Talent Acquisition & University/Industry Outreach

UNKNOWN; Dublin (OH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401k match

Student loan repayment

Job summary

Pepper Construction is seeking a Talent Acquisition & University Relations Specialist to build pipelines across Ohio and engage with colleges, universities, and industry partners. The role focuses on campus recruiting, internship programs, scholarships, and early‑career development, reporting to HR leadership.

You will partner with hiring managers, lead recruitment strategies, and travel across Ohio and Kentucky to meet universities and career fairs, while representing Pepper in educational

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Communications, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in talent acquisition, recruiting, university relations, campus recruiting, or a related talent function.
• Strong relationship-building, networking, and communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with candidates, hiring leaders, educational institutions, and industry partners.
• Experience developing talent pipelines, sourcing candidates, and leveraging recruiting technologies, market research, and talent attraction strategies.

Responsibilities

• Build talent pipelines across Ohio for all levels and roles.
• Partner with hiring leaders on workforce planning, recruiting strategies, and market insights.
• Source, assess, and engage qualified candidates through diverse recruiting channels.
• Develop candidate relationships to support current and future hiring needs.
• Monitor recruiting metrics, talent trends, and employer branding initiatives to improve hiring outcomes.
• Lead relationships with local colleges, universities, trade schools, workforce development organizations, and industry partners.
• Develop and execute campus, apprenticeship, and early-car eer recruiting strategies.
• Represent the organization at career fairs, trade school events, networking opportunities, and workforce development initiatives.
• Build partnerships with educators, career services teams, student organizations, and skilled trades programs to strengthen talent pipelines.
• Coordinate student engagement programs, scholarships, internships, apprenticeships, and employer branding activities to attract future talent.

Skills

Relationship‑building

Networking

Communication

Sourcing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business/Communications

Tools

ATS

Recruiting software

Job description

With offices in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio, Pepper Construction is a national general contracting and construction management firm that primarily serves the private sector. Pepper Construction provides clients the experience and resources of a national company, combined with the hands‑on approach of a local company.

Company Overview

Pepper leads the construction industry with an energy and ambition uncommon today. We pursue innovative methods and technologies that bring our clients’ visions to life, pairing them with a practical approach and 100 years of expertise. This combination delivers the precision, quality, and confidence that comes from partnering with a team dedicated to exceptional performance.

Talent Acquisition & University/Industry Relations Position Overview

Reporting to the Senior Director of Human Resources, the Talent Acquisition & University Relations Specialist will play a critical role in attracting, engaging, and recruiting top talent leading Ohio’s university and early‑career recruiting initiatives. This position will partner closely with hiring managers, educational institutions, and community organizations to build strong talent pipelines for current and future hiring needs. The ideal candidate is a relationship builder who thrives on networking, campus engagement, and talent sourcing. This role will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive recruiting strategies, with a particular focus on college and university partnerships, internship programs, scholarship initiatives, and early‑career talent development. The position requires a proactive, organized professional who enjoys representing the company in educational and community settings while fostering meaningful connections with students, faculty, and industry professionals.

This is the job in a nutshell

Talent Acquisition

• Build and maintain talent pipelines across Ohio for all levels and roles.
• Partner with hiring leaders on workforce planning, recruiting strategies, and market insights.
• Source, assess, and engage qualified candidates through diverse recruiting channels.
• Develop candidate relationships to support current and future hiring needs.
• Monitor recruiting metrics, talent trends, and employer branding initiatives to improve hiring outcomes.

University Relations, College Recruiting & Industry Outreach

• Lead relationships with local colleges, universities, trade schools, workforce development organizations, and industry partners.
• Develop and execute campus, apprenticeship, and early‑career recruiting strategies.
• Represent the organization at career fairs, trade school events, networking opportunities, and workforce development initiatives.
• Build partnerships with educators, career services teams, student organizations, and skilled trades programs to strengthen talent pipelines.
• Coordinate student engagement programs, scholarships, internships, apprenticeships, and employer branding activities to attract future talent.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Communications, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in talent acquisition, recruiting, university relations, campus recruiting, or a related talent function.
• Strong relationship‑building, networking, and communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with candidates, hiring leaders, educational institutions, and industry partners.
• Experience developing talent pipelines, sourcing candidates, and leveraging recruiting technologies, market research, and talent attraction strategies.

Location

This position is based in Ohio and requires regular travel to colleges, universities, career fairs, trade schools, company locations, and recruiting events throughout Ohio and Kentucky. Candidate should reside within a reasonable commuting distance of the Dublin, Ohio office and be able to travel as business needs require.
Pepper Construction is dedicated to offering our employees a comprehensive and best‑in‑class benefits package that prioritizes their physical, financial, and emotional well‑being. We offer medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance plans, a generous 401k match, and a student loan repayment benefit. In addition to paid time off for company holidays, vacation, and personal days, Pepper offers fully paid medical and parental leave, mental health services, and more.
For additional information, visit www.pepperconstruction.com
Please note: Pepper does not sponsor work visas.

Pepper Construction is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce.

We welcome all qualified applicants and encourage veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses to apply.

Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.