Talent Acquisition Specialist

BUILD, Inc.; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & dental insurance

401(k) with 2% employer match

paid vacation and wellness time

paid parental leave

company-paid vision and short-term/dis

voluntary long-term disability

whole life insurance

Job summary

BUILD, Inc. is seeking a Talent Acquisition Specialist on-site in Chicago to attract, recruit, and retain top talent aligned with our mission on the West Side.

You will partner with hiring managers and HR leadership to craft effective recruitment strategies and ensure a compliant, candidate-centered hiring process. You will screen candidates, coordinate interviews, manage background checks, and analyze hiring metrics to drive continuous improvement across the recruitment lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human resources management or related field.
• 2 years of experience as a talent acquisition specialist or similar role.
• Proficiency in Applicant Tracking Systems.
• Ability to liaise with internal departments and develop hiring strategies and profiles.
• Advanced knowledge of effective hiring platforms that attract suitable applicants.
• Exceptional ability to screen candidates, compile shortlists and interview candidates.
• Experience in creating awareness of the company brand and establishing professional relationships with candidates.
• Proficiency in documenting processes and keeping up with industry trends.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Developing strategies for acquiring new talent and sourcing candidates via job boards, social media, and referrals.
• Own end-to-end screening: resume review, phone screens, and interview coordination.
• Collaborate with hiring managers and HR leadership to align workforce needs and recruitment plans.
• Track recruiting metrics and report progress to leadership.
• Provide HR back-up support and ensure compliance with policies and laws.

Skills

ATS proficiency

Hiring strategy

Candidate screening

Interview coordination

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR

Tools

Applicant Tracking Systems

Job description

Description

About our company

BUILD, Inc. (Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development) is presently seeking a committed, self-motivated, and innovative individual to join our team. BUILD is a nationally respected gang intervention, violence prevention, and youth development organization based on Chicago’s West Side. Since 1969, BUILD has worked to save lives and mentor young people who live in the city’s most challenged neighborhoods. We set the bar high and lead by example, putting our values of respect, collaboration, and open communication into everything we do. When you work at BUILD you make an important difference to the thousands of youth and families we serve.

Our core Values: Empathy, Passion, Persistence and Innovation.

About the department

The Human Resources (HR) Department at BUILD, Inc., plays a vital role in supporting our mission by fostering a positive workplace culture, attracting and retaining top talent, and ensuring compliance with labor laws and regulations. We are dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion while providing comprehensive support for our staff.

Job Summary

The Talent Acquisition Specialist will play a crucial role in attracting, recruiting, and retaining top talent to support our mission. This position partners closely with hiring managers and HR leadership to understand workforce needs, develop effective recruitment strategies, and ensure a smooth, compliant, and candidate-centered hiring process. The role also provides cross-functional HR back-up support as needed to maintain continuity of HR operations.

Sourcing and Attracting Candidates

• Developing strategies for acquiring new talent.
• Analyzing the company’s hiring needs and anticipating future requirements.
• Collaborate with internal departments and hiring managers to determine recruitment requirements and candidate profiles.
• Using various channels (such as job boards, social media, and referrals) to source potential candidates.
• Representing the organization at job fairs and recruiting events.

Screening and Selection

• Manage the end-to-end candidate screening process, including resume review, initial phone screens, and coordination of interviews.
• Conduct candidate screening calls and email outreach to assess qualifications, interest, and cultural alignment.
• Assist with compiling interview questions and facilitating structured, compliant interview processes.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with applicants, candidates, and former employees.
• Ensure all recruitment and selection activities comply with applicable employment laws, regulations, and internal policies.
• Coordinate and monitor background checks and reference verifications, tracking completion and escalating issues as necessary.
• Managing hiring processes via electronic Applicant Tracking Systems.
• Facilitate pre-interview assessments as applicable.

Metrics and Reporting

• Track recruitment activity and key hiring metrics, including time-to-fill, candidate pipeline status, and source effectiveness.
• Prepare and provide regular reports and updates on hiring progress and recruitment trends to leadership.

Cross-Functional HR Support

• Provide administrative and operational back-up support to the HR Generalist, HRIS Specialist, and HR Director as needed.
• Assist with HR processes related to employee lifecycle activities, system updates, documentation, and compliance support during peak periods or staff absences.
• Collaborate with HR team members to ensure consistent service delivery and accurate information across HR functions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in human resources management, or related field.
• 2 years of experience as a talent acquisition specialist, or similar role.
• Proficiency in Applicant Tracking Systems
• Ability to liaise with internal departments and develop hiring strategies and profiles.
• Advanced knowledge of effective hiring platforms that attract suitable applicants.
• Exceptional ability to screen candidates, compile shortlists and interview candidates.
• Experience in creating awareness of the company brand and establishing professional relationships with candidates.
• Proficiency in documenting processes and keeping up with industry trends.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, phone use, and office equipment.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, or reaching.
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds.
• Occasional extended standing or walking during recruiting events or meetings.
• Visual ability to review electronic documents and data on computer.

Mental, Cognitive, and Temperament Demands

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Sustained attention to detail and accuracy when reviewing applications and maintaining records.
• Strong judgment and discretion when handling confidential information.
• Professional, calm, and solution-oriented temperament when interacting with candidates, hiring managers, and leadership.
• Emotional resilience and adaptability when navigating competing demands, change, and high-volume workloads.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for frequent interaction across the organization.

Benefits

• Medical & dental insurance
• company-paid vision and short-term disability
• voluntary long-term disability
• whole life insurance
• 401(k) with 2% employer match
• paid vacation and wellness time
• paid parental leave

Posting Statement

BUILD, Inc., does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits and training.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically prohibit employment. Rather, BUILD Inc., considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.

This organization reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

This position is based on-site; remote work is not available.

Pay Range: $53,000 - $55,000