Talent Acquisition Specialist

Job Summary:

The Talent Acquisition Specialist is a key strategic partner in shaping the department’s future by attracting, hiring, and onboarding exceptional faculty and staff. This role is responsible for managing the full recruitment lifecycle—from sourcing and screening candidates to facilitating a seamless onboarding experience. The specialist will design and implement innovative recruitment strategies, ensure compliance with institutional and legal standards, and deliver an outstanding candidate experience that reflects the department’s values and culture.

Working closely with department leadership, HR, and search committee members, this position will play a critical role in building strong talent pipelines and supporting the department’s academic and operational goals. The ideal candidate is proactive, detail-oriented, and highly collaborative, with the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality.

Key Responsibilities:

Full-Cycle Recruitment\: 25%

• Lead and manage all aspects of recruitment for faculty, research service professionals, and administrative staff.

• Design and implement effective recruitment strategies tailored to academic and administrative roles.

• Partner with department leadership to define position requirements, qualifications, and core competencies.

• Build and maintain talent pipelines through networking, outreach, and engagement with professional associations and academic communities.

• Ability to analyze HR metrics and adjust recruitment strategies accordingly.

Job Analysis & Posting\: 15%

• Collaborate with department leadership and key stakeholders to thoroughly review position requirements, responsibilities, and expectations. Ensure alignment with organizational goals and compliance with university standards.

• Establish clear minimum and preferred qualifications, competencies, and skills necessary for success in the role.

• Draft detailed and compelling job descriptions that accurately reflect the role and attract high-quality candidates. Highlight departmental culture, growth opportunities, and the impact of the position.

• Publish job descriptions across university platforms and targeted external job boards, including academic networks and professional associations. Leverage social media and other channels to maximize visibility and reach diverse applicant pools.

• Actively identify and engage potential applicants through networking, outreach, and talent pipelines to ensure a strong and competitive candidate pool.

Candidate Screening & Selection\: 15%

• Complete detailed position matrices to ensure consistent, objective, and equitable evaluation of all candidates.

• Provide clear guidance and training to faculty, staff, and search committee members on best practices for interviewing, candidate assessment, and compliance with university and legal standards.

• Screen applications thoroughly to identify qualified candidates, schedule interviews, and manage all logistics to ensure a smooth process. Maintain timely and professional communication between candidates and search committees throughout each stage of the process.

• Track recruitment metrics (time-to-fill, diversity statistics, candidate satisfaction) and prepare regular reports for leadership.

• Serve as the primary liaison between candidates and internal stakeholders, ensuring a positive, transparent, and professional experience from initial contact through final selection.

Reference & Background Checks\: 15%

• Conduct detailed reference checks for all final candidates, ensuring accuracy and consistency in the information provided.

• Identify and address any discrepancies or concerns promptly, escalating issues to leadership as appropriate.

• Maintain accurate documentation and safeguard all sensitive information with strict confidentiality.

Process Management & Compliance\: 15%

• Maintain accurate recruitment records and ensure adherence to institutional policies and equal employment opportunity guidelines.

• Provide regular updates and reports on recruitment progress to leadership.

• Maintain thorough documentation of all reference and background check processes while safeguarding sensitive information with the highest level of confidentiality.

• Continuously review and refine processes to improve efficiency and compliance.

Stakeholder Collaboration\: 15%

• Act as a trusted advisor to department heads, hiring managers, and search committees throughout the recruitment process.

• Recommend improvements to recruitment strategies and candidate experience based on data and feedback.

• Represent the department professionally in all interactions with candidates and external partners.

Work Location:

Hybrid – this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 3 days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings.

Why Join Us:

The Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine is dedicated to delivering superlative patient care, providing an environment where training and education thrive and innovation and discovery are fostered.

The Department of Emergency Medicine is based at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora Colorado. The campus is a state of the art medical campus home to the University of Colorado Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, the Colorado School of Public Health; as well as the University of Colorado Hospital and Children's Hospital Colorado both of which serve as major training sites for the Denver Health Residency in Emergency Medicine

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical\: Multiple plan options

• Dental\: Multiple plan options

• Additional Insurance\: Disability, Life, Vision

• Retirement 401(a) Plan\: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay

• Paid Time Off\: Accruals over the year

• Vacation Days\: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)

• Sick Days\: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)

• Holiday Days\: 10/year

• Tuition Benefit\: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses

• ECO Pass\: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution

• 3-5 years of professional experience in talent acquisition or recruitment.

A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with recruiting in higher education or research environments.

• Experience in using LinkedIn Talent Solutions to proactively source candidates

• Experience with recruitment marketing and employer branding

• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

• Professional credential, such as HR Certification Institute

• Experience in full-cycle recruiting, using various interview techniques and evaluation methods

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of recruitment best practices and compliance requirements.

• Proficiency in documenting processes and keeping up with industry trends

• Familiarity with applicant tracking systems and HRIS platforms.

• Proficiency with social media, CV databases, and professional networks

• Strong organizational and time-management skills

• Ability to analyze, interpret, and evaluate a broad range of laws, rules, and regulations in order to exercise good judgment in applying them to human resource challenges.

• Knowledge of the professional standards, concepts, and practices of recruitment and selection, employee relations, or organizational development and human resource policy.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally, including public speaking.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Manage confidential information with discretion and integrity.

• Ability to manage multiple searches simultaneously and meet deadlines.

• Strong problem solving and decision-making skills.

• Ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1.   A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position.

2.   Curriculum vitae / Resume

3.   Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Questions should be directed to\: Amy Wayne,amy.wayne@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by December 31, 2025.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as $59,073 - $75,141

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu​.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.