Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist - Human Resources

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Associate Director of Talent Acquisition, the Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist independently performs a full range of professional human resources functions in support of campus-wide recruitment for various positions. The position serves as a primary recruitment partner to hiring managers and campus departments, providing consultation on recruitment strategies to support effective and timely hiring outcomes.

The incumbent is responsible for managing full-cycle recruitment processes, including planning, sourcing, applicant evaluation, and offer development, while ensuring compliance with CSU systemwide policies, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable federal and state employment laws. The role will include interpreting policies, assessing candidate qualifications, and advising on equitable hiring practices.

Working collaboratively with campus stakeholders, the Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist contributes to the development and implementation of recruitment strategies and process improvements that enhance the University’s ability to attract and retain a diverse and qualified workforce. This position operates within established guidelines and is accountable for the quality, consistency, and compliance of assigned recruitment activities.

This position will start in-person and will then have the opportunity to work a hybrid schedule after successful onboarding. 

Department Summary

The Human Resources (HR) department within University Personnel at Cal Poly leads workplace strategies that enable our approximately 3000 employees (staff, faculty and management) to thrive in their roles.  Through traditional practices like recruitment, benefits, employee relations, information systems and performance management to strategic practices like professional development, organization development, workforce planning, and engagement, Human Resources is dedicated to cultivating the excellence of all employees.

Key Qualifications

• Working knowledge of CSU recruitment policies, classification standards, and collective bargaining agreements, with the ability to interpret and apply requirements across a wide range of staff recruitment scenarios.
• Knowledge of federal and state employment laws (e.g., EEO, ADA, FLSA) and ability to apply them to recruitment practices to ensure compliant and equitable hiring outcomes.
• Ability to independently plan, execute, and manage multiple concurrent recruitment processes, exercising judgment in sourcing strategies, applicant evaluation, and offer development.
• Ability to serve as a trusted advisor to hiring managers and campus partners by recommending recruitment strategies, outreach approaches, and position structuring based on labor market conditions and organizational needs.
• Ability to assess candidate qualifications, experience, and alignment with position requirements, including advising search committees on screening criteria and selection processes.

Education and Experience

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field and two years of relevant experience. Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown below may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $72,708 - $85,188 per year

Classification Range: $63,288 - $92,208 per year

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional inf