Director of Talent & People Strategy

Mai Placement•New York, NY

About The Position

A growing software company is seeking an experienced Director of Talent & People Strategy to build a new approach to hiring, developing, and retaining exceptional technical talent. As AI transforms software development, the company is rethinking team structures and the qualities that make an outstanding hire, with an emphasis on independent professionals who can own projects, solve complex problems, and use AI to deliver results. This is not a traditional HR or recruitment management role. The director will work directly with executive leadership to shape the company’s approach while remaining hands-on in sourcing, interviewing, assessing, and securing talent. The role combines technical recruiting expertise, sound judgment, an established network, and an understanding of people with a willingness to challenge established practices and build new approaches.

Requirements

Significant experience recruiting and evaluating technical talent within the software industry.
Strong understanding of software development, technical roles, and how AI is changing the development process.
Ability to assess technical capabilities, problem-solving skills, and independent execution.
Established network of software professionals and proven success attracting high-caliber candidates.
Experience building recruiting strategies and processes from the ground up.
Hands-on recruiting experience, including personally sourcing, screening, and interviewing candidates.
Strategic thinking, strong business judgment, and ability to influence executive decisions.
Excellent people skills and a genuine passion for employee engagement, development, and retention.
Creative, resourceful approach and willingness to experiment with new methods.
Strong track record of measurable recruiting and people-related achievements.
Comfort working in an evolving environment where strategies may need to be tested, adjusted, or rethought.

Responsibilities

Develop and own the strategy for attracting, assessing, recruiting, and retaining high-performing software professionals.
Identify candidates capable of independently owning complex projects using AI and modern development tools.
Build sourcing pipelines and use existing technical networks to attract exceptional talent.
Personally lead recruiting campaigns, screening, interviewing, and candidate evaluations.
Design technical assessments and interview processes that identify real-world problem-solving ability.
Evaluate technical candidates independently, involving subject-matter experts when needed.
Develop creative strategies to attract and retain talent beyond compensation alone.
Partner with executive leadership on workforce strategy, team structure, and evolving business needs.
Build and refine performance evaluation, feedback, and employee engagement practices.
Develop onboarding, professional development, and retention initiatives as the organization grows.
Continuously test, measure, and improve recruiting and people strategies.