LEAD EXECUTIVE TALENT ACQUISITION SPECIALIST (BUREAU OF HUMAN RESOURCES) - SHAKMAN EXEMPT

Cook County Government; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cook County Government is looking for a Lead Executive Talent Acquisition Specialist to manage recruitment strategies for senior leadership roles. This position involves building a talent pipeline, conducting confidential searches, and advising senior leadership to align with the County’s strategic priorities. The role offers competitive pay and benefits in a vibrant, service-oriented environment.

Benefits

Top Tier Medical Benefits

Flexible Teleworking Options

Generous Paid Time Off

Pension Plan

Financial Support Programs

Health/Wellness Perks

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree or higher.
• Five years of staffing, recruiting, talent acquisition experience.
• Preferred: Seven years’ experience and familiarity with executive-level placement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute recruitment strategies for executive positions.
• Manage high-profile searches with discretion.
• Develop and maintain a talent pipeline for executive-level candidates.

Skills

Expertise in recruitment processes

Ability to provide senior-level expertise

Strategic thinking

Data analysis

Discretion and professionalism

Education

Bachelor's Degree or higher

Tools

Taleo or similar ATS

Job description

Job Description - LEAD EXECUTIVE TALENT ACQUISITION SPECIALIST (BUREAU OF HUMAN RESOURCES) - SHAKMAN EXEMPT (00137018)

Job Description

LEAD EXECUTIVE TALENT ACQUISITION SPECIALIST (BUREAU OF HUMAN RESOURCES) - SHAKMAN EXEMPT

Requisition ID

: 00137018

Job Posting

Closing Date

Job Posting

: Jun 12, 2025, 5:26:17 PM

Closing Date

: Ongoing Full-time Shift Start Time : 8:30 A.M. Shift End Time : 4:30 P.M.

Organization

Organization

: Offices Under the President

OVERVIEW

Cook County is seeking a Lead Executive Talent Acquisition Specialist to lead recruitment strategies for executive and senior leadership positions. The role is responsible for building and managing a strong talent pipeline, conducting high-level confidential searches, and advising senior leadership on best practices. This position ensures compliance with relevant regulations and collaborates with internal and external partners to attract top-tier talent aligned with the County’s strategic priorities. Additionally, the Specialist will support the development and implementation of the Shakman Exempt employment policy.

Cook County offers great benefits and the chance to participate in a strong tradition of public service. Cook County is home to more than five million residents, roughly 45% of Illinois’ population. Cook County Government provides a range of vital services and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents across the region. These services range from health care to urban planning. Cook County is committed to empowering its employees to bring our constituents the best that public service has to offer.

Attention Applicants: Please note that as part of ongoing job architecture initiatives, the County is reviewing job titles and corresponding grades, which may be subject to change.

WHYPURSUEACAREERWITH COOK COUNTY?

In addition to providing employees with a challenging, rewarding environment for career and personal growth, we are proud to also offer some of the best benefits in the public sphere, including:

• Top Tier Medical Benefits: Medical Plans, Prescription Drug Benefit, Dental Plans, Vision Plan and 7 Additional voluntary benefit plans
• Flexible Teleworking Options
• Generous, Flexible Paid Time Off (13 paid designated holidays; Minimum of 10 vacation days annually; Up to 4 personal days annually; and Paid sick leave)
  
• Pension Plan
  
• Financial Support Programs and Resources: Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts – Dependent Day Care, Commuter Benefits, Discounted Parking, PSLF Eligibility, Deferred Compensation and Education Tuition Stipend
• Health/Wellness Perks: Flexible Spending Accounts-Health Care, Employee Assistance Program and MyHealth Connections wellness program.

Please review carefully the Employee Benefits page. For benefits questions contact Risk Management at 312-603-6385 or email [e-mail].

SNAPSHOTOFCOOK COUNTY

• Serves 5.28 million residents of Chicago and its inner suburbs
  • 2nd largest county in America
  • Larger than 27 states
• Cook County employs over 22,000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades.
  • Nearly 80% unionized workforce
  • 15 unions represented
  • 63 separate collective bargaining agreements
• Highway – Cook County maintains almost 600 miles of roads and highways.
• Land – Cook County assesses the value of more than 1.5 million parcels of taxable land and collects and distributes tax funds as a service for local government taxing bodies.
• Safety – Cook County provides vital services to local government, from conducting elections in suburban areas to offering 911 services in unincorporated areas and municipalities.

LOCATION

Located in the Loop District of downtown Chicago, one of the most formidable business districts in the world, the area has an astounding number of cultural foundations, stunning parks such as Millennial Park and Maggie Daley Park, steps away from the Chicago Riverwalk, award-winning restaurants, and plenty of shopping! In addition, Chicago is serviced by multiple bus and train lines for public transportation from the suburbs to the city, taxis are plentiful, public parking garages for motorists, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for bicyclists.

ROLE SUMMARY

Responsible for driving the recruitment strategy for executive and senior leadership roles. Responsible for developing and maintaining a strong talent pipeline, managing high-level and confidential searches, and advising senior leadership. Ensures compliance standards and relevant regulations and collaborating with internal and external recruitment partners to obtain and attract talent aligning with the organization's goals and priorities. Provide guidance and support in the development and implementation of the Shakman Exempt employment policy.

KEYRESPONSIBILITIESAND DUTIES:

Lead and execute recruitment strategies for executive and senior leadership positions, aligning with organizational goals and leadership priorities.

Develop and maintain a talent pipeline for executive-level candidates through proactive sourcing and networking.

Handle confidential recruitment matters with discretion and professionalism.

Manage high-profile searches with a strategic and confidential approach to sensitive hiring decisions.

Advise senior leadership on hiring decisions, ensuring alignment with organizational leadership needs.

D evelop and refine policies related to recruitment, ensuring compliance with regulations and transparency.

Build relationships with external partners and represent the organization at industry events and discussions.

Lead and oversee various talent acquisition projects, ensuring effective execution and alignment with organizational goals.

Conduct data analysis by generating, modifying, and/or analyzing reports.

Create and present informational sessions on talent acquisition outcomes and initiatives .

KNOWLEDGE,SKILLSAND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of advanced skills in an area of expertise, to perform tasks with a high degree of proficiency.
  • Ability to provide senior-level expertise to employees.
  • Ability to serve as a reliable resource for other employees in an area of expertise.
  • Ability to provide process and technical guidance to a group of staff.
  • Knowledge of the principles and techniques of recruitment processes and industry-wide standards used to
  ensure a fair and equitable approach.
  • Ability to provide in-depth insight, advice and expertise to other professionals, management, and external
  contacts in an assigned functional area.
  • Ability to make sound decisions and adapt to a fast-paced and changing work environment.
  • Ability to identify gaps in systems and brainstorm optimal recommendations for future success.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree or higher and
  • Five (5) years of staffing, recruiting, talent acquisition, with a focus on executive or senior leadership level,candidate sourcing, recruitment or directly related experience or
  • An equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Seven (7) years of experience in staffing, recruiting, talent acquisition, with a focus on executive or senior leadership level candidate sourcing and recruitment.
  • Prior experience in sourcing and placing executive or senior leadership level candidates within a search firm.
  • Experience utilizing Taleo or a similar applicant tracking system.

Physical Requirements

Sedentary Work

Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order and the Cook County Personnel Rules, this position is exempt from the County’s career service rules, is at-will and political reasons or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman Exempt Position, if you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency within Cook County.