Director, Talent Acquisition

New Mexico State University; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 77,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico State University seeks a strategic Director of Talent Acquisition to oversee the entire employment life cycle across the university and system institutions. You will lead recruitment, branding, and onboarding, ensuring equitable hiring practices and diverse talent pipelines.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree with at least five years of related experience, including two years in supervision. You will manage a HR team and partner across campuses to drive people-first talent

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree + 5 years of related experience, including 2 years of supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the talent acquisition process for NMSU and system-wide locations.
• Develop and sustain employment branding and recruitment strategies.
• Track metrics and drive continuous quality improvements in recruitment and onboarding.

Skills

Leadership

Talent acquisition

Strategic thinking

People management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

• 504127
• Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
• Staff
• Staff Full-time
• Closing at: Oct 23 2026 - 23:55 MDT
  

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Department Contact: Bill Dial, [e-mail]
Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants
Advertising Summary: Join Our Team as Director of Talent Acquisition!
New Mexico State University is seeking a strategic and innovative leader to oversee talent acquisition across NMSU and the NMSU System. This role leads efforts to attract and retain talent through creative recruitment strategies, employment branding, and efficient, equitable hiring practices.
The Director also oversees new employee orientation and first-year experience programs, develops talent acquisition metrics and continuous improvement strategies, and leads a team of HR professionals. If you are passionate about building strong teams and creating a positive experience for employees from recruitment through onboarding, we encourage you to apply.

Position Details

Position Title: Director, Talent Acquisition
College/Division: Administration and Finance
Department: 510038-EMPLOYMENT & COMPENSATION SVCS
Location: Las Cruces
Target Hourly/Salary Rate: $77,235.92-$84,958.50
Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0
FLSA Status: Exempt
Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable
Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Director of Talent Acquisition, reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, is responsible for oversight of the talent acquisition process of the entire employment life cycle at New Mexico State University (NMSU) and the NMSU System institutions and locations. This includes creation and implementation of an employment brand that reflects the mission, vision, values, and culture of NMSU.
The Director of Talent Acquisition is responsible in leading efforts to attract, hire, and retain individuals who desire to become part of a land-grant institution with a passion for serving students and employees, arriving at creative talent acquisition strategies that incorporate and leverage AI, social media, and networking that result in delivering the best people to work at NMSU.
The position is responsible for developing and sustaining both efficient and effective talent acquisition processes, and then cascading them across the entire organization to ensure consistency and equity. The position will also develop and track key metrics that align with the University's strategic mission while focusing on continuous quality improvement. The position is responsible for the University new employee orientation and employee immersion and first-year experience programs, working collaboratively across the NMSU system to ensure talent new to the organization thrive and grow.
The Director of Talent Acquisition will supervisor a team of HR professionals and serve as a member of the NMSU Leadership Team.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree + 5 years of related experience, to include 2 years of supervisory experience.
Equivalent Qualifications: Related education and experience can be substituted for minimum requirements.
Preferred Qualifications: HRCI or SHRM Certification preferred.

Special Certification/Licensure

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.
Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.
Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

Recruitment Summary

We are New Mexico’s land-grant institution and a comprehensive research university dedicated to teaching, research public service and outreach at all levels. NMSU is a welcoming community of talented faculty, staff and students who are working together to make a difference. We are a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), a minority-serving institution (MSI) and home to the first Honors College in New Mexico. We offer an accessible education that shapes bright futures.
NMSU provides learning opportunities to a diverse population of students and community members at four campuses, Cooperative Extension offices located in each of New Mexico’s 33 counties, 12 research and science centers, and through distance education.

NMSU Global Campus

Since 1888, NMSU proudly embodied this tradition, building relationships that last a lifetime while serving students who want to earn their degree and grow in their field. Today, NMSU Global Campus provides flexible, career-focused online education that helps our students transform their lives - and the lives of the people they love - through over 70 degree and certificate programs, skill-building microlearning courses, and career and talent development.

NMSU Main Campus

Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University's 900-acre main campus is located at the crossroads of I-10 and I-25 in the Southwestern United States. As a thriving center of higher education, deeply rooted in the regional tradition, its role as a comprehensive university is recognized throughout the state.

Doña Ana Community College

Founded in 1973 in collaboration with local school districts to support occupational education, DACC is now a leading community college that provides transformative educational opportunities that meet the workforce needs of Doña Ana County. With a focus on access, innovation and excellence, DACC offers over ninety degrees and certificates, adult education, specialized workforce training, and small business assistance.

Alamogordo Campus

Established in 1958 to serve the needs of the airmen and families stationed at Holloman Air Force Base located only 10 miles west of Alamogordo, NMSUA is a community college with a long history of excellence that is supported by a caring community of hard-working students and dedicated faculty and staff. The campus is situated "on the hill" above Alamogordo and provides inspiring views of the city and the Tularosa Basin, offering the perfect venue for creative and motivated learning.

Grants Campus

NMSU Grants was established as a branch of New Mexico State University in 1968 through the cooperative efforts of New Mexico State University and Grants Municipal Schools. As a two-year branch community college, NMSU Grants serves the local communities in Cibola and McKinley counties, including the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni, as well as Tohajiilee, San Mateo, San Rafael, Cubero, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan.

EEO Statement

New Mexico State University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Requesting an Accommodation

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and New Mexico State University policy, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply, interview, or complete onboarding for a position with New Mexico State University, or if you cannot use the online application system, please visit our Accessibility & Accommodations page to initiate an accommodation request