HR Talent & Engagement Specialist

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

The Talent & Engagement Specialist is responsible for leading core recruitment efforts and promoting high-level talent acquisition strategies while driving employee engagement initiatives that align with Brighton Center’s mission and culture. This role will work closely with the Vice President of HR, hiring managers, and internal teams to ensure a consistent, values-based employee experience from recruitment to retention. The Specialist will play a pivotal role in bringing Brighton’s internal voice to life, coordinating recognition efforts, managing the employee lifecycle framework, and supporting internal culture and communication projects. This position requires strong people skills, a strategic mindset, and a deep commitment to fostering a workplace where every team member feels seen, heard, and valued.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This position requires face-to-face interactions with staff, board, vendors, and the general public on a daily basis to accomplish all essential functions of the position.

• Lead and improve full-cycle talent acquisition processes, including job postings, sourcing, screening, and candidate communication, while ensuring a strong employer brand. (30%)

• Develop and execute internal engagement and recognition initiatives that reinforce Brighton Center’s core values and internal “Brighton voice.” This includes milestone celebrations, employee appreciation efforts, and cultural touchpoints. (20%)

• Manage and enhance employee lifecycle tools and experiences, including onboarding, milestone check-ins, exit interviews, and offboarding frameworks. (15%)

• Create and maintain recruitment and engagement dashboards to monitor time-to-fill, candidate experience, engagement outcomes, and other key metrics. Assist the VP of HR with compiling executive summaries and insights. (10%)

• Coordinate with hiring managers to update job descriptions and organizational charts, ensuring alignment with team needs and internal structures. (5%)

• Support the development and dissemination of internal HR communications and campaign messaging, including the Canoe Theory and other Brighton voice initiatives. (5%)

• Serve as the primary contact for external employee surveys. Coordinate launch and communication, gather participation, compile data, and prepare summaries for VP of HR to present. (5%)

• Maintain and improve the internal employee HRIS Performance Management dashboard and ensure it is used effectively during team planning and performance reviews. (5%)

• Provide project management support for special HR campaigns and initiatives, managing timelines, tools, and follow-ups for successful implementation. (5%)

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• Assist with maintaining and improving SOPs related to recruitment, engagement, and internal communications. (1%)

• Support special projects that may be assigned by the VP of HR or HR Manager (1%)

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: High school diploma or equivalent with at least 5 years of experience in a talent engagement, recruiting, or human resources role, or a bachelor’s degree in human resources, communications, or a related field and at least 2 year of professional HR experience. Strong understanding of employee engagement strategies, recruiting best practices, and internal culture-building. Demonstrated experience in people-centered program development. Familiarity with HRIS platforms (e.g., Paycom), Microsoft Office Suite, and internal communication tools. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a strong eye for consistency and tone.

NECESSARY SKILLS

• Ability to align with and demonstrate Brighton Center’s Core Values.

• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills.

• Ability to develop relationships across teams and act as a cultural ambassador.

• Data-informed mindset; able to translate insights into action.

• Excellent organization, planning, and project management.

• Comfort navigating systems and managing both people- and process-oriented tasks.