Talent Acquisition Specialist

KU Endowment•Lawrence, KS

just now•Hybrid

About The Position

KU Endowment is an independent, nonprofit organization and the official fundraising foundation for the University of Kansas. We partner with donors in providing philanthropic support to build a greater KU. As an employee of KU Endowment, you’ll witness firsthand the power of our donors’ generosity. You will join a talented and fun group of people who are inspired to help KU through the support of loyal alumni and friends. This support fuels excellence, enabling students and faculty to develop innovative programs and research that distinguish the university. We connect the philanthropic passions of donors with the needs of students, faculty and programs – and everyone benefits. People are engaged. Purpose is ignited. Lives are changed. The Talent Acquisition Specialist is an outcome-accountable recruiting professional responsible for leading the full recruitment lifecycle for an assigned portfolio of roles. This position delivers consultative, high-quality recruiting support through effective sourcing, structured talent assessment, workflow coordination, and trusted partnership with hiring leaders. This role operates within established recruiting processes while exercising professional judgment in candidate evaluation, sourcing strategy, and hiring recommendations. The Talent Acquisition Partner owns requisition outcomes and ensures equitable, compliant, and high-quality hiring practices. The individual in this position is expected to embrace KU Endowment’s stated core values – collaboration, curiosity, empowerment, and excellence – and demonstrate support for them through professional interactions and activities. Following the initial training period, this position offers a hybrid work schedule, with the flexibility to work remotely for part of the week. However, the role requires multiple days per week on-site at our Lawrence, KS office to ensure effective collaboration, team engagement, and alignment with organizational goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field preferred
Professional recruiting experience managing full-cycle searches
Experience supporting multiple stakeholders and concurrent requisitions
Demonstrated ability to assess talent using structured methods
Strong communication, organizational, and relationship management skills
Experience using an applicant tracking system (ATS)
A valid driver’s license.
Must have access to reliable transportation to travel between multiple locations for training, donor meetings, networking, events and/or work-related activities.
Must be able to respond quickly and effectively to directions and safety hazards.
Must be able to communicate with others effectively.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent searches with competing priorities
Strong consultative and influencing skills with the ability to build trust across levels
Ability to evaluate talent objectively using structured, competency-based methods
Analytical skills to interpret recruiting data and translate insights into action
Effective negotiation and offer management skills
High level of organization, attention to detail, and workflow discipline
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Ability to navigate ambiguity and adjust sourcing strategies in dynamic labor markets
Sound judgment in assessing candidate risk and cultural alignment
Commitment to equitable hiring practices and inclusive candidate experiences
Proficiency with applicant tracking systems (ATS) and recruiting technologies
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion

Responsibilities

Lead the full recruitment lifecycle for assigned roles, from intake consultation through offer and onboarding.
Conduct structured intake meetings to clarify role expectations, competencies, and selection criteria.
Source, screen, and assess candidates using consistent, equitable evaluation methods.
Develop targeted sourcing strategies aligned with workforce needs and talent market conditions.
Build and sustain short- and long-term talent pipelines.
Serve as a trusted advisor to hiring managers and search committees.
Provide informed recommendations on candidate quality, selection risk, and hiring decisions.
Apply talent market insights and recruiting data to guide strategy.
Manage offer development, extension, and negotiation in alignment with organizational guidelines.
Ensure compliant, equitable, and consistent hiring practices across assigned searches.
Accurately manage applicant tracking system (ATS) workflows, requisitions, postings, and candidate records.
Coordinate interview scheduling and recruiting logistics for assigned searches and shared team processes.
Support onboarding coordination and pre-hire documentation in partnership with HR and hiring managers.
Analyze recruiting metrics including time-to-fill, offer acceptance rates, and pipeline health.
Apply recruiting analytics and market intelligence to improve hiring outcomes.
Identify workflow efficiencies and contribute to process improvements.
Contribute operationally to employee engagement and belonging initiatives, including employee resource groups and workforce enrichment programs.
Serve as a cultural ambassador throughout the candidate and onboarding experience.
Regular and reliable attendance is essential for this position.
Performs other duties as assigned.