Senior Recruiting Specialist (Contract)

Job Description

Why This Role Matters

At The Washington Post, we believe that great storytelling begins with great teams. As a Senior Recruiting Specialist, you’ll operate at the intersection of strategic hiring and coordination—ensuring our recruiting engine runs smoothly while also leading a select set of full-cycle requisitions.

In this high-impact, collaborative role, you’ll help bring our mission to life by ensuring that every candidate, recruiter, and hiring manager experiences clarity, care, and momentum. This is more than just moving candidates through a pipeline—it’s about building trust, unlocking potential, and helping shape careers that support journalism that matters.

We expect this role to last approximately six months, through December 2025. This position is based onsite five days a week in our Washington, DC office.

How You’ll Support the Mission

Full-Cycle Recruiting Responsibilities:

• At times, manage approximately 5-10 open requisitions, primarily supporting hiring teams across corporate functions (e.g., tech, finance, operations).

• Own the end-to-end recruiting process: intake, sourcing, screening, coordinating interviews, offer prep, and closing.

• Partner with hiring managers to understand role needs, advise on hiring strategies, and guide the process from start to finish.

• Source and screen candidates, conduct phone interviews, and curate thoughtful, qualified candidate shortlists.

• Collaborate closely with stakeholders to ensure timely, informed hiring decisions.

• Deliver high-touch, timely communication that strengthens candidate relationships.

• Partner with compensation and hiring managers to craft compelling, equitable offers.

Talent Coordination Responsibilities:

• Provide logistical and operational support to recruiters during peak volume hiring.

• Schedule and coordinate candidate interviews on behalf of recruiters across multiple hiring teams and platforms.

• Conduct and track background and reference checks, ensuring timely clearance and compliance.

• Manage new hire logistics including systems access, onboarding tasks, and internal workflows.

• Maintain data quality and workflow integrity within our applicant tracking system (Workday).

Skills and Experience You Bring

• 4+ years of corporate recruiting experience, including proven experience managing full-cycle searches, is required.

• Experience recruiting for a variety of corporate functions including tech, finance, marketing, sales, and operations is highly preferred.

• Experience with behavioral based interviews and candidate assessment is highly preferred.

• Experience with applicant tracking systems, preferably Workday.

• Strong organizational and time management skills; highly detail-oriented.

• Experience coordinating complex scheduling needs across teams and platforms.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Clear communicator with a customer-focused approach; empathetic and professional.

• Demonstrated ability to build trusted partnerships with hiring managers and candidates.

• Comfortable working in ambiguity and adapting to new processes, platforms, and hiring needs.

Collaboration makes us stronger. That’s why our offices are designed with open layouts, modern technology, and easy access to transportation. With certain exceptions for newsgathering and business travel, we work on-site five days a week.

The Post strives to provide its readers with high-quality, trustworthy news and information while constantly innovating. That mission is best served by a diverse, multi-generational workforce with varied life experiences and perspectives. All cultures and backgrounds are welcomed.