Associate Director of Talent Acquisition

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Director of Talent Acquisition for Harvard Central Administration (CADM), supporting the Campus Operations and Safety client group, the Associate Director of Talent Acquisition provides strategic and operational leadership for the talent acquisition function supporting multiple CADM client groups. This role sets the overall recruiting strategy, oversees a team of Talent Consultants and Coordinators, and is accountable for service quality, consistency, and results across the portfolio.
The Associate Director partners closely with CADM and University leadership on workforce planning, labor market strategy, and employer branding. The role leads executive and other complex searches, manages key relationships and systems, and drives the development of scalable processes and metrics to meet current and future staffing needs.
Leads end‑to‑end recruiting strategy for a complex client group, developing tailored, high‑touch sourcing and selection approaches for specialized and hard‑to‑fill roles while partnering closely with business leaders to anticipate talent needs and deliver high‑quality hires.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant recruiting/talent acquisition experience.
• Supervisory experience managing professional staff.
• Advanced knowledge of labor markets, recruiting practices, and recruiting marketing resources.
• Demonstrated experience leading a talent acquisition function or major recruiting portfolio in a complex, matrixed organization; higher education or large non‑profit experience preferred.
• Proven success managing executive and senior‑level searches and advising senior leaders.
• Strong track record of building and leading high performing recruiting teams, including coaching and developing staff.
• Experience with workforce planning.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using data and metrics to drive decisions and improvements.
• Excellent consulting, project management, communication (written and verbal), and influencing skills; ability to work effectively with senior leadership and across organizational boundaries.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HR/recruiting systems; experience with Harvard systems and Central Recruitment Services partnerships preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple complex initiatives in a fast‑paced environment while maintaining high standards of service and confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

• higher education or large non‑profit experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of a comprehensive talent acquisition strategy for CADM that aligns with school/department and University goals.
• Partner with HR leaders and client leadership on workforce planning, staffing forecasts, and market strategies, including identification of critical roles and talent pipelines.
• Serve as primary advisor to senior leadership on talent market trends, competitive intelligence, and recruiting implications for CADM units.
• Provide effective leadership and management for a team of recruiting professionals (e.g., Talent Consultants, and Coordinators), including hiring and orientation, training and development, and performance management.
• Set clear service expectations and standards; ensure consistent, high‑quality delivery of full‑cycle recruiting services across multiple client groups.
• Oversee day‑to‑day operations of the talent acquisition function, including requisition assignment, workload balancing, and escalation management for complex or sensitive cases.
• Lead or oversee executive, senior‑level, and other complex searches, including development of position and market strategies, targeted sourcing plans, and assessment and selection approaches.
• Build and maintain long‑term relationships and networks with senior‑level and specialized talent pools to support current and future hiring needs.
• Design, develop, and monitor effective recruiting processes and practices; identify and implement cost‑effective solutions that enhance efficiency, quality, and candidate experience.
• Oversee use and optimization of recruitment systems and tools (e.g., applicant tracking, reporting, sourcing platforms) and coordinate with TAO on systems enhancements and support.
• Manage or oversee relationships with external vendors (search firms, job boards, assessment providers, etc.), including selection, performance evaluation, and contract management.
• Lead the analysis of recruiting data and metrics (e.g., time‑to‑fill, quality of hire, source effectiveness, funnel analytics) to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities.
• Leverage regular dashboards and reports for Recruitment Team, HR and client leadership; recommend and implement action plans based on findings.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the talent acquisition function, including standardization of tools, templates, training, and documentation.
• Design, develop, and oversee implementation of a comprehensive strategy for attracting talent, including digital, social media, and niche channels.
• Shape and promote CADM’s employment value proposition in coordination with University partners; ensure consistency in messaging across postings, outreach, and events.
• Represent CADM and Harvard at key recruiting events and conferences; oversee participation strategy, resource allocation, and post‑event follow‑up.
• Ensure recruiting practices are aligned with applicable employment laws, regulations, and Harvard policies and procedures.
• Establish and maintain standards, guidelines, and training for hiring managers and recruiting staff related to compliant, effective, and consistent recruitment practices.
• Collaborate with HR colleagues and Central Recruitment Services on University‑wide initiatives, policies, and projects related to talent acquisition.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager