DSHS OOS Talent Acquisition Operations Manager

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Remote; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington seeks a Talent Acquisition Operations Manager to lead statewide TA programs, partnering with the TA Administrator to guide daily operations and develop staff. You will strengthen practices, build trusted relationships, and translate strategy into action across a remote, collaborative team.

You will focus on capability-building, stakeholder relationships, and process improvements within the TA services, ensuring timely, effective delivery and strong service standards.

Qualifications

• Professional-level HR experience with Talent Acquisition, recruiting, or pre-employment work.
• Experience managing professional staff.
• Experience managing day-to-day operations and multiple priorities in a complex environment.
• Ability to assess situations and understand broader context before acting.
• Experience identifying opportunities for process improvement and implementing changes.
• Strong consultation, relationship-building, and influencing skills.
• Experience using data to understand operational needs.
• Knowledge of employment laws, rules, and hiring practices and their impact.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the Talent Acquisition program and statewide staff.
• Coach, mentor, and develop professional staff; set performance expectations.
• Monitor service delivery, resources, workload, and process flow; identify gaps.
• Provide technical guidance and oversight of Talent Acquisition processes; ensure compliance with laws and policies.
• Lead and support strategic business planning and program initiatives with the Talent Acquisition Administrator.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and strengthen efficiency and effectiveness.
• Consult customers on Talent Acquisition services and pre-employment matters.
• Identify and respond to customer needs; ensure high-level needs are addressed.
• Maintain business continuity to support ongoing service delivery.

Skills

Talent Acquisition

Staff management

Operations management

Process improvement

Consultation

Data-driven decisions

Employment laws

Bachelor’s degree (HR/Business)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or HR

Job description

DSHS Talent Acquisition Operations Manager

As our Talent Acquisition Operations Manager, you’ll partner closely with the Talent Acquisition Administrator to lead the day-to-day operations of a statewide Talent Acquisition program. You’ll lead and develop professional staff, strengthen operational practices, build trusted customer relationships, and help turn strategic direction into action.

We’re a diverse, collaborative team that values different perspectives, trusts people to make decisions in their work, and believes strong relationships are essential to strong service. Our team works across Washington and thrives in a remote environment grounded in collaboration, accountability, flexibility, and respect for individual strengths.

Within your first 6–12 months, you’ll focus on building team capability, strengthening customer and partner relationships, and identifying opportunities to improve how we deliver Talent Acquisition services across DSHS.

Some of what you’ll do:

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Talent Acquisition program and staff responsible for delivering services statewide.
• Coach, mentor, and develop professional staff, setting clear performance expectations and supporting continued growth and skill development.
• Monitor service delivery, resources, workload, and process flow to identify gaps and ensure timely and effective service.
• Provide technical guidance and oversight of Talent Acquisition processes and ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws, agency policies, rules, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Lead and support strategic business planning, projects, and program initiatives in partnership with the Talent Acquisition Administrator.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of Talent Acquisition services.
• Consult customers on Talent Acquisition services, hiring practices, and pre-employment matters.
• Identify and respond to customer needs, ensuring high-level needs and assignments are addressed.
• Maintain business continuity to support ongoing service delivery during interruptions or changing business needs.

What we’re looking for:

• Professional-level human resources experience with a strong background in Talent Acquisition, recruiting, or related pre-employment work.
• Experience in managing the performance of professional staff.
• Experience managing day-to-day operations and multiple priorities in a complex work environment.
• Ability to assess situations, look beyond the immediate request, and understand the larger context before determining a path forward.
• Experience identifying opportunities for process improvement and implementing changes that strengthen efficiency and effectiveness.
• Strong consultation, relationship-building, and influencing skills.
• Experience using information and data to understand operational needs and support sound decisions.
• Knowledge of employment laws, rules, policies, and practices related to hiring and the ability to explain their impact to others.
• A bachelor’s degree, preferably in business or human resource management. Relevant experience may substitute for education.

What success looks like

You’re curious enough to look beyond the immediate request and understand the larger story. You know when to step into the details and when to create clarity, set expectations, and empower someone else to lead. And you believe developing people, improving how work gets done, and delivering excellent customer service go hand in hand.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at [phone]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nebotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position