Senior Manager Talent Acquisition

The Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition leads INL's comprehensive recruiting strategy and operations, driving the attraction and hiring of world‑class scientific, engineering, and professional talent essential to advancing the laboratory's mission. This strategic leadership position manages a complex division with multiple functional disciplines, establishes operational policies, and directly impacts INL's ability to deliver on critical national energy and security priorities.

This is an in‑person leadership role based at Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls, . The position reports to the Director of Talent Engagement and requires regular on‑site presence to effectively lead the talent acquisition team and collaborate with laboratory leadership.

• Develop and execute talent acquisition strategies aligned with INL’s mission, workforce planning needs, and long‑term organizational goals
• Lead change management initiatives to modernize recruiting processes, enhance candidate experience, and improve operational effectiveness while building organizational awareness and buy‑in for transformation efforts
• Partner with laboratory leadership to anticipate future talent needs and build proactive pipelines for critical skill areas
• Drive data‑driven decision making through workforce analytics, market intelligence, and recruiting metrics that demonstrate measurable business impact
• Lead partnerships with universities, professional associations, and community organizations to build talent pipelines

• Oversee all aspects of talent acquisition operations including full‑cycle recruiting, coordination, compliance, and vendor management
• Manage division budget with far‑reaching impact on the business segment, ensuring resources are optimally allocated and performance standards are met
• Ensure adherence to applicable DOE orders and other federal contractor hiring requirements
• Establish and administer operational objectives, policies, procedures, and work plans, delegating assignments appropriately to subordinate leaders or managers
• Implement innovative sourcing strategies leveraging AI tools, recruitment marketing, and technology platforms to reach wide‑ranging talent pools

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing talent acquisition team through second‑level leaders, managing professional employees from a variety of backgrounds
• Apply situational leadership approaches to meet individuals where they are, adapting management style to team member needs and organizational context
• Foster a culture of accountability, customer service excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Conduct crucial conversations with empathy and directness, addressing performance issues and maintaining high standards while preserving relationships
• Monitor and assess team performance, providing coaching and taking corrective action as needed to drive results

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with hiring managers, HR business partners and the broader HR ecosystem, and leadership across all INL directorates
• Interact regularly with senior management on matters concerning talent acquisition, workforce planning, and organizational effectiveness
• Apply knowledge and persuasive skills to drive consensus among stakeholders on recruiting strategies and departmental outcomes
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on talent market conditions, competitive intelligence, and hiring strategies
• Navigate complex, sensitive situations while preserving critical working relationships

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in talent acquisition or related field(s) with at least 2 years in management/leadership roles
• Demonstrated success leading talent acquisition functions in complex organization(s)

Deep knowledge of talent acquisition best practices, business and management principles, federal employment regulations, and HR…