Senior Talent Strategy Recruiter

Advertising Summary: VCU Human Resources is excited to announce an opportunity for a 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.

Unit: Human Resources 

Department: Human Resources

Department Summary: At VCU, we are UNCOMMON and UNLIKE any other university. A premier, urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers in Virginia. VCU is a great place to work. It’s a place of opportunity where your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission-driven work.

About Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University is a public research institution committed to serving the needs of students and patients and our passionate community isn't afraid to tackle difficult challenges others can't, or won't. We’re home to creativity, teaching, discovery and healing. Our location in the heart of downtown Richmond, Virginia, means the nonstop energy of our city ignites our innovation and provides unlimited opportunities. We know that the unique backgrounds and experiences of the VCU community are what drive the university forward. Together, we’re forging a future that is built by us. Here, artists and engineers, healthcare professionals and designers come together to reimagine the human experience and tackle the problems of tomorrow.

Through our network of Health Sciences schools, we lead the commonwealth in advancing the health and well-being of Virginians through education, research, and patient care. Our six schools and colleges combined with our leading academic medical system are shaping the future of the health care workforce in critical fields and delivering care and hope across communities. We are located in the capital of Virginia and our impact can be felt across the commonwealth and beyond.

For more information, visit: https://www.vcu.edu/

Duties & Responsibilities:

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.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

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

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

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

• 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.

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

• 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.

• 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.

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

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

• Draft and edit position profiles and prospectuses as needed.

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

• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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).

Salary Range: $90,000 - $110,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

University Job Title: 2321S - Sr HR Specialist Senior

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Mary Teller
Contact Email: mkteller@vcu.edu