification for State Classified personnel as well as general oversight of the State Personnel System within the University; employee relations; personnel policy development and interpretation; employee records and personnel action processing; and the human resource management information system (HRIS). CSU’s HR team is focused on supporting the operations and objectives of the University, our leaders, and our people. We value collaboration & connection with each other and campus stakeholders allowing for continued learning for our team and those we support. We believe our team and CSU are vastly stronger when inclusive to all people.
Now is an exciting time to join the Division of Human Resources, as we empower the future of CSU in many ways. For insight into how Human Resources plays a pivotal role in advancing the University’s mission and strategic priorities, please take a moment to review the most recent SOURCE article covering President Parsons’ Investiture Ceremony.
Position Summary
The Lead Talent Acquisition Specialist is responsible for serving as a strategic hiring partner for the HR Department, as well as for areas throughout the broader university, focusing on recruitment that enhances the diversity and quality of the applicant pool. This role involves close collaboration with all university departments, as well as supervising and training a team of Talent Acquisition Specialists to provide similar hiring support within the HR Department as well as across the university’s hiring needs.
Required Job Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in business, human resources, or a related field and at least 4 years of Talent Acquisition experience.
  • At least 2 years of direct supervisory experience, developing and leading a team of recruiters and talent acquisition professionals.
  • In-depth knowledge of recruitment and sourcing best practices, including how to build diverse talent pipelines, creative sourcing channels, and advanced search strategies (X-ray searches, etc.).
  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Thorough knowledge of the regulatory environment that governs talent acquisition work, including state and federal employment and wage and hour laws.
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • Previous experience using an Applicant Tracking System (PeopleAdmin, Workday, Taleo, etc.) and/or scheduling candidate interviews, posting job advertisements, and coordinating the candidate search process.
  • Experience building professional networks and successful partnerships with external organizations and agencies.
  • Experience in higher education or large organizations hiring for multiple types of roles, departments, and positions.
Diversity Statement
Personal and professional commitment to diversity and inclusion as demonstrated by involvement in teaching, research, creative activity, service to the profession and/or diversity/inclusion activities.

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Recruitment
Duty/Responsibility
  • Lead the end-to-end search process for positions within the HR department, as well as throughout the university as needed. ·
  • Utilize proven industry methods to seek both active and passive employment seekers for a range of positions.
  • Creates a network of talent and a streamlined approach to recruiting that could feasibly be scaled to a broader reach of the university’s hiring needs.
Percentage Of Time 60
Job Duty Category Team Supervision
Duty/Responsibility
  • Provide leadership, coaching, support, and performance management to direct reports.
  • Train a team in recruitment best practices and ensure performance criteria is being met.
  • Promote and maintain a culture of high productivity and comprehensive and current understanding of search process, DEI, and equal opportunity principles.
Percentage Of Time 20
Job Duty Category Training and Outreach
Duty/Responsibility
  • Understand existing recruitment strategies across the university and identify ways to streamline and train on best practices.
  • Create and provide trainings on recruitment best practices.
  • Act and be seen as a true partner of the recruitment and HR teams across the university.
Percentage Of Time 15
Job Duty Category Compliance
Duty/Responsibility
  • Stay updated on labor laws and regulations to ensure compliance. 
Percentage Of Time 5

Application Details


Special Instructions to Applicants
Excited about this role even if you don’t meet every qualification? We are most interested in finding exceptional candidates and seek to make space for unique and relevant skills and attributes, including those coming from less traditional backgrounds. CSU is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where unique experiences are valued and everyone has the opportunity to contribute. When you apply, rest assured that your application will be assessed by a person and will be considered based on key competencies needed for success in the position.
To apply, please submit the following materials:
  • A resume
  • A cover letter that tells us how your background and experience align with the qualifications of the position.
  • Three professional references noting name, phone number, email address, and professional relationship (one must be a current or former supervisor). References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.


CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Search Contact Talent Acquisition Team, [email protected]
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected] .
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

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