Executive Talent & Employment Brand Leader

Ulta Beauty, Inc.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 106,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Ulta Beauty, Inc. in Chicago seeks an Executive Recruitment & Employment Brand Manager to lead end-to-end executive search and elevate the company’s employment brand in the external market.

You will partner with senior leadership to build a diverse leadership bench, shape an EVP, and align talent strategies with growth and culture in a fast-paced retail environment. This role offers a hybrid work model and extensive leadership exposure.

Qualifications

• 8-12+ years of executive recruiting experience (corporate and/or retained search).
• Proven success placing VP+ leaders in complex, fast-paced organizations.
• Experience contributing to or leading employment branding or EVP initiatives.
• Strong executive presence and ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Deep sourcing expertise and established executive talent networks.
• Experience in retail, beauty, consumer, or omnichannel organizations.
• Background working cross-functionally with marketing/communications on employer brand.
• Experience supporting transformation, growth, or digital innovation environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end executive search for VP, SVP, and critical enterprise leadership roles across all enterprise functions.
• Translate growth strategy into forward-looking executive hiring plans.
• Build and maintain diverse, high-quality leadership pipelines aligned to succession priorities.
• Identify emerging leadership trends across retail, beauty, and consumer industries.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to Executive Committee members and senior leaders.
• Lead intake, calibration, and selection discussions with a focus on capability and culture alignment.
• Provide market insights and competitive positioning for executive hiring.
• Own and evolve Ulta Beauty’s executive employment brand strategy with HR, Communications and Marketing.
• Shape and articulate a compelling EVP aligned to purpose, growth, and culture.
• Ensure consistent, high-impact storytelling across materials and candidate interactions.
• Partner to activate the brand externally (thought leadership, talent mapping, industry engagement).
• Equip senior leaders with messaging to attract top talent.
• Strengthen Ulta Beauty’s positioning as a destination for diverse executive talent.
• Deliver a high-touch candidate experience reflecting brand and values.
• Drive seamless execution from outreach through offer and onboarding.

Skills

Executive recruiting

Employer branding / EVP

Executive presence

Sourcing networks

Retail/beauty/omnichannel

Cross-functional with marketing/comm

Transformation / digital innovation

Job description

Ulta Beauty, Inc. in Chicago seeks an Executive Recruitment & Employment Brand Manager to lead end-to-end executive search and elevate the company’s employment brand in the external market.

You will partner with senior leadership to build a diverse leadership bench, shape an EVP, and align talent strategies with growth and culture in a fast-paced retail environment. This role offers a hybrid work model and extensive leadership exposure.