Senior IT Talent Acquisition Specialist (req-234)

CATHEXIS•McLean, VA

2d•$115,000 - $130,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Team CATHEXIS elevates the government contracting experience through rapid response, deep skill, and thoughtful problem-solving and communication. Our core capabilities are our top-tier program and project management, data analytics, and audit services, the backbone of which is our integrated approach to operational excellence. You worked hard to get to where you are. You strive to make every day better than the day before. So do we. Team CATHEXIS operates with an all-in mindset. We are working together to create a company that supports our shared values and individual goals. Our values are centered around leading with integrity, owning the outcome, growing together, and moving with purpose in everything we do for our employees, customers, partners, and communities. We believe success is best when we listen and lead with empathy; model high standards of ethics to provide a rewarding candidate experience; work hard, have fun, and appreciate the strengths we all bring to the team; and empower our employees to create innovative and trusted results. We are looking for a dynamic Senior IT Talent Acquisition Specialist to join our team! We are seeking a seasoned and strategically minded Senior IT Talent Acquisition Specialist to join our growing Talent Acquisition team. This is not a transactional recruiting role — we are looking for a true talent advisor who brings deep expertise in full-lifecycle recruiting, a consultative approach to stakeholder partnerships, and a proven ability to attract top-tier IT talent across all security clearance levels within the government contracting (GovCon) environment. The ideal candidate operates with a high degree of autonomy, thrives in complex environments, and brings a data-driven mindset to every conversation — presenting pipeline insights, market intelligence, and strategic recommendations that move the business forward. This will be a hybrid role with 2 to 3 days a week onsite in the Tysons, VA area.

Requirements

8+ years of full-lifecycle IT recruiting experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a government contracting (GovCon) environment.
Demonstrated experience recruiting for roles requiring security clearances at all levels, including TS/SCI and polygraph-required positions.
Deep understanding of the cleared IT talent market, including DoD, Intelligence Community (IC), and civilian agency contracting environments.
Proven track record of acting as a strategic business partner — not just an order taker — with the ability to influence, advise, and partner with stakeholders constructively.
Solid proficiency in recruiting metrics — ability to build, interpret, and present data to stakeholders with clear, actionable recommendations.
Familiarity with OFCCP compliance, EEO guidelines, etc.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the confidence to present to hiring managers/stakeholders, and senior leadership.
Proficiency with ATS platforms (Workable, or similar) and sourcing tools (LinkedIn Recruiter, ClearanceJobs, etc.).
Demonstrated ability to manage a high-volume, complex requisition load independently while maintaining quality and service levels.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
AIRS, SHRM, or other relevant HR/TA certifications.
Exposure to workforce planning and pipeline/talent pooling strategies

Responsibilities

Manage end-to-end recruiting for a broad portfolio of IT roles, including software engineers, DevOps Engineers, Site Reliability Engineers, Data Scientists, program/project managers, and other technical disciplines.
Source passive and active candidates through a variety of channels including LinkedIn Recruiter, job boards, referrals, networking events, cleared job fairs, and social media.
Recruit across all clearance levels — from Public Trust through TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph — with a solid understanding of clearance eligibility, reciprocity, and adjudication timelines.
Develop and execute targeted sourcing strategies tailored to unique roles, clearance requirements, and skill sets.
Conduct thorough candidate screens to evaluate technical qualifications, clearance status, compensation alignment, and cultural fit before presenting to hiring managers.
Serve as a trusted talent advisor and primary point of contact for assigned hiring manager/stakeholders.
Lead intake/kickoff meetings that go beyond job description review — challenging requirements, aligning on realistic expectations, and co-developing hiring strategies.
Proactively communicate pipeline status, candidate feedback, market conditions, and competitive intelligence to stakeholders on a regular cadence.
Provide consultative guidance to hiring managers on interview best practices, offer strategy, and candidate experience.
Influence and advise when necessary — advocating for competitive offers, realistic timelines, and process improvements that protect candidate quality and business outcomes.
Track and analyze key recruiting metrics including pipeline conversion and aging requisitions.
Present data-driven insights and recruitment performance summaries to stakeholders and TA leadership on a regular basis.
Go beyond reporting — translate data into actionable recommendations, identify bottlenecks, and propose solutions to continuously improve hiring outcomes.
Monitor labor market trends and compensation benchmarks to counsel stakeholders on competitive positioning and talent availability.
Partner collaboratively with fellow TA team members and HR partners, to ensure a seamless candidate and hiring manager experience.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date requisition and candidate data in the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
Contribute to team initiatives such as talent pipeline management, process improvement, etc.