Talent Sourcer, AI

Microsoft•Redmond, WA

About The Position

Microsoft is hiring a Talent Sourcer, AI to identify and engage the rare, high-impact talent shaping the future of artificial intelligence. From research scientists to applied ML engineers, this role partners directly with technical leaders to source individuals capable of driving breakthroughs in foundation models, advanced reasoning systems, and core AI infrastructure. This is not traditional sourcing. We operate with urgency and autonomy—balancing startup energy with Microsoft-scale resources. Our sourcing team executes in focused missions to solve hard hiring problems, unlock high-bar pipelines, and proactively identify talent beyond inbound channels or referrals. This is precision sourcing: research-led, multi-channel, and built for complexity. If you thrive in technical ambiguity, enjoy deep collaboration with AI scientists and engineers, and bring energy to every search—this role offers the opportunity to work at the leading edge of talent strategy in artificial intelligence. This role is ideal for sourcers who see talent strategy as product strategy—those who move fast, go deep, and are energized by solving complex technical searches at scale. Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree AND 4+ years talent acquisition experience (e.g., recruiting, sourcing), HR experience, or industry experience related to role OR equivalent experience.
4+ years of end-to-end talent sourcing experience
4+ years of experience analyzing talent market trends to consult hiring managers on recruiting strategies
4+ years of technical talent sourcing experience
2+ years of experience sourcing Artificial Intelligence (AI) talent
Experience sourcing for frontier AI labs, early-stage startups, or technical teams building large-scale ML systems
Deep familiarity with open-source and research ecosystems: GitHub, Arxiv, Hugging Face, Stack Overflow, and academic conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, CVPR)
Proven success using Boolean/X-ray logic, publication-based sourcing, and outreach beyond traditional channels
Comfort working in fast-paced, dynamic environments where velocity, experimentation, and ownership are key

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's Degree AND 8+ years talent acquisition experience (e.g., recruiting, sourcing), HR experience, or industry experience related to role OR Master's Degree AND 6+ years talent acquisition experience (e.g., recruiting, sourcing), HR experience, or industry experience related to role OR equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

Act as a consultative partner to technical and research leaders across Microsoft, influencing profile definition, funnel design, and prioritization.
Present market insights, search progress, and candidate recommendations with clarity and confidence, particularly in ambiguous or evolving searches.
Drive rigor in calibration: challenge assumptions, align early, and advocate for sourcing approaches that optimize for long-term outcomes.
Guide hiring teams toward inclusive and differentiated sourcing strategies.
Conduct deep landscape analysis across global AI talent markets—mapping top labs, research groups, startups, and open-source contributors.
Build long-range pipelines around critical profiles using technical taxonomies, publication review, and trend-based forecasting.
Collaborate cross-functionally on campaigns and outreach tied to Microsoft’s highest-priority AI initiatives.
Identify gaps, opportunities, and competitive dynamics to continuously inform hiring strategy.
Craft high-context, personalized messaging that resonates with deeply technical audiences—anchored in the work, not generic EVP.
Engage talent through diverse channels: AMiner, GitHub, Arxiv, academic networks, niche communities, and technical events.
Represent Microsoft at key industry forums and conferences, where applicable.
Own early-funnel candidate experience—establishing trust, managing expectations, and minimizing friction.
Design and execute research-forward sourcing strategies to surface rare, highly specialized AI/ML talent.
Contribute to sourcing missions that span 6–8 weeks with clear goals: mapped markets, validated pipelines, and calibrated submissions.
Navigate multiple, concurrent searches across evolving profiles with urgency and precision.
Contribute to team learning and global connectivity through knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Use data to prioritize efforts, monitor pipeline health, and guide sourcing strategy.
Track mid-funnel performance metrics (e.g., resume pass-through, tech screen rates, offer conversion) to refine approach.
Leverage Microsoft’s sourcing tech stack—CRM, analytics, and AI-enabled systems—while identifying opportunities for optimization.
Translate sourcing signals into clear, actionable insights for planning and execution.
Embody our culture and values