HR Specialist, Talent Acquisition

Illinois Human Resources Shared Services

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Talent Acquisition Specialist manages the recruitment process for assigned positions, helping the university attract and hire top talent in support of its strategic workforce goals. This position manages and coordinates search administration activities for IHR Shared Services, overseeing search tracking, documentation, compliance support, and administrative processes that support the university’s hiring processes. Partnering with hiring units and stakeholders throughout the search lifecycle, the specialist ensures searches are conducted efficiently, records are maintained accurately, and all activities comply with university policies and procedures. Through effective coordination, process management, and recruitment support, this role helps deliver a consistent, compliant, and efficient hiring experience while contributing to the university’s ability to build and sustain a high-performing workforce.

Duties & Responsibilities

Manage the full-cycle recruitment process for assigned positions, implementing search procedures aligned with best practices and compliance needs.

• Coordinate search activities from initiation through completion, ensuring required steps, approvals, documentation, and timelines are met while maintaining accurate search records, applicant data, and confidential files in accordance with university policies and retention requirements.
• Provide end-to-end operational support for search execution by independently tracking progress, proactively engaging hiring units and stakeholders, resolving system and process issues, and guiding users in the effective use of university hiring systems and procedures.
• Manage search logistics, including scheduling, meeting coordination, workflow tracking, documentation preparation, and end-of-search activities such as dispositioning, record retention, and closure.
• Support a broad range of searches (staff, faculty, and senior-level roles) and lead assigned search-related projects focused on workflow design, process implementation, and operational improvements.
• Reinforce equitable and consistent search practices by ensuring adherence to established procedures and promoting transparency and clarity across all stages of the process.
• Collaborate with campus HR offices, the Office for Access and Equity, and other partners to ensure compliance with university hiring policies and procedures.
• Identify and implement improvements to search administration processes, workflows, documentation practices, and service delivery.

Communicate with applicants and new hires, facilitating interviews, hiring, and onboarding processes.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for candidates and a key operational resource for hiring units, search committees, search firms, and campus partners, ensuring clear, timely, and consistent communication throughout the search process.
• Coordinate interview logistics, including scheduling, travel arrangements, itineraries, and full management of virtual and in-person interview processes.
• Manage candidate and stakeholder communications, including interview coordination, status updates, reference requests, offer-related communications, and regret notifications, ensuring consistent, professional, and equitable experience across all searches.
• Advise and support stakeholders on search procedures, system processes, and timelines, escalating complex issues as appropriate while maintaining strong working relationships across campus and external partners.

Operations and Process Administration

• Process appointment-related transactions, including changes, waivers, updates, and other personnel actions in accordance with university policies and procedures.
• Review and prepare appointment documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable requirements.
• Serve as a resource to units regarding appointment-related processes and documentation requirements.
• Conduct quality reviews of search documentation to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance with institutional requirements.
• Develop and maintain reports and metrics related to search activity, outcomes, and operational performance.
• Identify and implement improvements to search administration processes, workflows, documentation practices, and service delivery.
• Support special projects that advance departmental objectives and operational priorities.
• Provide administrative and operational support for additional HR functions as assigned.
• Maintain ongoing professional development to stay current on university policies, systems, and best practices.

Minimum Qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Any one or any combination totaling three (3) years (36 months) from the following categories:
   1. course work in human resource administration, business administration or a closely related field, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
      • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
      • Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
      • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
      • Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
   2. progressively more responsible work experience maintaining, monitoring, and/or processing human resource records and reports.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience managing complex administrative, human resources, or recruitment-related processes requiring a high degree of accuracy, attention to detail, and adherence to established policies, procedures, and deadlines.

• Experience managing a high volume of time-sensitive written communications for multiple stakeholders in a complex or fast-paced environment.

• Experience with university HR activities and systems such as Banner, HR Front End, Chrome River, and JDX/Cornerstone.

• Two years of work experience in higher education working with senior-level administration.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Confidentiality & Professionalism

• Proven ability to handle highly confidential and sensitive information with discretion and integrity.
• Strong professional demeanor for interacting with diverse stakeholders at all levels.

Organization & Attention to Detail

• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines with accuracy.
• Self-motivated and proactive, with a keen eye for detail and process improvement.

Communication & Collaboration

• Ability to communicate effectively to engage
  with applicants, hiring managers, and leadership.
• A relationship-builder who thrives in cross-functional teamwork and aligns efforts toward shared goals.
• Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment and knowing when to escalate issues appropriately.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 2136 - Human Resource Officer position. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search. The salary range for this position is $60,000 to $65,000 annually. We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of these elements. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on July 22, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. For full consideration, application materials should include a cover letter, current resume (including month/year employment dates), contact information for three professional references, and (if applicable) transcripts or proof of degree(s). Please ensure your resume highlights your qualifications/experience for this position. This may include professional, academic, volunteer, or other applicable experience that aligns with the responsibilities of this role.

In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact dgreen21@illinois.edu For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu

Requisition ID 1036909R
Job Category Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu