Faculty Talent Acquisition Operations Specialist

Colorado State University; Fort Collins (CO); Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University seeks an experienced Faculty Talent Acquisition Operations Specialist to lead faculty recruitment processes, advise stakeholders, and ensure compliant, efficient hiring across the university. The role collaborates with the Provost’s Office, HR partners, and academic leadership to support complex searches and improve recruitment workflows.

The position will be onsite with hybrid work options in Fort Collins, CO, and requires strong communication, policy interpretation,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with 4+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience supporting faculty recruitment, academic personnel, or higher education HR.
• Ability to interpret policies and communicate with stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Independently administer faculty talent acquisition processes and documentation.
• Counsel hiring managers and search committees on complex or non-routine searches.
• Analyze recruitment processes to identify risks and opportunities for improvement.

Skills

Effective communication

Organizational skills

Collaborative teamwork

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Workday ATS

Job description

Position Summary

The Faculty Talent Acquisition Operations Specialist provides specialized talent acquisition expertise and operational support for the recruitment and hiring of exceptional faculty across the University. By ensuring efficient, compliant, and effective faculty search and hiring processes, this position plays a critical role in advancing CSU’s ability to attract and secure top academic and research talent. The specialist independently oversees faculty-specific talent acquisition operations, serving as a subject matter expert on faculty hiring processes, policies, and best practices.

The position regularly collaborates with the Office of the Provost, academic leadership, HR partners, and other University stakeholders to facilitate successful faculty searches, promote a positive candidate and hiring team experience, and support institutional hiring goals. As a Talent Acquisition representative, the specialist provides guidance, consultation, and recommendations on faculty recruitment and hiring activities, helping stakeholders navigate complex requirements and translate institutional requirements into effective hiring practices. The Specialist applies professional judgment to complex and sensitive situations, identifies appropriate solutions, and recognizes matters requiring additional consultation or leadership involvement. This position will be onsite with the possibility for hybrid work.

At Colorado State University, the Division of Human Resources supports employees and leaders across the university throughout the employee experience. Our work helps CSU attract, develop, engage, and retain the people who advance the university’s mission of teaching, research, service, and extension. We are continuing to strengthen how HR works across CSU by building a more connected HR experience, creating greater clarity and consistency, growing our HR community, and evolving how we work to meet the university’s future needs. Learn more about the Division of Human Resources, our work, and the values that guide how we serve CSU at: https://hr.colostate.edu/about-hr/our-values/ .

Job Duties

Faculty Hiring & Specialized TA Operations

• Independently administer faculty talent acquisition processes.
• Review faculty offers and related hiring documentation for accuracy and alignment with applicable University requirements, exercising judgment to identify concerns, resolve discrepancies, and determine readiness for approval.
• Evaluate complex, sensitive, or non-standard faculty hiring situations and collaborate with appropriate University partners to identify requirements, options, and an appropriate path forward.

Consultation & Stakeholder Support

• Advise hiring managers, search committees, HR partners, and other stakeholders on faculty recruitment processes, requirements, and complex or non-routine search situations.
• Interpret applicable regulations, policies, procedures, and practices and recommend appropriate approaches when established processes do not fully address the circumstances.
• Serve as a resource on faculty recruitment operations, helping stakeholders navigate recruitment systems, processes, approvals, and search requirements.

Process & Program Improvement

• Analyze faculty recruitment processes and recurring issues to identify trends, risks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and implement improvements to faculty recruitment workflows, resources, documentation, systems, and stakeholder guidance.
• Contribute faculty recruitment subject-matter expertise to Talent Acquisition projects, system enhancements, training, and other cross-functional initiatives.

Other

Perform other duties as assigned.

Conditions of Employment

• Pre-employment Background Check

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree OR a combination of education and relevant experience totaling 4 years.
• Three years of professional experience supporting faculty affairs, academic personnel administration, higher education human resources, talent acquisition operations, employee lifecycle processes, or other complex administrative functions in a higher education environment.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and consistently apply policies, procedures, and established guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels of an organization, from day-to-day operational partners to executive leadership
• Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.

Demonstrated ability to build collaborative working relationships across diverse stakeholder groups and influence outcomes without direct authority.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting faculty recruitment, academic hiring, or faculty affairs in a higher education environment.
• Knowledge of faculty appointment types, academic ranks, tenure-tracking hiring processes, and/or faculty employment practices.
• Experience with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) (Workday, etc.).
• Experience supporting search and hiring processes.
• Ability to answer questions, explain processes clearly, and provide timely, professional support to stakeholders.

Salary Range

$68,000 - $78,000

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.