Talent Acquisition Specialist

Summary: The Talent Acquisition Specialist is responsible for strategically sourcing, attracting, interviewing, and assessing top talent to fulfill the MCCA’s staffing needs. This role focuses on building robust talent pipelines through various channels while ensuring compliance with departmental and company policies. Utilizing data-driven insights, the Specialist will optimize recruitment processes and educate hiring managers on best practices. They will also prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging (DEIAB) initiatives, continuously refining recruitment metrics to support organizational growth. The Specialist will create a positive candidate experience and manage multiple recruitment initiatives, collaborating closely with hiring managers and stakeholders across departments.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: The Authority’s Chief Human Resources Officer may designate various other activities. The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time for any reason, including reasonable accommodation.

1. Talent Sourcing and Acquisition

• Proactively identify and attract qualified candidates through diverse sourcing methods, ensuring a robust talent pipeline for current and future vacancies.
• Develop and promote the MCCA brand to attract top talent, highlighting the organization’s values, culture, and opportunities.
• Utilize a variety of recruitment strategies, including job boards, social media applications, and community partners in recruitment and employer branding initiatives.
• Consistently research and recommend new sources for active and passive recruitment, building networks to find top talent.
• Manage the recruitment lifecycle for multiple roles simultaneously, including entry-level, mid-level, and executive positions.

2. Candidate Evaluation and Experience

• Conduct thorough assessments to evaluate candidates based on job-related criteria, skills, and cultural value-add.
• Perform comprehensive background checks on candidates to ensure integrity and compliance with organizational standards.
• Ensure a positive and engaging candidate experience from initial contact through onboarding and orientation, ensuring transparency and timely communication.
• Collaborate with hiring managers to develop and refine job descriptions and candidate criteria.

3. Compliance, Metrics, and Stakeholder Collaboration

• Ensure compliance with legal regulations, company policies, and best practices throughout the talent acquisition process.
• Serve as a talent advisor to educate and guide applicants, candidates, and stakeholders throughout the recruitment lifecycle.
• Utilize talent data to analyze metrics, identify trends, and make informed decisions to improve both recruitment and retention strategies and outcomes.
• Coach, train and educate hiring managers and teams on effective recruitment practices and alignment with organizational goals.
• Integrate DEIAB principles into talent acquisition strategies to foster an inclusive workplace culture.

Additional Duties

• Identify and conduct training sessions for hiring managers on interviewing and selection best practices.
• Prepare and present reports to HR leadership on recruitment activities and metrics as requested.
• Actively participate in and develop diversity and inclusion initiatives to enhance hiring practices.
• Stay updated on industry trends and best practices in talent acquisition to continuously improve processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Although this position does not have direct reports, it entails managing the recruitment lifecycle and providing training, guidance, and mentorship to hiring teams and relevant stakeholders.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Supervision is provided by the Chief Human Resources Officer and includes training, inspecting, assigning work, coaching, and performance evaluation. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Knowledge of talent acquisition principles and practices, including full-cycle recruitment, sourcing strategies, and candidate evaluation across varying role levels
• Knowledge of employment laws and regulations applicable to hiring, including equal employment opportunity requirements and background screening compliance
• Skill in building effective relationships with candidates, hiring managers, and cross-functional stakeholders, including the ability to coach and advise on interviewing techniques and selection best practices
• Skill in written and verbal communication, with the ability to represent the MCCA professionally in candidate-facing and internal contexts
• Ability to manage multiple requisitions simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, analyzing recruitment data and metrics to drive continuous improvement
• Ability to integrate DEIAB principles into sourcing strategies, employer branding, and hiring practices
• Proficiency in applicant tracking systems (ATS), digital sourcing tools, and Microsoft Office Suite

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

• Four (4) or more years of experience in talent acquisition, recruiting, or a closely related human resources function
• Demonstrated experience managing full-cycle recruitment across multiple roles simultaneously
• Experience utilizing ATS platforms and digital sourcing tools

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or a related field
• Six (6) or more years of experience in talent acquisition, with exposure to both hourly and exempt-level hiring
• Experience integrating DEIAB principles into recruitment strategy and employer branding initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to build talent pipelines and sourcing networks for hard-to-fill or high-volume roles
• Experience working in a public sector, quasi-public, or events-driven organization

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK SCHEDULE: Standard business hours, with the understanding that this position’s schedule may fluctuate based upon the needs of a particular event or project, which would require the ability to work a flexible schedule including late nights, early mornings, long days, weekends, and holidays. Travel to other MCCA facilities may be required.

All positions within the MCCA are designated as on-site roles. As such, this position requires in-person attendance five days per week. Remote or hybrid work arrangements are not part of MCCA's operational model.

DRESS CODE: Business formal. Employees are expected to project dignity and decorum appropriate for public-facing leadership roles through professional dress and grooming.

EMPLOYMENT AT-WILL: Employment with the MCCA is at-will. This means that either the employee or the MCCA may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, and nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to alter this at-will relationship.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) STATEMENT: The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome qualified applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected category.

If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact our Human Resources team.