Why is This a Great Opportunity?
This is an exciting time to join a rapidly growing organization during a pivotal period of product commercialization and national expansion. As a Principal Talent Acquisition Specialist, you’ll be a strategic partner in building high-performing teams, especially within commercial, sales, and specialty functions in the life sciences industry. This role provides the opportunity to influence and shape recruitment strategy at a high level, while still engaging directly with candidates and hiring managers. If you’re a seasoned recruiter with a passion for data-driven decision-making, employer branding, and full-cycle recruiting, this is a chance to make a measurable impact in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
Job Description:
The Principal Talent Acquisition Specialist is responsible for leading and executing end-to-end recruiting strategies across commercial, operational, and specialty functions, with an emphasis on high-volume recruiting for national sales teams and pharmaceutical roles. This role is hands-on and strategic, requiring a data-focused approach to optimize processes, enhance employer branding, and improve hiring outcomes.
Key Responsibilities:
• Partner with leadership to develop and execute full-cycle recruitment strategies aligned with business priorities.
• Manage high-volume hiring initiatives, particularly for commercial and sales roles.
• Collaborate with HR Business Partners, business leaders, and executives to align hiring with workforce plans.
• Optimize applicant tracking system (ATS) workflows and integrations.
• Oversee vendor relationships including recruitment marketing firms, RPOs, and external agencies.
• Provide real-time labor market insights, compensation trends, and diversity metrics to stakeholders.
• Develop and deliver recruiting dashboards and KPIs using Excel and reporting tools.
• Create and maintain recruiting process documentation, SOPs, and hiring manager training materials.
• Lead employer brand and recruitment marketing initiatives to support talent attraction.
• Coach hiring managers on interviewing techniques and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with recruitment policies, offer templates, contracts, and data integrity.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• 8+ years of experience in talent acquisition, including 2+ years recruiting in pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences industries.
• Proven track record of success in high-volume recruitment, particularly in commercial/sales hiring.
• Strong knowledge of recruiting analytics, employer branding, and candidate engagement strategies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, with strong analytical and reporting skills.
• Experience working with ATS and HRIS platforms.
• Excellent communication, project management, and stakeholder consulting skills.
• Ability to prioritize, adapt to change, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred:
• Familiarity with recruitment marketing platforms and digital sourcing tools (e.g., LinkedIn Recruiter, SalesLoft).
• Experience managing third-party recruitment vendors or RPO partnerships.
• Background in developing and executing diversity hiring strategies.