Talent Brand & Operations Leader

CarMax Business Services; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 107,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site four days a week

Bonus eligibility

Equity eligibility

Job summary

CarMax is seeking a Sr. Manager, Talent Operations to shape and lead strategies for employer branding, recruitment marketing, and candidate experience.

You will partner with senior leaders to translate market insights into data-driven initiatives that advance the company’s talent agenda. The role requires strong strategic thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and a track record of delivering measurable outcomes in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in Talent Operations, HR Operations, Recruitment Marketing, or related function, including leadership of enterprise or cross-functional initiatives
• Proven experience leading strategic projects and operational improvements that support business priorities and drive measurable outcomes
• Strong experience conducting market research, competitive analyses, and vendor evaluations to inform talent strategy, technology decisions, and process optimization
• Excellent analytical, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional partners and use data to optimize operational performance
• Strong communication and presentation skills, tailoring messages for diverse audiences, and developing strong partnerships across the organization
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively, meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of talent technology platforms, talent tools, recruitment marketing tools, CRM systems or digital media channels used to attract and engage candidates

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the recruitment marketing and talent brand vision, strategy, goals, and KPIs to attract top talent and strengthen CarMax's employer position in the market
• Oversee recruitment marketing and employer brand activities end to end, including strategic planning, quarterly prioritization, intake governance, agency briefing, campaign direction, and execution oversight across channels
• Define and manage the Employer Value Proposition (EVP) pillars, ensuring messaging is differentiated, relevant, and consistently activated across talent acquisition, talent management, and candidate experience strategies
• Lead employer brand positioning across paid, owned, shared, and earned channels to ensure a cohesive and compelling candidate-facing narrative
• Monitor, assess, and optimize channel and campaign performance to ensure strategies drive awareness, engagement, and qualified applicant flow
• Serve as a strategic partner to Talent Acquisition and cross-functional leaders, ensuring recruitment marketing and talent operations priorities are aligned with enterprise business goals
• Lead strategic vendor management, including evaluating partner capabilities, setting expectations, driving accountability, and ensuring external partnerships deliver measurable value and innovation
• Own contract negotiations with agencies, media partners, and external vendors, securing favorable terms, service levels, and pricing aligned with business needs
• Oversee contract management processes for talent operations and recruitment marketing partners, including renewals, scope changes, compliance, and performance accountability
• Manage budgets at the strategic level, ensuring investments are aligned to priorities, resources are allocated effectively, and spend delivers business impact
• Conduct and synthesize market research to understand the market landscape and competitive landscape, including evolving trends related to Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, and Candidate Experience
• Translate external market intelligence, industry trends, and competitive benchmarking into recommendations that inform strategy, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Partner with senior stakeholders across communications, marketing, HR, procurement, legal, and finance to gain alignment, remove barriers, and advance high-impact initiatives
• Establish governance, processes, and success measures that enable scalability, consistency, and operational excellence across talent operations programs
• Provide leadership, direction, and prioritization guidance to ensure initiatives are executed effectively and in alignment with strategic objectives

Skills

Talent Operations

HR Operations

Recruitment Marketing

Vendor management

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

CRM

ATS

Tools

ATS

CRM

Career site

Job description

CarMax is seeking a Sr. Manager, Talent Operations to shape and lead strategies for employer branding, recruitment marketing, and candidate experience.

You will partner with senior leaders to translate market insights into data-driven initiatives that advance the company’s talent agenda. The role requires strong strategic thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and a track record of delivering measurable outcomes in a fast-paced environment.